The 2015-16 season is huge for upgrades and new programs at Utah’s 14 ski resorts! Over $100 million in on-mountain capital improvements are coming to state this year, including the biggies of combining of Canyons and Park City into America’s largest resort and Snowbird’s new mountaintop dining facility. Get the details on the rest here with more info available at skiutah.com.
ALTA
Upgrades aren’t planned at Alta this season, but it’s worth mentioning that their popular program of cheap skiing after 3 p.m. on Sunnyside, Albion, and Cecret is still offered! The ticket is just $10 the first time with $5 recharges after that! It’s a great way to teach new skiers affordably too! alta.com
BRIAN HEAD
The University Program is a risk-free way for first-time skiers or snowboarders of all ages to get into the sport. They guarantee their Terrain Based Learning program will have newbies skiing or riding in just three lessons, or your money back. brianhead.com
BRIGHTON RESORT
Bring ‘em young! This year Brighton is increasing its ‘ski free’ age to 10 years (was 8) and younger so the whole family can afford to ski. They’re also offering two free learn to ski or snowboard days in December, making it the perfect time to introduce kids to wintersports. brightonresort.com
CHERRY PEAK RESORT
Utah’s newest resort is opening this season in Northern Utah! Located just 15 miles from Logan, the resort features three triple chairlifts, comprehensive snowmaking, and a 1.25 mile-long-run. The three-story day lodge will host events year-round. skicherrypeak.us
DEER VALLEY
Deer Valley took over operations of Solitude in May and are focusing most of their attention and dollars on upgrades there this year. deervalley.com
EAGLE POINT
Rent-a-Resort in Southern Utah’s Tushar Mountains this winter! Available Tuesday–Thursday from January 5–April 3, 2016. eaglepointresort.com
PARK CITY
Vail Resorts is transforming Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort this season with $50 million in upgrades, including connecting the two resorts to create Park City, the largest resort in the United States. The centerpiece of these extensive upgrades is the Quicksilver Gondola, an eight-passenger gondola that leaves from the bottom of Silverlode on the Park City side of the mountain and ends at Flat Iron on the former Canyons side. Lifts are being upgraded too, including King Con, a four-person lift that will be replaced with a six-person high-speed detachable chair. The Motherlode lift is being upgraded from a fixed-grip triple to a four-person high-speed detachable.
On the dining side, a new eatery called Miners Camp replaces PCMR’s Snow Hut next to the new Quicksilver Gondola. It includes 500 indoor seats and a top-of-the-line kitchen. On the former Canyons Resort side, Red Pine Lodge will be renovated to add 250 additional indoor seats. Additional snowmaking to account for gondola traffic rounds out the ambitious plan.
Park City also just launched Epic SchoolKids in Utah, which gives all Utah kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade five free days of skiing and riding at Park City. It includes a free lesson during the month of January as well. parkcitymountain.com
POWDER MOUNTAIN
Near Powder Mountain in Eden is the best new spot for après-ski eats: North Fork Table & Tavern. The restaurant features beautiful views of the reservoir, a full-service bar, and communal seating. And the menu has gourmet ski food favorites like wood-fired pizzas and inventive appetizers. northforktableandtavern.com
SNOWBIRD
Tram riders will love 460-degree views at Summit Lodge, the new two-story glass enclosure facility at the top of Hidden Peak. Guests can dine and relax at 11,000′ in the building which houses a coffee/pastry shop, cafeteria, Ski Patrol, and restrooms. There are almost 400 seats inside and a 10,000-square-foot outdoor deck. The Lodge will open in time for ski season. snowbird.com
SNOWBASIN RESORT
Celebrating 75 years this winter, Snowbasin has three big celebrations planned for their guests: Proclamation Day on November 27, which will mark the official day of the 75th Anniversary; the 75th Anniversary Release Party on December 16 where they’ll unveil the signature 75th Anniversary beer and whiskey; and the 75th Birthday Celebration on January 8 that will feature children’s activities, live music, and birthday cake! snowbasin.com
SOLITUDE
Deer Valley officially took ownership in May and is planning a list of capital improvements, the most exciting of which is a new high-speed quad Summit Express chairlift to replace the current fixed-grip double chairlift. This provides quicker, easier access to Honeycomb Canyon, an in-bound area that skis like the backcountry. They also built a new run from the top of the Apex Express chairlift to the bottom of the new Summit Express, shortening the travel time to Honeycomb Canyon. Deer Valley is also revamping and remodeling the Moonbeam Lodge Restaurant, and completely updating the menus at all resort restaurants. skisolitude.com
