Snowbird

Also known as: The Bird

Little Cottonwood Canyon; Hidden Peak

Difficulty 5 (Expert)Expert / powder destinationSingle steep canyon resort
Vertical drop
988 m
Top elevation
3,353 m
Lifts
11
Runs
169
Majestic snow-covered ski slope surrounded by forested mountains in the United States.

Can the whole group come?

Who in your group gets a good week at Snowbird - the terrain split, the ski school, and what the people not skiing do.

Beginner 27%Intermediate 38%Advanced 35%
Terrain split

Beg 27 / Int 38 / Adv 35 (steep Cirque, chutes, Mineral Basin)

Group split options

Chickadee/Baby Thunder beginner areas (limited given steep terrain)

If you are not skiing

Scenic Tram rides, Cliff Spa, tubing

Childcare

Yes (Camp Snowbird / Kids Adventures)

Ski school & rental

Yes (incl. Mountain School)

Accessibility & group fit

Steep sustained expert; a benchmark hard mountain

Snow & season

Very high - ~500 in / 1,270 cm avg (light, dry powder)

Open window

Typically late Nov to late May (one of the longest US seasons)

Best season

Jan-Mar (deep powder)

Peak vs quiet

Peak Christmas/New Year, powder days, weekends; midweek quieter

Snow & surface

Steep chutes, deep powder

Weather risks

Canyon road avalanche closures/traction law; storm cycles

The mountain

Skiable area

2,500 ac

Runs & pistes

169

Off-piste & backcountry

Steep tram-served chutes and cirque; Mineral Basin

Crowds

Busy powder days; canyon access constraints

Getting there & lift pass

Adult day ~$149-229 window (Ikon Pass)

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Getting there

Salt Lake City (SLC) ~40 min up Little Cottonwood Canyon

Transfer & shuttle

Canyon road (subject to avalanche closures/traction law); UTA ski bus

On-mountain dining

Yes (The Summit at Hidden Peak, Mid-Gad)

Facilities

Base lodges; SLC valley services below

Operators

SLC / Little Cottonwood hub; adjacent Alta

Patrol & safety

Ski patrol & avalanche

Intensive avalanche program (canyon + resort)

Hazards

Canyon avalanche closures; 2025/26 lift-served operating status reported conflictingly - confirm

Emergency & rescue

Intermountain facilities in SLC valley (~30-40 min)

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand ski resort report. Coordinates are approximate.

Also in United States

Ski Snowbird with your crew
Manta plans the resort, the lessons and the non-skiing days so a mixed-ability group all get a great week.
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