Directors Take On Skiing Utah and Utah Ski Resorts

When I talk to people about my upcoming ski holiday they always assume I am heading to Japan or Whistler.

Straight away they start rattling off a story about their mate who had just returned from epic skiing in Hakuba or their sister who had the deepest powder in Whistler. When I tell them I’m heading to Utah, the response is always the same: ‘Why Utah?’

I love that question. Why Utah? Where do I start?

I’ve been skiing and snowboarding the Utah ski resorts for years and will continue to do so hopefully well into my 90s. There’s so much terrain to explore, you can keep going back year after year without feeling like you’ve been there, done that.

Utah ski resorts have variety, not just in resort selection, but in its dining, shopping, off-snow activities, on-snow activities, after-snow destinations… Plus, I love that you’re not confined to the one resort village constantly running into the same boisterous clan at the bar; you get around and explore. Each Utah ski resort you visit, you meet new people on the lifts, hook up with the locals who show you their favourite spots or the safe tracks to hike, there’s no secrets!

After eight years’ skiing Utah, this year I was still skiing places I’ve never skied before at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and Snowbasin Resorts.

Over the years I’ve had awesome snow, 36 inches in one day at Snowbasin Resort, nine feet over a seven-day period. For good measure I’ve also had extremely dry conditions and even hail.

This is what skiing Utah and the Utah ski resorts is all about. Different conditions to push you on the mountain and encourage you to visit different resorts. The varying conditions will get you on piste, off piste, enjoying the groomed trails, and exploring the terrain parks.

If it’s a powder day I’ll often head to Solitude Resort; it’s quiet, gets a lot of snow and has great terrain. The same goes for Brighton Resort, it’s just slightly smaller.

If I’m lucky enough to be lodging at Snowbirds Cliff Lodge or Little Cottonwood Canyon isn’t closed on the day of a storm, you’ll find me at Snowbird or Alta. These two resorts have seriously intense terrain. Whilst a lot of people will head there for the big powder days, if you stick to the trees you can get fresh tracks for a fair chunk of the day.

If it’s a bluebird day I’ll ski Snowbasin Resort. It’s a resort that you can enjoy in any condition, awesome groomers (Olympic downhill trail) and good off-piste skiing on a powder day, even when it’s chopped up.

I’ll also ski Canyons Resort on days like this. You can ski the tight, steep groomers, hike up Murdock’s Peak or ski the bowls off Ninety- Nine 90. If I’m up for some leg burning I’ll attempt Canis Lupus a 400 metre long, natural halfpipe.

If it’s toward the end of my trip I’ll ski the terrain parks at Park City Mountain Resort, they have a pipe to boot! I also love skiing Scott’s bowl and the trees at McConkeys they offer good steep pitch and some tight lines.

If it’s a day or even days after a storm I’ll go to Deer Valley or Powder Mountain. At Deer Valley Resort everyone sticks to the groomed trails- yes even on a powder day. At Powder Mountain, no one is there. The resort is big and has amazing off-piste skiing.

If it’s a Sunday and I’m looking to relax I’ll visit Sundance Resort, skiing the morning then indulging in the Sunday brunch at the Foundry Grill.

The best advice I can offer for Utah is follow the snow, follow the sun, follow the terrain- get out and explore all the Utah ski resorts. Why ski one resort when you can easily ski ten? It’s well set up to get around without requiring a car. Base yourself in Park City and do day trips or split your time up between the areas.

Skiing brings out the highest of high fives, the best stories and the biggest smiles. Over the years I’ve learnt that I love the powder, the chop, the jumps, the après, the burn. And the reason I love all of this is because of skiing Utah.