Snowbasin

Huntsville, UT

click to see a large trail map

Snowbasin is one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the nation. Ever since the first skier in 1939, people from all over the United States and elsewhere have come to enjoy the Utah powder snow and mountain scenery. The first chair lift was put into operation in 1946 after a four-year war delay. The mountain gradually gained in popularity but never enough to take full advantage of its potential, which included some wide-open expert terrain and a great deal more vertical. Even with easy access to Salt Lake City and 400" of snow a year the mountain languished. Enter the owners of Sun Valley in 1984. They brought some of the panache of Sun Valley and a great deal of expertise and vision to bear on Snowbasin, with notable results. Modern lifts and handsome lodges appeared, a great deal of snowmaking was installed, and the terrain and vertical were increased. The latter by so much that Snowbasin became the choice for the 2002 Winter Olympic downhill events, with two courses, Grizzly and Wildflower, designed by Bernhard Russi.TerrainMere mortals can ski these courses, both of which are rated black diamonds (at mere mortal speeds, of course) and there are more black diamond trails, with some 30% of the mountain rated advanced or expert. The truly expert terrain includes De Moisy, Allen's Peak and No Name, and John Paul, all high up on the mountain complex. The intermediate terrain is extensive. The Strawberry Express and Middle Bowl Express Gondolas give access to more than 2300 vertical feet of fine blue square cruising. The former lift serves two intermediate classics in Elk Ridge and Main Street.

From Ski

"Steeps, powder, cruisers, luxe lodges. I like the way it is: unknown."

In ski resorts, like real estate, it's all about location. Snowbasin is slightly off the beaten track - 33 miles northeast of Salt Lake City. Those miles put Snowbasin in the outer orbit of seven other major ski areas. "Still quiet and not crowded," approves one visitor. "Middle of nowhere," grouses another. But once skiers do arrive, they tend to agree that this mountain is a Whitman's Sampler of tree runs, groomers and short-but-scary steeps splayed across 3,830 acres and nearly 3,000 vertical feet. The high-speed lift system (No. 1) installed for the 2002 Winter Olympics, the sometimes startling No. 2 On-Mountain Food (Tuscan suckling pig, anyone?) and the three over-the-top daylodges ("most beautiful bathrooms of any ski resort") are other reasons that those who find Snowbasin keep coming back. "One of the best mountains I have ever skied," gushes one customer. But there's a reason Snowbasin remains mired in middling ratings. "No base amenities," a reader kvetches - including a hotel. Which may keep this place a "best-kept secret" a little longer. - Chris Solomon

The Latest
A high-speed quad replaces the aged Little Cat lift, serving beginner terrain.

Local Secret
Many skiers never see the powder in lower-mountain crannies; after skiing DeMoisy Peak, traverse out Philpot Ridge and dive into lower-mountain shots like Bear Wallow.

Mandatory Run
Main Street is a quintessential Snowbasin groomer: Usually sunny, always buffed, rarely peopled, it's a top-to-bottom acceleration-fest that your GS skis will beg you to ride again and again.