MAIN Sports Skiing Utah Ski Resorts & Snow Reports

With an average annual snowfall of 500 inches (and a record 700" during the 2007-2008 season) Utah boasts "The Greatest Snow on Earth" and remains a mecca for winter sports adventurers from the US and around the world.

As the snow piles on, so do the skiers, who have a choice of 13 major ski resorts all within an hour's drive or so from Salt Lake City.

The closest, and one of the most luxurious of Utah ski & snowboard resorts is The Canyons, just 30 minutes away from SLC offering more than 3,000 acres of variable terrain on 8 mountains with 155 trails, two state-of-the-art terrain parks and six halfpipes. Nearby, Park City Mountain Resort is another of the largest in the state featuring a wide variety 100 trails suited to every ability from beginner to expert.

Also within an easy drive from Salt Lake City, the 3,200 skiable acres at Snowbasin encompasses one of the oldest resorts in the country offering breathtakingly beautiful scenery and 113 trails. Despite its role as the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, fun winter adventure is the order of the day at Snowbasin which also offers world class snowboarding terrain, snow tubing runs and cross country trails.

For really serious skiing (snowboarding NOT allowed) the Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon is 45 minutes from SLC boasting some of the deepest best dry powder in the state, with some the most skilled skiers in the country attracted to Alta's 10,550 ft.elevation and 2,020 ft drop. Along with some of the most challenging terrain anywhere, Alta also features great beginner and intermediate terrain.

More about Utah ski resorts around the Web:

Ski Utah - Your first stop for major ski resort information current snow reports, trip planning, lodging and vacation package deals, related event calendar, photos & videos.

Utah Ski Resorts - The state's official travel site featuring at-a-glance information for all ski resorts including maps, photos, mountain stats, snowboarding info and related resources.

OnTheSnow.com - Good overview plus statistical comparisons of more than a dozen major Utah ski resorts including current weather, snow and surface conditions, star-rated visitor reviews and photos.

also see related features -> Expert Skiing Tips

Fitness & Training for Skiers | How to Choose the Right Skis

How to Ski | How to Buy the Right Ski Boots