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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah residents boast housing the world’s greatest snow, and there’s a reason for that.
Forbes recently deemed three of Utah’s ski resorts to be in the top 10 ski resorts in North America for 2015.
Alta Ski Area, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort and Solitude’s rankings were based on the “Pure Awesomeness Factor,” according to Forbes.
“It’s how we grade resorts — and it’s the most pure mathematical expression for awesomeness as has been conceived in the universe,” Forbes reported.
Forbes ranked the resorts on skiable acreage, efficiency of lifts, town and ambience and snow and terrain.
Here are some of Utah’s most recognized resorts:
Alta
Opening in 1938, Alta is one of Utah’s oldest ski resorts, according to Ski Utah. Alta is known as a mountain for purists, and it’s one of three resorts in the United States that only allows skiers to tread its terrain. Forbes reported that Alta gets an average of 540 inches of snow per year. Guests can book lodging at condos, base lodges or vacation homes. Alta offers accommodations for the whole family, including ski lessons for children, youths and adults.
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Snowbird
Located just west of Alta in Little Cottonwood Canyon is Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort. Powder Hounds awarded Snowbird for having the best powder. Forbes called the resort’s tram the second best lift in the world, adding that Snowbird has a European touch to it. Four lodges reside near Snowbird, offering accommodations like hot tubs, restaurants and lounges to its inhabitants. Day camp, nursery and in-room baby-sitting are available to skiers with young children.
Solitude
Ski Utah claims Solitude is just as peaceful as its name and Forbes praises it for being far less crowded than Alta and Snowbird. In addition to hosting some of the state’s best powder as deemed by Powder Hounds, Solitude houses a European-style village that includes a variety of restaurants, saunas, a heated pool and a collection of games. Solitude also offers multiple family friendly winter activities such as a guided snowshoeing tour, stargazing and a storytelling session about the resort’s rich history.
Canyons
On The Snow gave Canyons a 4-star rating for its overall terrain, but skiing and snowboarding aren’t the only winter activities the Park City resort offers. Families can learn to snowshoe, cross-country ski and snowmobile at Canyons in addition to participating in fly fishing, ziplining and dog sledding. And for the real daredevils out there, there’s heli-skiing. Plenty of upscale resorts reside near Canyons, and there are several restaurants to boot.
Deer Valley
Deer Valley provides first-rate accommodations to its guests, according to Ski Utah. Deer Valley provides ski valets, on-site childcare and an award-winning ski school. More than 40 lodges and other housing accommodations are available for guests, and the mountain offers more than 101 runs for its skiers. This year, Deer Valley is hosting the Freestyle Ski World Cup, where the public can watch skiers race Olympic runs for free.
