Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SOLITUDE — Solitude Mountain Resort officials had already made it clear that the resort would switch to a parking reservation system this season, but resort officials on Thursday provided more details about how the system will work as they seek to curtail ongoing traffic congestion issues in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Beginning Dec. 15, skiers and snowboarders will have to reserve their parking spots for any trips before 11 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as any "holiday periods." It costs $35 for any vehicle with three or fewer people inside. Parking is free for any vehicle with four or more people inside.
All reservations can be made online.
The resort will transition to the more traditional space available parking model between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on those days, with the same cost structure in place. There are no reservations or fees required for anyone looking to park after 1 p.m.
The reservation protocol will remain in place through April 14, 2024. Amber Broadaway, Solitude Mountain Resort's president and chief operating officer, said in a statement that she believes changes are "better for our guests" and the canyon overall.
"Parking reservations mean guests no longer need to arrive long before the lifts open, fewer cars in the canyon because nobody is being turned away when lots fill and more even traffic flow throughout the day," she said. "This will improve the experience for everyone."
The reservation system isn't much of a surprise for Solitude's visitors, as the resort announced in March that it would explore the idea further after a record-setting season for most Utah resorts. Powder magazine reported in August that the resort would go ahead with the new system, but details about how it would be implemented were still hazy at the time.
Broadaway explained that visitors had asked for the system and "constructive feedback" over the past several months helped craft the policy announced Thursday.
It's the latest effort aimed at fixing congestion issues that have plagued the Cottonwood Canyon for years. Solitude, which first implemented paid parking as one potential solution in 2019, joins its neighbor, Brighton Resort, which will also implement a parking reservation system this season.
Brighton Resort announced over the summer that it will require parking reservations from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. once it opens for the winter. Reservations are free for Brighton season pass holders and $20 per vehicle among those without a season pass. Parking is otherwise free after 1 p.m.
Both resorts are working with the Utah Transit Authority and Salt Lake County to help increase ski bus and shuttle service options this year as other ways to reduce vehicle traffic. It comes as the county is cracking down on illegal parking in the canyon, raising fines from $25 to a range between $75 and $150.
The town of Brighton is also requiring parking reservations for parking along state Route 190 between the Willow Heights trailhead and Guardsman Pass Road, Solitude officials point out.
Meanwhile, Solitude is implementing other parking changes this season. Resort officials said they are tweaking their midweek parking policy, requiring a $20 parking fee for all vehicles that arrive before 1 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Parking is free for all vehicles with at least four passengers, and free for everyone after 1 p.m.
Resort officials add that Solitude and Ikon Pass holders can also ride UTA's ski bus for free, or use the resort's carpool app to find drivers with extra seats open, as other ways to reduce traffic congestion.
The resort is tentatively slated to open its slopes for the season on Nov. 17.
