Solitude Skiing & Snowboarding Resort Guide
True to its name, Solitude Resort is known for its deep powder and uncrowded slopes. The ski and snowboard area has laid-back vibes and great terrain for a wide variety of ability levels. It’s also connected to neighboring Brighton, with a shared lift tickets available. Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will plenty of terrain to explore, will the various ridges that flank the resort’s boundaries hold fun advanced terrain. It’s smaller than many of Utah’s other ski and snowboard resorts at 1,200 acres, however there is plenty of awesome skiing and snowboarding to be had.
Solitude packs a lot of punch into its 1,200 skiable acres, with great advanced and expert terrain all over the mountain. Beginners have limited options at Solitude, however, the learning areas are great for those skiers and snowboarders just getting started. The Link and Moonbeam chairs are where this terrain is located.
Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will want to head to the Sunrise and Apex chairlifts for some great cruising and groomed runs. Eagle express is another good spot for intermediates, with some options to step up to advanced riding.
The Summit Express chairlift serves the majority of Solitude’s advanced and expert terrain. There is a huge selection of terrain off of this lift, with a ton of fun skiing and snowboarding. Just off of the lift, the trees of Black Forest to the skier’s left, and Headwall to the right are both stellar options. These options tell the tale of the Summit Lift, the farther to either side you traverse the longer the powder lasts, and the better the terrain. Each of the chutes and bowls out in Honeycomb Canyon are a ton of fun. Skiers and snowboarders can traverse out until dropping in looks good. On a powder day, everything looks good though! There is also some expert terrain down lower on the Powderhorn lift, Milk Run is the steepest run over here, with lots of cliffs in the area.
Driving from Salt Lake City, Solitude is a quick 45 minutes up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Skiers and snowboarders don’t have to deal with the drive if they don’t want to, however, the Utah Transit Authority operates a bus the goes from Salt Lake City up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton. The canyon can be closed shortly after big snowstorms, although it doesn’t close as often as Little Cottonwood Canyon. So make sure to check in with UDOT on the Big Cottonwood Canyon Road Status before heading out from Salt Lake City.
Travel Resources:
UTA Ski Bus
Road Conditions
Driving from Salt Lake City, Solitude is a quick 45 minutes up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Skiers and snowboarders don’t have to deal with the drive if they don’t want to, however, the Utah Transit Authority operates a bus the goes from Salt Lake City up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Brighton. The canyon can be closed shortly after big snowstorms, although it doesn’t close as often as Little Cottonwood Canyon. So make sure to check in with UDOT on the Big Cottonwood Canyon Road Status before heading out from Salt Lake City.
UTA Ski Bus
Road Conditions
Solitude has the most variety of lodging options in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Along with the great beginner and intermediate infrastructure, these lodging options make Solitude an awesome Utah family ski and snowboard destination. Salt Lake City, just down the Canyon has tons of options for lodging and a great base to explore multiple Utah ski and snowboard resorts.
Solitude Lodging Overview
Our Favorite Snowboards for Solitude
Local Food Picks
For hungry skiers and snowboarders, Solitude has a nice array of on-mountain dining options. A refined attitude towards food lends to some tasty food and options a little more sophisticated than a typical ski area cafeteria. In the village there are options ranging from the fine dining St. Bernard’s, to the casual Stone Haus Pizzeria. The Thirsty Squirrel is the preferred apres ski bar in the village. Solitude Dining
Our Favorite Skis For Solitude
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Solitude?
Another compelling reason to visit Solitude is the very affordable price of lift tickets. Solitude ski and snowboard lift tickets are among the cheapest in Utah, they can be half the price of ski and snowboard areas like Park City. Buying lift tickets online ahead of time is a good way to get the cheapest lift tickets.
Solitude Weather Information
Solitude receives an incredible 500” of average annual snowfall. That is equal to 41 feet of deep and dry Utah powder every winter. The lack of crowds and traverses to the expert terrain mean that this snow stays good after storms, although you’ll still want to get out of bed early to get the goods, or the hard charging locals will beat you to it. Make friends with them at the Thirty Squirrel or on the lift, and they may let you in on the secret stashes, however.SolitudeSki Report
Solitude Forecast
With 500” of average annual snowfall, few crowds and some very fun terrain, Solitude is a great Utah destination for powder hounds. Meanwhile, the nice little village and low prices make the ski and snowboard area a family friend destination, too. Whether taking a day trip from Salt Lake City, or staying in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude is well worth the trip.
