Brighton's a pretty resilient ski resort, still snowing here in mid to late April, despite Solitude…read moreright next to it getting rain instead and having to end their season much sooner. Brighton's so deep in the mountains, it was getting even more snow than Alta or Snowbird late season. Nonetheless, most of the skiable area was closed from late April on, and they had some really sticky slush near the bottom. I went here on the week of April 20th (the stoner holiday) not thinking anything of it, and have never seen such a high concentration of intoxicated, degenerate, drug-obsessed college kids and degenerate behavior. These kids were consuming alcohol on the runs, making fun of, laughing at and humiliating beginners, and couldn't stop chairlift blabbing about jumping people, buying alcohol underaged, and "whippets" or however you spell it, their apparent drug of choice. Having an Ikon Pass and going to Alta that same week, I wanted to find the explanatory factor for the extreme disparity in guests between here and Alta that particular week. I looked online and saw Brighton was selling day passes for only $49, and marketing their late season as an event, "The Meltdown", geared toward younger people looking to party. Most of the staff here were nice and professional, with one exception. This attractive blonde girl working here was rude and standoffish when I asked what time they close, as they kept changing the closing time, seemingly on a daily basis, and nobody seemed to know. Different websites said different times and their closing time varies by day of the week, time of the season, weather, even by lift or section of the mountain, so it was like a Scooby-Doo mystery trying to figure it out. Then to get an attitude like "What... what time do we close?! You're hitting on me?!! You can't think of a better pickup line than that?! You know how many pickup lines I hear a day??" Probably not the right person to be working in hospitality. On the upside, the night skiing and tree skiing were exceptional here when I went earlier in the season, and the girl I took said this was her favorite resort. When I tried taking her to Snowbird she had a panic attack, saying it was too steep, and had to have ski patrol take her down in the basket, so Brighton's probably more beginner friendly.

you will make it to the Brighton Resort after 40 minutes up the Cottonwood Canyon; the best part is…read morethe snow you slowly see as you drive up once you hit the Resort, you will be directed to park (you can reserve parking online), and make your way to the Resort, where you can ski, play in the snow or enjoy the Restaurant aftwewards

It's a family friendly mountain which means there is something for everyone. Bunny slops for the…read morekids, parks for the teens and trails for adults. It gets pretty busy during the winter since it's unlimited on the icon but if you're going up in a weekday and get there within the first 2 hours of opening there are normally spots. Like most resorts they have the classic "apres ski" snacks but one that really stands out are the Little Dollie's waffles. There's nothing better than enjoying a warm waffle on a snowy day.

My review is a bit different as we drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon to view the fall colors…read more Gorgeous. Solitude is open in the summer/fall for Mountain Biking and on a Sunday there were a ton of bikers. They have a little cafe open serving food and drink. They had inflatables, a rick climbing tower and a trampoline open for the kids. We took the free lift up and enjoyed the surroundings. Amazing views.

This is one of the best ski resorts I've been to, though may not be ideal for beginners, as some of…read morethe blue runs feel tougher than black diamonds at smaller resorts. This was my first season skiing, and my first time here I made the mistake of going up Gadzoom and Little Cloud chairs and got cliffed out in Little Cloud Bowl with all the black diamonds. I wasn't going to call ski patrol to take me down in the basket like my friend did at the top of Gadzoom after having a panic attack, and slowly, tediously made my way down. It was quite the adventure, looking back. I couldn't believe how long it took and how much distance and vertical drop I covered to get to the bottom; the runs here are some of the longest I've been on. One benefit of this resort over Alta is not needing parking reservations during weekends, which saved my ski day one Saturday I tried going to Alta without a parking reservation, then had to come here after talking to the parking attendant there putting $250 tickets on cars without reservations. The skiable area is massive here as well, and there's a whole other skiable side of the mountain (Mineral Basin) with breathtaking views you get to by taking this conveyer belt thing through a secret mining tunnel. The hoards of snowboarders do cause way more lines and congestion here than Alta, and I had to wait in line for a while for the tram on a Saturday. Luckily I soon found the secret tunnel I won't disclose the location of, and was able to ski at Mineral Basin with no lines the rest of that day. There's a lot more moguls and worse snow coverage here than Alta as well, though this year was an extreme outlier and the worst snow year in 4+ decades. It's a shame the Ikon pass only has 7 days to split between here and Alta, as I used up most of my days at Alta and didn't get a chance to explore all the different areas of this vast resort this season.

I've never been skiing in my life. Snowbird is a beautiful location and the buildings appeared to…read morebe well kept, the lodge and all was clean. I'm mostly thankful that I managed to not break any bones and after a couple tumbles, learned to stay upright, turn side to side and make it to the bottom of the easy hills. The staff was friendly and encouraging and that's all you could ask for. See you at the 2030 Olympics

I had a great time because I didn't have to cook & clean. I could just concentrate on the skiing! I…read morecan't wait to go back again next year. Alta Lodge has all the essentials and none of the bells and whistles that could clutter your ski vacation experience. The staff is super awesome. Thanks, everyone! AMENITIES Use the courtesy phone at top of the stairs to let them know you've arrived. Allow the porter to carry your luggage. You still have to get used to the altitude. Take it easy on your first day. Store your skis and poles in the basement locker room. You'll find the combination in your room on a slip of paper. Boot and glove dryer in your room. Free wi-fi. Free morning yoga classes. Free afternoon tea (plus juice & cookies). Occasional star watching events after dinner. Movies and other events in the TV lounge. Borrow a DVD to watch in your room, on your own laptop. (No TVs in the rooms.) Don't trust the time on the alarm clock in your room. We kept setting it to the correct time, and it kept getting changed to 15~20 minutes ahead. If you need a fluffy white robe, fill out the form on the desk in your room. You don't need to bring a towel from your room to the sauna / hot tubs - there are extra towels outside the locker rooms. The sauna is in the locker room itself. General store and gift shop. Hours are posted. The Cross Town Trolley runs until after dark but the rope tow up the last little hill to Alta Lodge closes at 5. Have the Alta Lodge number programmed into your cell phone. They are happy to pick you up and bring you back to the hotel. One day I was at the bootfitter (Alta Sports) 'til late and they came and got us. So nice! YOUR ROOM I was perfectly comfortable in our room, though there wasn't much floor space for our morning Pilates warmup. Yes, you can hear your neighbors partying in the next room but you're too tired from skiing to be kept awake by that. Snuggle into your soft bed and sleep hard! Aveda products are in the bathroom, in case you forgot to pack your own shampoo. The little packets of salt are for the room humidifier. Use it every night! LODGE RESTAURANT If you have any special dietary needs, tell your server. The people in the kitchen can modify recipes to suit you. Great breakfast buffet. You can also have eggs made to order. For dinner, it's like being at Grandma's house - you can ask for smaller portions, or even have seconds if you wish. Every night there are three entrees (one red meat, one seafood, one vegetarian). Save room for dessert, because they have a lot of great choices, and the portions aren't enormous. I often had the mixed berry compote just by itself. I notice a definite Asian fusion lilt to a lot of the recipes. Interesting.

Incredibly rude and unhelpful staff. The "gentleman" at the front desk can't seem to handle helping…read morepeople or taking criticism and feedback. When i called to speak to the manager, they just routed it to this employee (i hope to god he's not he's actually any kind of manager there or they have way bigger problems) who was immediately argumentative and just claimed i didn't know what i was talking about before hanging up. This guy shouldn't be working anywhere facing the public. Even a Motel 6 can give basic customer service, book here if you want to be berated and treated like garbage.

I've skied all over North America and a few times in Europe, and Alta has always stood out as one…read moreof the most unique ski areas I've visited. The combination of legendary Little Cottonwood Canyon snow and being less than an hour from Salt Lake City is incredibly hard to beat. You can park, grab a quick snack in the lodge, click into your skis, and be riding the lift without any unnecessary fuss. Alta is very different from places like Park City or many of the big Colorado resorts. There isn't a bustling village at the base, and that's exactly how the regulars like it. The entire experience revolves around skiing, with just the essentials and none of the distractions. I actually never even made it over to neighboring Snowbird because I always got so carried away exploring Alta that I never felt the need to leave. The skiing is exceptional, the mountain is the perfect size for a full day, and the atmosphere feels authentic in an increasingly rare way. It's relaxed without being sleepy, serious about skiing without feeling exclusive, and full of people who genuinely love being there. If you're looking for incredible snow and one of the purest skiing experiences anywhere, Alta absolutely deserves its legendary reputation.

I'm totally blown away every time I ski here. From the views, to the bipolar weather, to the…read morequality and quantity of untracked powder, it just feels like you're skiing on another planet almost. The last time I went it was snowing while sunny out somehow, with the sun shining through the storm clouds above, and felt surreal. This was my first season skiing, though this is hands down the best ski resort I've been to so far. One time this April I made the mistake of crossing over into Snowbird's Mineral Basin, and the conditions were so much worse for just being on the other side of the ridge. It was way hotter, sunnier, and more crowded, with way more rocks, moguls, and dirt spots littering the runs, so I crossed back into Alta after 2 runs. The runs at Alta are wide and well groomed, so you can pick up some serious speed without feeling like you're risking your life doing so. Late season there was barely anyone else there too, even while it was snowing somehow (likely an effect of not allowing snowboarders). The staff here are top notch and always professional, and Alta has some of the best chairlifts I've seen. Another huge plus is how close you can park to the points at which you get on the base mountain chairlifts, as walking in ski boots while carrying skis is no fun. You can literally ski right up to your car at the end of the day if you park in the right spot. They also have a rope tow from base to base, which saves you from possibly having to take the bus at the end of the day to the other base. The only hiccups here were the requiring of parking reservations on weekends, and the pass scanner machine midway up Collins Lift not reading my Ikon Pass with no worker nearby to help, so I'd have to ski down to the bottom and take the lift all the way up.

Comparing great ski resorts is a little like comparing luxury cars. They are all exceptional for…read moredifferent reasons, and declaring one objectively superior can become a fool's errand. Deer Valley belongs firmly in the luxury family skiing category, with incredible grooming, excellent service, and an atmosphere that makes an already extravagant sport feel even more special. What I remember most is how easy and pleasurable the entire experience felt. The mountain was accessible, the lift lines were manageable, and the trails never seemed oppressively crowded. Every piece of infrastructure appeared to work as intended, allowing us to spend the day skiing rather than navigating logistical headaches. The grooming was especially memorable, with wide stretches of perfect corduroy that made it incredibly satisfying to settle into a rhythm and carve. One morning, I skied the glades with a friend who was far more advanced than I was. I spent much of that session right at the edge of my comfort zone, following him through terrain I probably would not have attempted alone. We made it through, had a great time, and then spent the rest of the day bombing groomers with considerably less anxiety. That combination of technical tree skiing and beautifully maintained cruisers captures what I love about Deer Valley. During these trips, we generally rented a house in Park City and drove to whichever mountain we wanted to ski that day. Deer Valley, Park City, and Alta are all remarkably close, yet each has a completely different personality and style of terrain. That proximity is one of the great advantages of skiing in Utah, especially when Salt Lake City International Airport is so much easier to reach from the mountains than Denver is from many of Colorado's comparable resorts. With a rental car and a little flexibility, you can experience several distinct versions of world-class skiing during a single trip. Part of Deer Valley's mystique comes from the hotels, even though I have never stayed at any of them. The Montage, Stein Eriksen Lodge, and St. Regis all look almost absurdly comfortable, and I can only imagine the convenience of waking up in one of those properties and walking directly into a ski day. I do have a particular fondness for the Bloody Marys on the St. Regis patio and the funicular that connects the hotel with the ski area. Even stopping there for a drink makes the resort feel like a full experience rather than simply a mountain with lifts. Someday, I would love to bring my children here and watch them experience skiing in a place that handles families so thoughtfully. Skiing is an extraordinarily expensive activity and a genuine privilege. Still, it is also one of the most exhilarating workouts imaginable and an incredible way to spend a day outside with people you love. Deer Valley combines that physical intensity with an unusual degree of comfort, polish, and hospitality. It has been a while since my last visit, but I remember the experience warmly, hope to return, and highly recommend it.

Still one of our very favorite resorts - total princess treatment with the friendliest staff and…read moreambassadors anywhere, free overnight ski check, super nice facilities, and best of all, tons of great runs, lifts and skiing. As an added bonus - no snow boarders! Restaurants are really good, too. This year, they added 10 lifts and gondolas, 100 runs and double the terrain. But the snow this week was better on the traditional ones. You can check your gear overnight for $20 either in a multiple day locker or basket check. Finishing 6th day here. Love this place!

This is an ideal spot for a family ski vacation! The Inn is styled after a European ski lodge with…read morestone and wood and solid construction. The rooms are spacious, well-maintained and well appointed. Ski in/ ski out for a really chill day...short, constantly running shuttle to Moonbeam Lodge and lift if you want to do those runs. Good, cozy restaurant in lodge with solid buffet breakfast. The heated pool is warm and you get access to Club Solitude which has an amazing pool area as well. Great choice. We will be back.

I really wanted to love this hotel despite its lack in amenities! however it has been a crap show…read moreafter we checked out of the hotel and drove the less than 1 hour drive home only to realized we had left a personal item behind. I immediately reached out to the hotel. long story short the hotel staff strung me along saying that I needed to talk to house keeping because house keeping would likely have thrown our belongings away when cleaning the room. However despite me calling every single day for four days I could not be put through to house keeping. eventually i was given the email address for the house keeping manager who agreed to replace or reimburse me for the item. however she then emailed me back saying that the hotel has changed their mind and will not be reimbursing me after all. Utah Code Title 29. Hotels and Hotel Keepers § 29-1-2  A person who is an innkeeper, hotel keeper, boarding house or lodging house keeper shall be liable for a loss of any of such property of a guest in the person's inn caused by the theft or negligence of the innkeeper or the innkeeper's servant. Update 3/4/23 I was finally reimbursed! After sharing the state law with them. This has ruined my entire outlook on this hotel. I had previously planned on returning to this hotel on a yearly basis but not anymore.

Beware!! Spend the money, get a nice spot. Unless you like little shaqs that look like something…read moreout of a Jason flick But, despite everything you are inches away from the ski resort!!

We stayed at the Lodge for a school leadership retreat and it was fine…read more The tiny pictures on the website are pretty accurate. The upstairs of the lodge has a small bedroom with a bed and two adjourning bedrooms that have 8 beds between the two; 7 full size, 1 twin size. Kitchen comes fully equipped to prepare simple meals for large groups with plenty of plates, cups, eating and cooking utensils. We attempted to use the jacuzzi. A lot of foreign hairs came out of the jets. Only some of the lights upstairs turned on. The wifi was sporadic and mostly didn't work upstairs. Overall the place was clean and had plenty of parking. Bring entertainment if pool isn't enough for your group.

Had an amazing vacation at the Snowpine Lodge. From the minute we arrived we were treated to the…read moreutmost hospitality I have ever experienced. Meg, Shannon and Tom at the front desk were so helpful and kind. They made sure we were well taken care of. The restaurant Swen was fantastic! The food was exceptional and the service was outstanding. We met the executive chef and he sent us an appetizer that was new to his menu, and it was amazing! We also had excellent service at the spa. I had a great massage with Mish that really helped my sore neck and shoulders. I can't say enough about how much we loved our stay at Snowpine. The service and personnel were incredible!

Such an amazing view on the balcony in the restaurant. The weather was great and enjoyed sitting…read morethere taking in all the scenery while having a drink. The bar tender was very friendly and super helpful when asking recommendations of places to visit in the area. It was an amazing afternoon!!! Would love to actually stay there sometime and take advantage of the spa and other amenities.