What We’d Do the Same
- Chase the forecast: choose a resort with the best weather outlook each day.
- Base in Park City (Proctor area): ~10 minutes to Deer Valley.
- Logistics: Free shuttle from Proctor to Deer Valley; Drive on a rental car to Alta & Snowbasin.
- Rope-drop mornings: start as early as lifts open; wrap by early afternoon.
- Bring your own boots & layers: dial comfort for changing temps.
- Go midweek: avoid weekend crowds and traffic.
What We’d Do Differently
- Add an extra day for Snowbird (next to Alta).
- Lunch on-mountain to maximize ski time.
- One more day to explore Snowbasin’s Strawberry area.
Why Utah Makes It Easy
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s worth visiting multiple ski resorts on one Utah trip, here’s how we did it — from Park City to Snowbasin — using a single Ikon Pass.While many ski vacations focus on a single destination, Utah’s accessibility makes it possible to ski multiple resorts without long drives or logistical headaches. Salt Lake City’s airport, one of the largest international hubs in the region, connects Utah not only to major U.S. cities but also to international destinations. In under an hour, you can be out of baggage claim and on your way to the slopes. With U.S. lift ticket prices at record highs, we knew choosing the right pass would be crucial. The Ikon Pass gave us the best value, with access to legendary Utah resorts like Deer Valley, Alta, and Snowbasin. (If you’re willing to pay extra for a Park City day ticket, you can stretch your value even further with four resorts in one trip.) Another pleasant surprise: we booked this trip last-minute. Thanks to airline loyalty program deals, Expedia discounts, and off-peak pricing in March, we saved significantly on airfare, lodging, and car rentals. We based ourselves in Proctor, just 10 minutes from Deer Valley, where hotels were more affordable, parking wasn’t an issue, and free shuttles to the slopes made life simple. The town also offered plenty of dining and grocery options — perfect for après-ski evenings.
Day 1 — Deer Valley
Deer Valley is one of the rare ski-only resorts in North America, creating a calm and elegant vibe on the mountain. Spanning 2,300 acres across six peaks, the terrain is well balanced: 30% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 25% advanced/expert. We started our day under bright blue skies and perfect 28°F conditions. Beginning at Bald Mountain, we made our way across to Flagstaff and Empire Mountain, enjoying immaculately groomed trails. Deer Valley is famous for its guest services, gourmet on-mountain dining, and even a cap on daily lift tickets to prevent overcrowding. Our lunch stop at Silver Lake Lodge was a highlight — delicious food paired with sweeping alpine views. By late afternoon, we returned to our hotel for a well-earned soak in the hot jacuzzi, feeling that Deer Valley had lived up to its reputation for comfort and quality
Day 2 — Alta
If Deer Valley is elegance, Alta is pure soul. Tucked high in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta has been serving skiers since 1938 and averages over 540 inches of snow each year. Like Deer Valley, it’s skiers-only, but here the vibe is rugged, authentic, and powder-obsessed. With more than 2,600 acres and a summit of 11,068 feet, Alta leans heavily toward advanced skiers: 15% beginner, 30% intermediate, and 55% advanced/expert. Steep chutes, glades, and deep bowls challenge even seasoned skiers, while long groomers keep intermediates smiling. The morning greeted us with sunshine but also freezing winds at higher elevation. Thankfully, with good layering we stayed comfortable. Skiing through Alta’s famous dry powder felt like floating — easily one of the best experiences we’ve had since we started skiing in 2018. Panoramic views from Sugarloaf and Baldy were unforgettable, and the off-piste powder was unbeatable for tree skiing and natural drops. Arriving early on a midweek day meant easy parking near the Sunnyside chairlift, no traffic, and wide-open runs. If we had more time, we would have added Snowbird (Alta’s next-door neighbor with steeper terrain), but Alta alone gave us a lifetime memory.
Day 3 — Snowbasin
For our final day, we headed northeast to Snowbasin, about 35 miles from Salt Lake City. Known for hosting the 2002 Olympic downhill and Super-G, Snowbasin is a blend of high-end facilities and adventurous terrain. With 3,000 acres of lift-served terrain, 3,000 vertical feet, and 13 lifts (including a tram and two gondolas), Snowbasin delivers variety for every level: 7% beginner, 50% intermediate, 30% advanced, and 13% expert. On this blue-sky day, with temperatures again around 28°F and no wind, we explored the Needles and John Paul zones, enjoying uncrowded slopes and no wait at the lifts. The views from Mt. Ogden were breathtaking, and the long groomers down toward Needles Lodge provided some of the smoothest cruising of the trip. With more time, we would have explored Strawberry Peak, but even in a single day, Snowbasin impressed us with its mix of variety, beauty, and Olympic legacy.
Final Thoughts — Why Three Resorts on One trip?
Most ski trips focus on a single destination. But in Utah, where world-class resorts are within an hour’s drive, skiing multiple mountains in one trip offers unmatched variety — and tremendous value when using the right pass. Our March 2025 visit hit the sweet spot: excellent snow conditions, smaller crowds, and discounted travel and lodging. The combination of Deer Valley’s luxury, Alta’s powder, and Snowbasin’s scale gave us a dream ski adventure at a fraction of peak-season prices. If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in the ski world, Utah delivers. Pack smart, grab the Ikon Pass, and don’t be afraid to split your time between multiple resorts. It may just turn your ski vacation into an epic story worth telling.
By Andy Newman, NextOutdoorAdventures founder, Sep 23, 2025
Tell us your take: Share Utah tips with us on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram — links below!