I'll be heading out to SLC for MLK weekend and I'm currently looking at Ski/Stay packages. Staying on the mountain (specifically Snowbird) seems quite pricey. Is it better to stay in Salt Lake and drive out to the resorts? is it reasonable to do that?

If you are planning on skiing exclusively in the Cottonwood Canyons (includes Snowbird), then staying in the Salt Lake area is quite convenient (obviously not as convenient as staying at the resort itself however). Depending on where in the SL Valley you stay, you can be to Snowbird within 15-45 minutes drive. You might consider a hotel in Cottonwood Heights or Sandy which are close to the canyon entrances. Otherwise, downtown SLC is about a 35-40 minute drive to Snowbird.

Plenty of lodging available near the Cottonwoods areas. And don't forget to buy lift tkts at the ski shops- 2-day tram@Snowbird runs 121 at shop vs 144 at resort.

After becoming a regular tourist in SLC I can tell you that it is entirely possible to stay on 10600 or 7200s in SLC and take your rental or public transportation up to Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, or Solitude with very little difficulty. You will spend roughly 50-70 minutes per trip going up and down the canyon (can hope for less time in transit, but it is unlikely), and you will be in a crowded bus full of great (poor) smelling skiers.

You will save hundreds of dollars compared to staying slopeside up the canyon, but you didn't come for a vacation it seems (you came to ride the bus...I kid though).


I would suggest heading over to Park City. You can make your base camp slope side for a much better price. The town of Park City was designed for tourists and you will be treated left and right. SLC is a city. There are hotels from $39+ a night and up. None of the hotels are particularly close (7200s or 10600 are the closest hotels) and you spend roughly $90-100/nt+ to stay at these hotels that are pretty popular with younger crowds and low budget ski vacationers.


I have stayed all over the town of SLC. Airport (yuck, ridiculous amounts of driving to go skiing on that trip). West Valley (hello ghetto, not a vacation at all really now that I think of it. I remember lots of driving). 10600 (close enough, but hey you are still located in a busy complex full of car dealerships, nearby freeways, busy stop/go traffic out the window- the works!

Park City was so relaxing. To look out my window and not see smog (a common problem in SLC during winter months), traffic, or any movement other than some snow flakes falling and ski grooming machines. That is a vacation!

I understand your desire to ski @ Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, or Solitude - but your hotel in the valley better be damn good to make up for that travelling you plan on doing everyday! (don't worry though, there aren't really that many nice hotels in the SLC valley, a Holiday Inn Express, Garden Inn, Hyatt, or Staybridge Suite is the best you can pull really).

SLC = a great way to recreate a terrible morning commute and nightly commute to work. PC = a great vacation.