Each Utah resort offers an assortment of amenities and every resort has carved out a niche in something they specialize in. Here are a few examples of local resorts and what they have to offer.
Bob Grove from Drive Away Vacations reviews a few of his favorite resort picks.
Alta Ski Area
Primarily owned by the same families since 1938, Alta turns 70 this winter. Alta’s place in the ski world is unique in the ski community by blending the past with the future. The 2008/2009 season celebrates the seventh full season of the Alta Snowbird ONE PASS, America’s first lift-served interconnect.
Alta’s wide variety of terrain, breathtaking alpine scenery and superb snow conditions combine to create a unique setting for unforgettable outdoor experiences with family, friends and the mountain itself. Alta becomes a place where visitors have all the time in the world to feel both a sense of serenity in a pristine alpine environment as well as sense of excitement and fun in being outdoors in the clean mountain air. Alta continues to offer a ski-only experience.
Alta has a worldwide reputation of offering deep powder snow, rugged terrain and spectacular scenery. It may also be Utah’s best-kept ski secret in terms of offering beginner and intermediate terrain.
Every day during the 2008-2009 season skiing will be absolutely free after 3 pm on Alta’s Sunnyside detachable triple lift. Sunnyside provides access to beginner skiing from Alta’s Albion Base. The lift, installed 6 years ago, has proven to be a wonderful tool for skiers just starting. In addition to slowing down for load and unload, the lift gets skiers up into the alpine majesty of Alta’s scenic Albion Basin, and then gives them a mile of great learning terrain back to the base. www.alta.com
Sundance
Sundance is dedicated to maintaining its beautiful, protected setting against the backdrop of 12,000 ft. Mount Timpanogos. Few places in the world have the majesty, beauty and convenience of Sundance. We offer beginner to expert skiing with terrain suitable for any skill level with 41 runs spread over 500 acres of snow-smothered terrain. Experts enjoy the steep and the deep in wide open bowls and narrow gladed chutes, while all can enjoy our immaculately groomed slopes. Sundance also prides itself on being a place where families gather and hospitality is a way of life. Special kids programs and a variety of activities keep the family smiling all day. Family members can ski at different levels and everyone ends up at the same place at the base of the mountain, which enhances ease and convenience for parents. www.sundanceresort.com
Deer Valley
Deer Valley Resort revolutionized the ski industry 28 years ago by being the first North American resort to provide the first-class service one would find at a five-star hotel. The resort offers luxurious amenities, such as ski valets, groomed-to-perfection slopes, on-site child care and gourmet dining in three elegant day lodges. Deer Valley has been rated the #1 ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI magazine in 2001, 2005, 2008 and again in 2009. Deer Valley spans across 6 mountains with over 2,000 skiable acres and is a skiing only resort. www.deervalley.com
Powder Mountain
About half of Powder Mountain is a traditional lift served resort with an abundance of beautifully groomed cruisers. The rest of the resort is left untouched for powder hounds. Take your pick of the 1,200 acres served by Powder Country shuttle, 800 acres accessed by a short ride on Lightning Ridge snowcat or the 2,500 acres reserved for the Snowcat Powder Safari. Powder Mountain is also the first resort in the US to have a Snowkite Center and Diamond Peaks Heliski offers full days or one run options.
Powder Mountain relies solely on Mother Nature for snow and she generously delivers 500 inches annually. SKI Magazine consistently rates Powder Mountain in the top three ski areas nationally for snow and first in value. www.powdermountain.com
Visit www.driveawayvacations.com for information on ski areas in Utah and other Intermountain destinations.
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