Snowbird, Utah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Snowbird
One of two cable cars composing the Aerial Tram at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort approaches the top station on top of Hidden Peak at an elevation of 11,000 feet
Snowbird Location in Utah Show map of Utah Snowbird Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Wasatch National Forest Little Cottonwood Canyon Salt Lake County, Utah  United States
Nearest city	Sandy: 4 miles (6 km) Salt Lake City: 29 mi (47 km)
Coordinates	40°34′52″N 111°39′23″W / 40.58111°N 111.65639°W / 40.58111; -111.65639
Vertical	3,240 ft (988 m)
Top elevation	11,000 ft (3,353 m)
Base elevation	7,760 ft (2,365 m) lowest chairlift 8,100 feet (2,469 m) main base area
Skiable area	2,500 acres (10.1 km2)
Runs	169 27% easiest 38% more difficult 35% most difficult
Longest run	2.5 miles (4.0 km) Chip's Run
Lift system	13 lifts: 1 tram 6 hi-speed quad chairs 4 double chairs 2 surface lifts
Lift capacity	17,400 per hour
Terrain parks	1
Snowfall	500 in (1,270 cm), average record: 838 in (2,130 cm), (2023, as of the 4th of June)
Night skiing	limited

Snowbird is a famous mountain resort located in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah, United States. It's nestled in the beautiful Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, not far from Salt Lake City. Snowbird is best known for its amazing alpine skiing and snowboarding areas, which first opened in December 1971. It's a popular spot for both winter sports and summer adventures!

A Look Back: Snowbird's History

Snowbird, Utah

The area around Snowbird, especially Little Cottonwood Canyon, has a long and interesting history. Back in the 1800s, a soldier discovered silver here in 1869. This led to a big mining boom! Many people came to work in the mines, and the canyon became a major producer of silver. One mine, called the Emma Mine, found over $3.8 million worth of silver. At one point, about 8,000 people lived in the narrow canyon, with homes, hotels, and even a railroad. Sadly, a series of avalanches later destroyed the entire town.

Today, Snowbird is a busy resort that welcomes visitors all year round. While it's most famous for its incredible powder skiing and snowboarding in winter, it also offers lots of fun in other seasons. Hikers, mountain bikers, and people who love the mountains come to enjoy the fresh air. The resort has ski lifts, hotels, restaurants, shops, and even a spa.

Snowbird is special because it mostly sits on land that is privately owned. Many other ski areas in Utah are on public land. The idea for Snowbird came from Ted Johnson, who used to manage a lodge nearby. He teamed up with Dick Bass, a businessman, in 1969. Together, they created the Snowbird resort, which opened its doors in 1971. Ted Johnson later sold his share to Dick Bass. Both Ted Johnson and Dick Bass have since passed away.

In 2021, a popular spot called the Tram Club closed suddenly. But don't worry, it reopened in December 2022!

Mountain Weather at Snowbird

Hidden Peak, which is about 10,992 feet high, is the tallest point at Snowbird. The weather here is called a subalpine climate. This means it's cold and snowy for much of the year, similar to what you'd find in high mountain areas.

Skiing and Snowboarding Fun

Snowbird: Great Scott - Upper, Middle and Lower Cirque

Inside the Snowbird Cliff Lodge in 2006

Snowbird resort is open all year for skiing, snowboarding, and summer fun. It's located inside the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, just east of Sandy. It's also easy to get to, being about 29 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Snowbird is right next to another ski area called Alta Ski Area. Since 2002, you can buy a special pass that lets you ski at both resorts! This means you get access to a huge area with 26 ski lifts. However, Alta only allows skiers, so snowboarders can only enjoy Snowbird's terrain.

Both Snowbird and Alta get over 500 inches of snow every year! This is partly thanks to something called the "lake effect" from the Great Salt Lake. This effect helps create very dry and powdery snow, which is perfect for skiing and snowboarding. This special snow makes Snowbird a top place for powder lovers from all over the world.

Snowbird often has one of the longest ski seasons in Utah. It usually stays open until Memorial Day in late May. Sometimes, if there's a lot of snow, you can even ski until the Fourth of July! The resort has 2,500 acres of skiable land. From the top of Hidden Peak, which is over 11,000 feet high, you can drop 3,240 feet down the mountain.

The mountain is divided into three main areas: Peruvian Gulch, Gad Valley, and Mineral Basin. Snowbird is famous for its amazing snowfall, wide-open spaces, and how easy it is to reach from the airport. It's known for having challenging runs, especially for expert skiers.

Lifts and Tunnels

Snowbird has many different lifts to take you up the mountain. There are 10 chairlifts, including fast high-speed quads, and one aerial tram. There's also a unique 600-foot tunnel with a moving conveyor belt inside! This tunnel connects the front of the resort to Mineral Basin, making it easier for everyone to explore more terrain. It's the only tunnel of its kind in North America. Inside the tunnel, you can see pictures and learn about its history.

Resort Facilities

Snowbird has several places to stay, including the Iron Blosam, the Inn, the Lodge at Snowbird, the Cliff Lodge, and the Cliff Club. You'll also find gift shops, many restaurants, arcades, and even pools. There's a cool rooftop spa too! In 2015, a new restaurant was built right at the top of Hidden Peak.

The resort also has large meeting spaces, with 31 rooms and a big Event Center for summer gatherings.

Summer Adventures

Even though Snowbird is famous for snow, it's also a fantastic place to visit in the summer! When the weather gets warm, you can try out many exciting activities.

• The Alpine Slide lets you zoom down the Chickadee ski slope on a special track with twists and turns.
• The Mountain Coaster is a wheeled cart ride for up to two people, located near the Peruvian Express chairlift.
• Summer Tubing is just like snow tubing, but on a special surface, found near the Cliff Lodge.
• The Vertical Drop is a thrilling 50-foot tower ride near the top of Chickadee.
• The Ropes Course challenges you to walk high above the ground while safely strapped into a harness.

You can also enjoy hiking and mountain biking on the beautiful trails.

Awards and Recognition

Snowbird is often recognized as one of the best ski resorts! Skiing Magazine once ranked the Alta-Snowbird area as the second best in North America. They even called it the best in the United States for two seasons in a row (2003-04 and 2004-05).

SKI Magazine gave Snowbird gold medals for its snow, easy access, challenging runs, terrain, scenery, weather, and lifts. It was ranked third in North America for snow and fourth for challenging terrain. Outside magazine named Alta-Snowbird the number one ski spot in North America in 2008. More recently, ZRankings listed Snowbird as the fourth best ski resort in North America. Snowbird's snow is considered some of the best in the world for skiing!

Snowbird, Utah tram top station, mechanical details

Images for kids

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  The Salt Lake Valley from Snowbird

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  Snowbird Tram to 11,000 ft.

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  Skiing in Snowbird

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  Snowbird mid-June 2003