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Sunny day in February, 2019 at Snowbasin Ski Resort in Utah.
Explore / Snowbasin / Destination Guide

SNOWBASIN

📍Huntsville, Utah, USA

💎 Hidden Gem🏞️ Scenic Cruiser👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Cruiser7 Days on Ikon☀️ Year-round destination

Photo: Gyejournal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo details

⬇️
Vertical drop
3,000 ft*
🗻
Skiable terrain
3,000 acres
❄️
Avg snowfall
325 in
🚡
Lifts
13
☀

Another season up here

BEYOND WINTER

Hiking and mountain biking; Mountain-top dining; Summer concert series.

Explore summer activities ↗Make a mountain escape →

OGDEN VALLEY & THE NORTHERN WASATCH

Snowbasin occupies a unique position in Utah skiing—geographically separated from the famous Cottonwood canyons, historically significant as an Olympi...

THE REGION

Snowbasin occupies a unique position in Utah skiing—geographically separated from the famous Cottonwood canyons, historically significant as an Olympic venue, and operationally focused on grooming and service rather than extreme terrain.

The terrain tells a different geological story than the canyons to the south. These mountains are older, more weathered, with rounded shoulders instead of dramatic cliffs. Snowbasin's transformation came through billionaire Earl Holding, who spent decades preparing it to host the 2002 Olympic downhill events.

THE LOCAL SCENE

Snowbasin’s grand day lodges are part of a day on the hill. Beyond the base, Huntsville offers a small-town saloon stop, while Ogden’s historic 25th Street makes a good dinner destination.

GETTING THERE

Salt Lake City International Airport is an arrival option for Snowbasin. Plan the airport journey and final mountain connection separately, whether driving or arranging onward transport.

Snowbasin lists winter UTA ski buses from Ogden and from Layton FrontRunner Station. For visitors coming from Salt Lake City, the resort describes taking FrontRunner to Layton and connecting to the ski bus. Check seasonal service, connections and return departures for your dates; the airport-to-rail leg needs its own plan.

WHEN TO GO

Snowbasin's season typically runs late November through early April, with the best conditions in January through early March. The resort receives less snow than the Cottonwood canyons but allows for excellent grooming.

BEYOND THE SLOPES

The region offers much more than skiing. Here's what else to explore:

🏔️

Olympic Downhill Course

Outdoor

Ski the actual 2002 Olympic downhill and Super-G courses.

🏔️

Needles Gondola Sightseeing

Outdoor

The enclosed gondola offers spectacular views of the Ogden Valley.

🎭

Shooting Star Saloon

Culture

Utah's oldest bar in Huntsville, famous for its Star Burger.

🏔️

Pineview Reservoir

Outdoor

The valley's centerpiece lake offers ice fishing in winter.

🏔️

Powder Mountain

Outdoor

Utah's other northern resort sits 30 minutes away.

🎭

Ogden's 25th Street

Culture

Revitalized historic district with restaurants, bars, and shops.

WHERE TO STAY

Compare Ogden and the Ogden Valley as overnight bases. In Huntsville, Compass Rose Lodge offers boutique lodging with an on-site coffee shop and an observatory. Choose a property around the setting and services you want, and plan the trip to the mountain separately.

THE FOOD SCENE

Earl’s Lodge is the convenient base stop for a group. Ride the Needles Gondola for a meal with a view, or save a longer dinner for Hearth on 25th in Ogden.

APRÈS & NIGHTLIFE

The Cinnabar serves shared plates and cocktails steps from the slopes. In Huntsville, Shooting Star Saloon pairs burgers and beer with a historic saloon setting.

INSIDER TIPS

  • 💡For a corduroy day, choose open intermediate runs on the grooming report. The Allen Peak Olympic starts are a different proposition.
  • 💡Set a lunch meeting at Needles Lodge for a gondola-top view or Earl’s Lodge for easy base access.
  • 💡Use the winter ski bus timetable or check day parking and carpool priorities before setting off.

DESTINATION FACTS

Nearest Town
Huntsville, Utah
Population
650 (Huntsville); 90,000 (Ogden)
Elevation
6,450 ft (base), 9,465 ft (summit)
Timezone
Mountain Time (MST/MDT)

LIVE WEATHER

Real-time conditions for planning your Snowbasin trip

❄️Snow Depth🌨️Precipitation💨Wind🌡️Temperature☁️Visibility

Powered by Ventusky — opens in new tab

Learn to read ski weather maps →

GETTING THERE

✈️
SLC
Salt Lake City
About 30–60 minutes
✈️
OGD
Ogden-Hinckley
About 20–40 minutes

Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for winter conditions.

OVERNIGHT STAYS & CAMPERVANS

For Snowbasin, compare a booked room or rental around Huntsville with a designated campsite that accepts your vehicle and winter dates. Choose your base around the daily mountain journey and the power, water and indoor facilities you need.

Compare lodging options ↗

Book a designated overnight place for your vehicle and dates. Day parking does not provide permission to camp.

Sources & planning context

Historical planning figures · Figures marked * come from earlier references and may differ from current resort figures.

Other names · Snowbasin Resort

Local recommendations are editorial guidance. Travel times are approximate and depend on your route and conditions.

Typically late November to mid April

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗
Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗
Official website
https://www.snowbasin.com/
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summer and winter destination
Yes
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Beyond winter
Hiking and mountain biking; Mountain-top dining; Summer concert series.
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Skiable area (acres)
3000
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Lifts
13
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs
115
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Reported average snowfall (in)
325
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft)
6450
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft)
9465
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Historical mountain figures awaiting field-level confirmation: Vertical drop (ft).

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

UTA Ski Bus Service — Snowbasin ↗Ogden ski bus; Layton ski bus; FrontRunner connection; Seasonal operation · Checked Oct 29, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Compass Rose Lodge ↗A small Huntsville boutique lodge in Ogden Valley with cozy guest rooms, an on-site coffee shop, and an observatory for night-sky viewing. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Snowbasin history ↗John Paul lift; Grizzly and Wildflower Olympic downhill courses remain. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Winter trail map ↗John Paul Express, Allen Peak Tram and Olympic starts. Expert restricted access through open gates only. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Snowbasin FAQ ↗Overnight camping not allowed on premises. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Snowbasin parking and access ↗Free day parking, carpool priorities, winter ski bus. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Retained mountain figures ↗6,450-foot base and 9,465-foot summit in retained resort terrain figures. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Alaskan Inn and Spa · Ogden Canyon ↗The inn has themed suites and private cabins near the river in Ogden Canyon, two-person jetted tubs in rooms and cabins, and included breakfast. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Visit Ogden · historic downtown buildings ↗The Bigelow–Ben Lomond Hotel became the Bigelow Apartments in 2019. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Hilton · Home2 Suites by Hilton Ogden ↗This suite hotel is in downtown Ogden near Historic 25th Street restaurants, entertainment and Union Station. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Snowbasin Learn & Earn Year One, 2026–27 ↗First-time skiers or riders collect seasonal gear before scheduling lessons. Littlecat access follows the first lesson, and completing all three activates the full pass for the rest of that winter. Prior mountain pass holders are excluded. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Dine on the Slopes | Snowbasin ↗A grand on-mountain lodge at 8,700 feet, reached at the top of Needles Gondola and centered on high-elevation dining with broad views. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Shooting Star Saloon ↗Shooting Star Saloon is at 7350 E 200 S in Huntsville. Visit Ogden identifies it as Utah’s oldest continually operating saloon, dating to 1879. The menu centers on burgers, chips and beer, including the two-patty Star Burger with knackwurst. · Checked Oct 27, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Hearth on 25th ↗Downtown Ogden at 195 25th St.; seasonal wood-fired menu, chef tasting menu and craft bar. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

  • Snowbasin — official hours information ↗

    See the verified facts and dates listed above.

  • Snowbasin — official homepage ↗

    See the verified facts and dates listed above.

  • Ikon Pass — 26/27 opening and closing dates (updated September 29, 2026) ↗

    Published planned season dates, subject to conditions.

  • Activities ↗

    Hiking and mountain biking; Mountain-top dining; Summer concert series.

  • Snowbasin — Bucket List Riding ↗

    Snowbasin publishes 325 inches annual snowfall and exact 6,450–9,465-foot elevation endpoints.

SEE YOU UP THERE.

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