Snowbird

About

Snowbird sits at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains, just 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, and it delivers genuine mountain experiences across all four seasons. With a base elevation of 7,760 feet and a summit reaching 11,000 feet, this is serious alpine terrain that doesn't need to oversell itself.

Winter is Snowbird's primary season, and the skiing is exceptional. The resort averages over 500 inches of snowfall annually - the famous Utah powder that's lighter and drier than almost anywhere else in the world. Over 2,500 vertical feet of terrain spans 170 trails and bowls, served by the iconic Aerial Tram and multiple high-speed chairlifts. The season often stretches into May or even June.

Summer transforms Snowbird into a completely different destination. The Aerial Tram operates year-round, carrying visitors to the 11,000-foot summit of Hidden Peak for panoramic views of the Wasatch Range and beyond. Mountain biking trails, alpine slides, ropes courses, and a bungee trampoline keep families active. The annual Oktoberfest celebration runs weekends from mid-August through October, featuring live music, German food, and craft beer in a mountaintop setting.

Hiking options range from gentle nature walks to challenging alpine routes. The resort sits adjacent to both the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and the protected Twin Peaks Wilderness, offering access to world-class backcountry experiences.

Snowbird's Cliff Lodge and other on-mountain accommodations let you stay at the base and walk to lifts or tram. The Cliff Spa offers a full range of treatments with mountain views. Several restaurants serve everything from casual slope-side fare to upscale dining.

The drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon from the Salt Lake Valley floor is itself a scenic experience, climbing through a narrow granite canyon with towering walls on both sides. Snowbird manages to feel remote and wild while being less than an hour from a major international airport.

Accessibility

Snowbird has worked to improve accessibility at a challenging mountain location. The resort partners with the Wasatch Adaptive Sports program, which provides adaptive skiing and snowboarding instruction for people with physical and cognitive disabilities. Summer programming through Wasatch Adaptive Sports includes adaptive cycling, paddlesports, and yoga.

The Aerial Tram to Hidden Peak can accommodate wheelchairs, though space is limited - contact the resort in advance to make arrangements. The tram building at the base is accessible, and the summit building has accessible viewing areas.

Lodging at Snowbird includes ADA-compliant rooms with roll-in showers, grab bars, lowered counters, and wide doorways at several properties including the Cliff Lodge. Accessible parking is available at the main lodge areas.

The base village area has paved surfaces connecting the main buildings, restaurants, and shops. However, the mountain environment means that many outdoor areas involve slopes, uneven terrain, and elevation changes that present challenges for wheelchair users.

The Temple Quarry Trail at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon offers a 0.3-mile paved, wheelchair-accessible nature walk as an alternative for visitors who want an outdoor experience on accessible terrain.

For specific accessibility questions, adaptive sports reservations, or to discuss your needs before visiting, contact Snowbird at (801) 933-2222 or reach the Wasatch Adaptive Sports program directly.

More accessible places in Utah

• Natural History Museum of Utah (Salt Lake City)
• Arches National Park (Moab)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Bryce)
• Canyonlands National Park (Moab)
• Red Butte Garden (Salt Lake City)
• Dinosaur National Monument (Jensen)