Not far away , Alta Ski Area has also made slight modifications , expanding the former cat tracks to more accessible “ roads ” to aid skiers like John McLaughlin , who joins buddies for an annual pilgrimage to revel in , as they say , “ The Greatest Snow on Earth .”
“ One of my best days ever was during this huge Alta powder day ,” says McLaughlin , senior counsel for a western U . S . airport . “ We bootpacked out to Supreme Bowl and dropped into chutes . I would have never skied if there weren ’ t fifty inches of fresh powder to catch me .”
Perhaps most importantly , given Little Cottonwood Canyon ’ s slide history , Alta has installed state-of-the-art Wyssen Towers for future avalanche mitigation . Most Utah ski areas have also updated snowmaking operations for the early season . Several areas have added new chairlifts , including Snowbird , Deer Valley , and Powder Mountain .
Upgrade barely captures the changes coming to Deer Valley Ski Resort . The consensus GOAT for elevated ski holidays , Deer Valley will add an astounding 3,700 acres in the next two years as part of the new East Village development . Skiers will discover 300 new acres this year and 381 rooms and suites at the new Grand Hyatt . Visitors can also access the East Village via U . S . Route 40 , bypassing congested Park City .
One topic every skier and snowboarder agrees on is lift lines , specifically a shared disdain for long queues at several premier resorts , the consequence of user-friendly multi-resort passes including Ikon , Epic , and Mountain Collective . Independent Utah ski areas like Snow Basin , with four new lifts in six years , are also listening . Not to be outdone by its neighbor , Powder Mountain is also adding and expanding lifts to ease flow and access more challenging terrain as part of a resort overhaul .
Whether you prefer a few days at Park City Mountain Resort , the largest area in the U . S . with 7,300 skiable acres , or Logan ’ s intimate Beaver Mountain , America ’ s longest family-owned ski area , guarantee you ’ ll never forget your first POW Day in Utah .
GETTING THERE
Fly nonstop from Reagan National Airport ( DCA ) to Salt Lake City International Airport ( SLC ) on Delta Airlines . United and Delta will take you nonstop from Dulles International Airport ( IAD ) to SLC .
BOZEMAN ’ S BOUNTY
Christine Stepherson has led her “ Chix Trip ” around Western North America for twenty-five years , but she keeps returning to Big Sky . The reason isn ’ t just convenience : America ’ s fourth-largest ski area is one hour from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport . Something about the 5,800 acres of Rocky Mountain terrain located far from popular resort corridors keeps the numbers down .
“ We ’ ve returned four or five times ,” says Stepherson , the founder of Team Soapbox , a public advocacy communications agency . “ I just remember the deep , luscious powder and back we come . As a snowboarder , I find it mighty fine to glide around here , especially on Xmas Tree Run , an informal route near the Moonlight Basin side .”
Over the past decade , Big Sky has succeeded as an “ if we expand , they will come ” destination more than any other isolated ski resort in North America . Former NBC news anchor Chet Huntley founded Big Sky in 1968 . The resort steadily grew from its 1974 opening onward . Acquiring Moonlight Basin in 2013 , the area stretched to over 5,850 acres and 4,350 vertical feet . It wasn ’ t only area growth that excited skiers and snowboarders ; the merger included over 20 triple-black chutes , among the finest steeps on the continent .
Big Sky continues its 2025 growth plan this year with the Madison 8 highspeed chairlift , the longest eight-place installation in the world . Last year , the new Lone Peak Tram rang in one half-century of operations . The tram carries up to 75 passengers up 2,142 vertical feet in under five minutes . The Explorer Gondola is slated for the 2025-26 season . A new futuristic dining hub at the tram-gondola nexus will also arise in the coming year . The glass helix enclosure now covers the tram ’ s base terminal .
The resort is also following the lead of many North American ski areas by improving and expanding beginner areas , doubling uphill capacity with dual magic carpets at the new learning center . Big Sky has also learned a thing or two from its celebrity neighbor , Yellowstone Club , adding the Tom Kundig-designed One & Only Moonlight Basin , a “ resort within a resort ” that reflects the “ hotel within a hotel ” trend among uber-luxury accommodations .
Big Sky expanded its winter off-mountain offerings , too . Take a day off to go snowshoeing , Nordic skiing , dog sledding , among other tours . Schedule a sleigh ride dinner to Lone Mountain Ranch or hop in a snowcat to climb to Everett ’ s 8800 , a peak dining experience at 8,800 feet above sea level . Of course , the resort boasts one attraction unmatched anywhere in the world , Yellowstone National Park , located one hour away . Winter , a gorgeous time to visit Yellowstone Falls and other landmarks , is the best season for spotting wolves , bison , and other wildlife .
Another unique option awaits just outside of Bozeman : the opportunity to hit Bridger Bowl on your getaway day . Located about 30 minutes from the airport , Bridger Bowl boasts 2,000 skiable acres and a whopping 2,700 feet of vertical . Beg a local to reveal the secret stashes ; they are bountiful here , then treat yourself to some leg-burn skiing laps on North America ’ s best local hill before your return flight to D . C .
GETTING THERE
United Airlines flies nonstop seasonal service from Dulles International Airport ( IAD ) to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport ( BZN ).
GALLOPING INTO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
The mix of Western U . S . and ski culture fits like sipping cowboy coffee by a campfire surrounded by freshly fallen snow . Nowhere is this romantic image more suitable for framing memories than Steamboat Springs , Colorado . From the moment Olympic silver medalist and aptly named Billy Kidd donned a Stetson and relocated to Steamboat in 1970 , the Park Range resort has been synonymous with the Western ski experience . And it isn ’ t just branding ; over 100 Olympians call Steamboat home , the most of any ski town in America .
Born in Truckee , California , Caroline Lalive took the Olympic legacy seriously when her parents moved the family to Steamboat so she and her siblings could train in the best conditions .
“ The strong heritage of Olympic athletes bolstered my dream of competing in the Winter Games ,” says Lalive , who competed in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics . “ Now that I ’ m raising my own child here , I get to experience the beauty and uniqueness of Steamboat through his eyes .”
Lalive states her perfect day on Steamboat ’ s 2,965 skiable acres involves chasing former Olympian ( and husband ) Nelson Carmichael through the trees .
“ I ’ m always a fan of Pony Lift for the various tree lines and terrain ,” she says . “ I feel like I always find a new little stash or fall line .”
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 8 WINTER 2024-25