SkiLaunch is very pleased to confirm that we have our very first transatlantic main sponsor confirmed, in the form of the ski area of Utah. It feels like a momentous moment to have a transatlantic sponsor as we originally just promoted the many ski resorts in France. In 2015 we expanded to include all European ski areas and we have now expanded further to include our many friends over the pond.
So, we asked our sponsors, why should skiers consider Utah?
They said "Utah offers an unparalleled winter sports experience, and there are several compelling reasons why it should be at the top of your winter vacation destination list.
First and foremost, Utah resorts receive over 500 inches annually of what is affectionately called, The Greatest Snow on Earth®. With the perfect consistency…not too much moisture and not too dry, Meteorologists refer to Utah’s snow as the “Goldilocks effect” because it’s “just right.”
Utah’s easy access is another enticing factor. With over 700 daily arrivals and departures at Salt Lake City International, getting here from anywhere is easy. And, with 10 resorts less than an hour from the airport, you can ski or snowboard on both your arrival and departure day.
Utah’s 15 world-class resorts, each with its own distinct character and terrain, are ready to welcome you. Whether you’re a powder hound or a leisurely skier or snowboarder, Utah has something extraordinary to offer every winter sports enthusiast."
Sounds good to us. So what are the facts?
"Utah is situated on the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains and Salt Lake City is only a 90-minute flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Utah has 15 resorts from the north to the south of the state. Ten resorts are located less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport. And Utah’s mountains receive over 13 metres of The Greatest Snow on Earth annually.
The Salt Lake City International Airport opened last year and is equipped to handle the millions of passengers that arrive and depart each year. Additional gates opening soon.
Four resorts are located in Salt Lake County and are accessible by public transportation. Alta and Snowbird are in Little Cottonwood Canyon (Nothing little about Little Cottonwood Canyon) only 10km up the canyon from Salt Lake City. Great snow, great terrain, delicious food, excellent lessons for all abilities and ages. Heli skiing is available at Snowbird with Wasatch Powderbird. Purchase the Ski City Super Pass through Visit Salt Lake or the Ikon Pass to ski Alta, Brighton, Solitude and Snowbird.
Alta Ski Area, the second oldest operating ski area in the United States, sits at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and is a skiers-only mountain. Each year, it receives over 500 inches (13 meters) of The Greatest Snow on Earth®. Last season they received 903 inches (23 meters)! Parking reservations will be needed Fri-Sun and holidays.
Brighton Ski Resort is located 45 minutes from Salt Lake City at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is known for its learn-to-ski and ride programs and is a mecca for snowboarders from around the world. New left and day lodge added this year. Parking reservations will be needed daily.
Solitude sits next to Brighton up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Enjoy a European-style village and on a powder day, Honeycomb Canyon is not to be missed. New lift this season. Parking reservations are needed daily. Paid parking.
All four of these resorts accept the Ikon Pass.
After a day on the slopes Salt Lake City offers great nightlife including restaurants, bars, NBA Utah Jazz basketball, sightseeing, shopping, Broadway-caliber theater and more.
Park City is Winter’s Favorite Town and is only 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport. Three ski resorts call Park City their home.
Park City Mountain, the largest ski resort in the USA and accepts the Epic Pass.
With two base areas, Park City and Canyons, skiers and snowboarders can experience all levels of skiing and can even take a mining tour to witness how Park City got its start. These complimentary tours are offered each morning at 10 a.m. at the Park City base. One thing that is special for beginners is that the beginner terrain on the Canyons side is actually mid-mountain so beginners are able to take the gondola to see some of the most beautiful views in the Wasatch mountains. Park City and Snowbasin are part of the Epic Pass.
Top rated, ski only, Deer Resort – a skier’s only mountain accepts the Ikon Pass
Deer Valley Resort is a skiers-only mountain and is known for its snow grooming, unmatched service, pristine snow grooming and its delicious food. They limit their skiers each day. Be sure and take a complimentary guided tour of the mountain offered each day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Deer Valley. New expansion coming 2024–25 season.
Woodward Park City is an indoor/outdoor adventure centre that offers skiing, snowboarding, halfpipes, rails, boxes, tubing, trampolines, skate and bike park and much more.
The Utah Olympic Park. Features two museums. One with 2002 Olympic memorabilia and the other about the history of skiing in the Intermountain West. You can watch athletes train on the Olympic ski jumps, perform aerial feats or race down the Olympic bobsleigh or luge tracks.
At the base of Mount Timpanogos and just 45 minutes from Park City sits Sundance Resort. A visit to the Owl Bar, the actual bar frequented by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, after skiing, is a must. New lifts last year and new pools coming next season.
Just 50 minutes from Salt Lake City is Snowbasin, site of the 2002 Olympic Downhill. The skiing and snowboarding are only matched by the spectacular views from the top of Mount Ogden. Be sure and enjoy the live music at the Cinnabar at the end of the day.
Once you ski Powder Mountain, you’ll keep coming back. True to its name, Powder Mountain is heaven on a powder day, or any day. Spend the day skiing the groomed trails or take a snow cat ride to the top of Lightening Ridge and make first tracks all day long. $100M in improvements will be made over the next several years.
Southern Utah offers two ski resorts, Eagle Point and Brian Head. You can catch a glimpse of Cedar Breaks National Monument while skiing Brian Head.
Utah is the only place in North America where you can ski six resorts in a single day. The Interconnect Tour takes skiers through Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain, Solitude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird. Tour is booked through skituah.com/interconnect. The tour runs every day during the season, weather and conditions permitting.
Utah boasts five iconic National Parks (Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion). The parks are open year-round so plan to stay a few extra days and visit one, or all of them."
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