Skiing

Skiing dates back over 5,000 years. The oldest known skis were discovered in Russia and Scandinavia, where early humans used them for transportation across snowy terrain.

• ~3000 BCE — Earliest evidence in Scandinavia and Russia
• 1760s — Norwegian military begins using skis for training
• 1850s — Modern skiing emerges with Sondre Norheim's bindings
• 1924 — First Winter Olympics in Chamonix includes skiing
• 1936 — First ski lift installed in Sun Valley, Idaho

Snowboarding is much newer, emerging in the 1960s and 70s. Sherman Poppen invented the "Snurfer" in 1965 by binding two skis together.

• 1965 — Sherman Poppen creates the Snurfer
• 1977 — Jake Burton starts Burton Snowboards
• 1985 — First resorts allow snowboarding
• 1998 — Snowboarding debuts at the Winter Olympics

Fun fact: Alta still doesn't allow snowboarding—one of only a few resorts with a skiers-only policy.

Snowbird is where I learned to ski and where I've spent the most time. Known for challenging terrain and incredible snowfall.

• Vertical Drop: 3,240 feet
• Skiable Terrain: 2,500 acres
• Average Snowfall: 500+ inches annually
• Signature: Aerial tram to Hidden Peak (11,000 ft)

The downside? It's gotten incredibly crowded as Utah's population has grown and the secret of "The Greatest Snow on Earth" has spread.

Alta is Snowbird's neighbor and one of the oldest ski resorts in the country. I love Alta for its old-school vibe and legendary powder.

• Vertical Drop: 2,538 feet
• Skiable Terrain: 2,614 acres
• Average Snowfall: 560 inches annually
• Notable: Skiers only—no snowboarding allowed

Combined with Snowbird via AltaBird pass, you get 5,000+ acres of terrain.

I spent a full season at Brighton. It's the oldest resort in Utah and has a more laid-back, local vibe than Little Cottonwood.

• Vertical Drop: 1,875 feet
• Skiable Terrain: 1,050 acres
• Notable: Night skiing, great terrain parks

Solitude lives up to its name. Usually less crowded than the other Wasatch resorts.

• Vertical Drop: 2,494 feet
• Skiable Terrain: 1,200 acres
• Notable: Mellow vibe, great tree skiing

Park City is the largest ski resort in the United States after merging with Canyons Resort in 2015.

• Opened: 1963 (as Treasure Mountain)
• Skiable Terrain: 7,300+ acres
• Trails: 330+
• Lifts: 41

The Canyons has an interesting history of name changes and ownership.

• 1968 — Opens as Park West
• 1995 — Renamed Wolf Mountain
• 1997 — Becomes The Canyons with major expansion
• 2013 — Vail Resorts takes over operations
• 2015 — Merges with Park City via Quicksilver Gondola

Deer Valley is the luxury resort—limited daily tickets, immaculate grooming, and incredible on-mountain dining. Skiers-only like Alta.

• Vertical Drop: 3,000 feet
• Skiable Terrain: 2,026 acres
• Notable: Limited to 7,500 skiers per day, no snowboarding

Recently announced a massive expansion that will nearly double its terrain.