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Solitude Ski Resort
If ever we’ve heard of a cracking reason to start a ski resort, this is it. Billionaire uranium miner, Robert Barrett was one day barred from the restroom at Alta (a “guests only” privilege). So affronted, he set to work building a ski resort of his very own, right next door... Setting his sights on Big Cottonwood Canyon, the next canyon across, he bought up all the land and began building the cosy, Bavarian-style village that hasn’t grown much to this day.
Surrounded by the same Wasatch mountain range as some of the biggest resort names in US skiing, the area is blanketed in a huge 500 inches of snow a season. The terrain is varied and it’s interesting, stuffed with open bowls, steep chutes, groomed cruisers, and great fall line tree runs. The atmosphere is laid-back and “local”, the bathrooms open to all... Best yet, it’s one of the quietest resorts in all of Utah.
Why so quiet? It’s one of life’s mysteries. Perhaps because the smaller 1200-acre ski area doesn’t attract the attention that nearby super ski resorts do. Whatever the reason, it makes Solitude a haven for families. This place has the highest ratio of beginner and intermediate terrain in the Salt Lake City area. Powder puppies are big fans too, for the likelihood of fresh lines is high.
Buildings are split between the Moonbeam base and Solitude Village (where the hotels are based), but you won’t need a map to make your way round. Nothing’s ever very far from a ski lift, all the quicker for getting out to the slopes when an epic dump hits!
Stats & FAQ
Location: Utah, USA
Established: 1956
Open: December - April
Downhill: 1200 acres / 77 runs
View our detailed Solitude snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Solitude snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) | 33 miles, 1 hour |
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| Top Altitude: | 10,035ft / 3059m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 7988ft / 2435m |
| Resort Altitude: | 7988ft / 2435m |
| Longest run: | 3.5 miles / 5.6km |
| Slope Orientation: | N |
| Vertical Drop: | 2047ft / 624m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 1200 acres / 77 runs |
| Beginner slopes: | 10% |
| Intermediate: | 40% |
| Advanced slopes: | 50% |
| Lift Pass Price: | $65-83 (single day adult pass) |
| Nearby resorts: Park City | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Solitude
1200 acres of mixed ability terrain, three bowls and some of the most impressive off-piste terrain in the country. If this doesn’t suffice, the resort of Brighton (and another 1050 acres) is just over the hill and accessible on a SolBright pass.
Lots of beginners make their first turns in Solitude. The ski school has a magic carpet but many skip this and head straight for the incredibly gentle Easy Street (served by the incredibly gentle Link chair). A less intimidating run you will not find. Super wide runs off the Moonbeam Express are the next stop, giving lots of room to master turns. For inspiration, the North Star and South Star trails run through the evergreens, while looking up at the resort’s sheerest steeps, Milk Run and Parachute.
There isn’t a lift in Solitude without a blue run to take, with easier blues typically off the Sunrise and Apex chairs, and more challenging ones off the Summit and Eagle Express lifts. Dynamite is a long, winding, steep road back to base, for a challenge to work up an appetite before lunch. Solitude is also a great place to learn how to ski powder. Hop off the trails into the trees then safely back to the piste again – easy in the area under the Apex Chair.
Some say Solitude has overemphasized the blacks on its map – but there’s plenty of tough terrain. The Powderhorn II quad services a half dozen advanced runs in an open bowl. Hands down the best advanced terrain is off-piste, especially that found in Honeycomb Canyon at the back of the resort. Here, provided you’re happy to traverse a little, you’ll often find yourself alone with a mix of fitness-testing chutes, trees and bowls. On much of the mountain you could hear a pin drop (if there’s wasn’t such deep powder to cushion it…), so Solitude is often fit to bursting with freshies even after several days without snowfall.
Solitude Apres Ski
Solitude tucks itself in early, but it can muster up some lovely, cosy evenings with warm spirits and fine food. If you’re loathe to part with your après ski booze – the Library Bar (contrary to name) doesn’t have a bespectacled bookkeeper to tell you to be quiet, and serves cocktails like Whiskey Smash in view of the setting sun. A place you’ll be happy to sit in ski gear, the Thirsty Squirrel is a rustic spot for an après beer and billiards.
With 10 restaurants to choose from, dinners are the main event after a day on the hill. St Bernard’s is possibly the loveliest of the lot– somehow making a buffet an elegant and upscale experience. Then, no Solitude sojourn would be complete without a trip (walking, snowshoeing or XC skiing) to The Yurt, where a gourmet five-course meal awaits.
There’s a small ice rink in the centre of the village, firepits to chat and warm the mitts round and a pool and games room at the Club. Afternoons here follow a traditional formula - sit back, relax, picking up a page-turner or spend your downtime at the Solitude Mountain Spa, with scrubs and wraps that will buff you baby smooth.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Solitude
Best time to visit & ski Solitude
Among the “elite Rockies 6” for snow reliability, Solitude enjoys huge snowfalls of quality dry Utah powder, with a huge average of 500 inches (13m) annually. Playing it safe, the resort also has snowmaking facilities on 12.5% of the terrain - the “high-traffic” areas. Lots of north facing slopes (most of the lifts face that way) hold their snow well till late in the season. This all means there really isn’t a bad time to ski Solitude. Though - patchiness in the back, expert-side of the mountain, may make January or February (when the most snow tends to fall) a safer option.
This is also a smashing spot for peak dates, given that on most days lift queues are barely warrant the name.
Peak Dates
Christmas in Solitude will have everyone feeling festive. Previous years, kids could ski with Santa on the big day and the Children’s Glow Parade let them take a snowcat up the mountain to ride back down with glow sticks.
You’ll often need a Christmas miracle to find fresh powder for the 1st, not the case with New Year in Solitude! Celebrate with a toddy at the Library Bar and watch the ski instructors take last run of the year in the annual torchlit parade
Take a load off for Half Term in Solitude. This resort prides itself on its lack of lift lines and there’s huge peace of mind knowing powder almost definitely awaits.
Annual Easter egg hunts and skiing with the bunny keep the kids content for Easter in Solitude.
Families in Solitude
For a family ski trip there’s lots to love about Solitude. For starters, it’s so quiet – perfect for not losing little ones in crowds round the quads. You don’t need a map to get around the base, and the same goes for the lower slopes, so keeping track of junior isn’t a full-time job.
The Youth Snowsports Academy does special programs for ages 3-13, while childcare is available at the Moonbeam base area for little nippers 4 years and younger; by the hour or for the full day. For children 2 to 5 years, a ski and play combo’s available which includes private ski lessons. For an evening minus the minions at the Library bar, evening babysitting is also available.
The resort has had offers in recent years like children under 6 getting free lift passes.
GroupsGroup Holidays Solitude
If your group is more about fresh powder and varied terrain than Jagerbombs at dawn, Solitude’s just the ticket. Snow is sure, nothing’s too far away and you can hit the neighbouring ski area of Brighton if you run out of new runs. On the mountain, make the newly renovated Roundhouse your meetup for cheap Himalayan lunches.
For an activity to include in the holiday album, up to 20 can make an evening expedition to the Yurt for gourmet grub you won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
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