Solitude

Solitude Mountain Resort sits at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, about 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City in Utah — and it earns its name. With 1,200 acres, 8 lifts, and 500 inches of average annual snowfall, Solitude consistently receives some of the driest, lightest powder in the Wasatch Range. The peak elevation of 10,488 feet and a north-facing orientation mean the snow holds its quality longer than at many Utah resorts. For a mountain this close to a major city, Solitude feels genuinely uncrowded.

Solitude opened in 1957, one of several ski areas developed in the Cottonwood Canyons during Utah's postwar ski boom. It stayed small and locally focused for most of its history, which is part of what preserved the character. While neighboring resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon — Snowbird and Alta — drew the national attention, Solitude kept attracting skiers who preferred shorter lift lines and untracked stashes that lasted well into the afternoon. Alterra Mountain Company brought Solitude into the Ikon Pass network, raising its national visibility while the mountain itself has stayed much the same.

The terrain's quiet standout is Honeycomb Canyon — a steep, north-facing zone accessed from the summit that delivers some of the best lift-served powder skiing in Utah. Fantasy Ridge, the corniced ridge above the canyon, offers genuinely expert terrain with mandatory commitment. On the front side, the groomers off the Apex and Summit Express lifts provide smooth intermediate cruising, and the village at the base is small enough that you can walk from your car to the lift in minutes. Solitude is the Wasatch resort for skiers who have been to the big names and want something quieter. Mtns Co carries Solitude gear because the best-kept secret in Utah skiing deserves a closer look.