Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton are all located a mere 30 minute drive away from Salt Lake City, and the Salt Lake International Airport. This gives you an opportunity to have a "Morning Flight - Afternoon Delight". And what a delight to ski or snowboard on over 500 inches of dry, light, Utah powder.

But what does this powder mean for your vacation? It means that the snow that you ski on will be fresh, no more than minutes, hours, or days old. At some areas in other states, the same meager snow is groomed day after day causing it to become hard and icy. Utah powder falling regularly means that soft pillowy snow is lightly groomed into soft corduroy. This softer snow is easier to carve in, easier to slow down and stop in, easier to ski, and a lot more forgiving when you do fall. You'll rarely hear the scary, screeching, icy scratch that changes your day into damage control rather than bliss.

The dry snow also means that you will stay dryer. Take a seat on our snow and you won't soak up a wet spot. And no wetness means less cold. A dry body is a warm body. Especially with the advances of ski clothing, you can stay dry in the inside and outside.

The dry snow also makes for easier snow removal on the roads. Skiers are often surprised to learn that the Salt Lake valley only sees a few days of snow on the ground per season. Even when it is sunny and dry in the city, the mountains can receive piles of snow. This is due to the desert climate and the lake effect caused by the Great Salt Lake.

The Pacific Ocean releases moisture into clouds heading east. These clouds deposit wet snow and rain on the west coast. They then travel over the deserts of Nevada and Utah refining their precious cargo. Then the clouds hit the Great Salt Lake. The lake's temperature and added moisture disrupt the clouds. Next, the active clouds hit the Wasatch Mountain Range. The wall of mountains trap the clouds, demanding that they lighten their load. This load of snowflakes drop in snow flake crystals containing 96% air and 4% water. Bring your snorkel, cause it can be deep. Nightly storms and daily sun make for the best skiing conditions on earth.

Utah Vacation Homes offers a variety of private homes and condos to suit every groups needs. Our website is complete with pictures, rates, and descriptions of rental homes and condos. If you are planning a ski trip and are searching for Salt Lake City Lodging, this site will provide properties near the Cottonwood Canyons. These homes and condos are ideal for skiing Alta and Snowbird.