Adventourus Active Vacations

SKI  SNOWBIRD / ALTA

    Famous for steep and deep with 3,000-foot vertical runs from the top of the tram. Now interconnected, Snowbird and Alta collectively offer some of the most dramatic terrain in the country with steep chutes, wide- open bowls, long groomers and plenty of deep powder.

    The Snowbird tram gets you to the summit in eight minutes, so you can ski your heart out. New this season is the Peruvian High Speed quad providing access to a 600 foot tunnel (with a four-minute “people mover” style lift through it – you don’t have to walk) and the best intermediate terrain of Mineral Basin. Aptly named, Snowbird really does have “the greatest snow on earth” and plenty of it.

    Alta is one of those areas that never changed its desire to preserve and protect the ski experience of its guests. The Alta "skiing emphasis" attempts to match the number of skiers with its facilities. Check out the new Wildcat Base Area - Alta's first big facelift in years. There is little question that the small cluster of classic ski lodges atop Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to one of the finest ski experiences in the world.

     And if you need a big city fix, Salt Lake City is just 35 minutes down the canyon. The city has inexpensive winter lodging and makes an ideal base for a "ski safari" to all the area resorts.

Accessibility
Snowbird is just 29 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport with more than 600 daily non-stop flights from most major U.S. cities and 25 miles from downtown Salt Lake City. Snowbird is a scenic 45-minute drive from the airport, making same-day skiing and flying a reality.

Transportation
Getting to the Bird is easy. Several transportation companies offer non-stop shuttles from Salt Lake International Airport to Snowbird's front door. Once at Snowbird, the only transportation needed is a pair of skis or a snowboard - the Tram and chairs provide the rest.

Lifts
One Aerial Tram, 10 chairlifts including three high-speed detachable quads and seven doubles (most with arm and leg rests) and two rope tows. Most lifts run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except Chickadee, which is open until 8:30 p.m. for night skiing on Wednesdays and Fridays and luge on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Uphill Capacity
16,800 skiers and snowboarders per hour.

Runs
85

Acreage
2,500 acres.

Terrain
27% beginner, 38% intermediate, 35% advanced/expert.

Snowfall
Snowbird averages approximately 500 inches of low-density, "dry" Utah powder annually. Thanks to ideal geography and a phenomenon called Lake Effect, Little Cottonwood Canyon powder is known worldwide.

Terrain Park
The expanded Snowbird Terrain Park moved to the Blue Bell run last season and now is serviced by the nearby Baby Thunder lift. This year's Terrain Park will explode with more features, hits, quarterpipes, rails and jumps. Snowbird's expert halfpipe is located on the Big Emma run and is accessed by the Mid Gad or Gadzoom lifts. New this season, Snowbird will build features and install rails creating an intermediate park near the Big Emma halfpipe. Look for beginner features on the Chickadee run near the Cliff Lodge.

Location
Snowbird, Utah is in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest in Little Cottonwood Canyon, one mile down canyon from Alta.

Elevation
Top of resort is 11,000-foot Hidden Peak, lowest point on the mountain is bottom of Baby Thunder chairlift at 7,760 feet. Thanks to a spring computer upgrade, the 125-person Tram covers 2,900 vertical feet in approximately seven minutes.

Longest Run
Chip's Run, 2.5 miles.

Longest Descent
Gad Valley, 3.5 miles.

Season
Utah's longest ski and snowboard season, mid-November through mid-May (conditions permitting).

Other Activities
In addition to world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, Snowbird offers ice skating outside the Cliff Lodge, tubing, orienteering and snowshoe tours.

THE GOLDMINER'S DAUGHTER  ($$$)

    The Goldminer's Daughter Lodge is a rustic, unassuming lodge situated in the world class Alta Ski Area. The friendliness and comfort of the Lodge, combined with the unique dining experience, have created traditions for generations of families, and has been the birthplace of many friendships. Our ideal location at the base of Alta's main lifts and ticket office offer the best ski-in, ski-out access on the mountain.

     A full breakfast and a la carte dinner are included in the room rate, which means you don't have to look around for restaurants for dinner, or worry about where to eat breakfast.

ALTA LODGE  ($$$$)

    Our ideal mountainside location affords ski-in, ski-out convenience to all of Alta Ski Resort. The Alta Lodge takes pride in a tradition of excellence, providing unsurpassed dining, the finest in accommodations and attentive service.

     Our Modified American Lodging Plan includes a full breakfast, afternoon tea, and four-course dinner.

With Snowbird just a mile away, guests ski the best of Little Cottonwood Canyon's powder with the Alta-Snowbird combined ski pass. Experience the "Greatest Snow on Earth" and Alta's Finest!

SALT LAKE CITY LODGING

    A Salt Lake City based "ski safari" enables you to visit the following ski resorts, all within a 45 minute drive:

ALTA                                                           SNOWBIRD
BRIGHTON                                                   SOLITUDE

PARK CITY                                                   DEER VALLEY

THE CANYONS

    Accommodation in Salt Lake is inexpensive, handy to the airport, and close to all the amenities and nightlife of the city.

RED LION HOTEL,

3 star

    Conveniently located in this world-renowned Olympic city, The Red Lion Hotel Salt Lake Downtown is a first-class hotel offering quality, style and easy access to urban and mountain attractions – all at a very comfortable price. Guests enjoy exceptional, private balcony views of downtown and mountains from each of our 392 deluxe guest rooms and suites. “Just-like-home” room amenities include free Net4Guests high-speed wireless Internet access, large workstations, in-room movies and room service. Complimentary parking and airport transportation are available.

    Relax and unwind in our heated outdoor pool and oversized whirlpool or workout in our state-of-the-art fitness center. Our Café Olympus serves family favorites for breakfast, lunch and dinner while the elegant Charcoal Room Restaurant and Sky Bar nightclub let you enjoy the height of fine dining and spectacular views.

ROYAL GARDEN INN, 2.5 star

   The Royal Garden Inn Salt Lake City Hotel and Convention Center provides lodging in downtown Salt Lake City in the heart of the city off Downtown I-15 and I-80 Exits. We are within walking distance of Temple Square, the Engery Solutions Arena, The Salt Palace Convention Center, The New Gateway Mall Complex, and the Central Business District.

   Services and amenities include:

• Wi-Fi throughout the entire property
• One of the largest outdoor pools (seasonal) in Salt Lake City
• Complimentary shuttle service to and from the Salt Lake International Airport
• Complimentary Hot Buffet Breakfast
• 6500 Square Feet of versatile convention space along with a professional catering staff.
• On site Valet and Coin-Op laundry service
• Fax and business services available at the Front Desk
• Hairdryers in all rooms
• Iron & Ironing Boards in all rooms
• Coffee Makers in all rooms
• In-House Pay Per View Movies
• In-House Nintendo in every room
• Voice mail in all rooms

INN AT SNOWBIRD, 

3 STAR

    Friendly and first-class, the Inn offers all the comforts of home including kitchens and wood burning fireplaces in most units. Accommodations vary from single bedrooms to studios to a studio/loft with attached bedroom.

    Other amenities at The Inn include a pool, hot tub, excercise facility, steam room and equipment lockers. The most intimate lodge at Snowbird, The Inn offers a relaxing atmosphere that keeps guests returning season after season.

CLIFF LODGE,  3 STAR

SNOWBIRD'S ONLY SKI IN / SKI OUT LODGING!

    Cliff Lodge offers an assortment of room types including standard bedrooms with mountain or canyon view. Each room includes a spacious slope side locker with boot heaters to cut down on room clutter. Amenities include a new outdoor pool complex, health spa, children's center, and four restaurants.

    The Cliff Lodge also offers high-speed wireless internet throughout the property, a business center, meeting rooms, a ski shop with full rental facilities, a ticket window, Mountain School office, concierge and entertainment throughout the winter.

     Included in each Cliff Lodge room: Hairdryer, coffee maker, small refrigerator, iron and ironing board.