While winters in Arizona offer the most pleasant weather in the U.S., it can also be nice to get away to enjoy a snowy winter vacation. Snowbasin Ski Resort in Utah offers world-class skiing, stunning mountain views, and a seamless travel experience with just a one-hour flight from Phoenix. Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport, stay at the quaint Little America Hotel, and then take a scenic 45-minute drive to the No. 1-rated Snowbasin Resort for a thrilling day on the slopes. After a day of skiing, unwind in the charming town of Huntsville at Compass Rose Lodge, a cozy retreat perfect for après-ski relaxation. Whether planning a luxury ski weekend or an adventure-filled winter escape, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your Snowbasin vacation.
What is Snowbasin
Snowbasin Resort is one of the oldest continually operated ski resorts in North America opening in 1940, and is one of the few major ski resorts in America that is still family-owned. Part of the Grand America Hotels and Resorts family, Snowbasin is known for making skiing and snowboarding accessible and enjoyable for guests of all ages and skill levels. From the instructors to the staff throughout the resort, Snowbasin is known for creating a friendly environment that makes guests feel welcome and comfortable.
In 2025, Snowbasin was ranked the No. 1 Ski Resort in North America by three nationally renowned outlets: USA TODAY, SKI Magazine, and Outside. The annual guide consists of 15 categories that evaluate guest experience, and this year, Snowbasin ranked in the top 10 in 12 categories, including value, access, parking, and food.
Snowbasin offers 3,000 vertical feet and 3,000 acres of terrain for every skier or snowboarder to explore. In 2002, it hosted the Salt Lake Winter Games and has been named the official Alpine Skiing venue for the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Olympic trails, Grizzly Downhill and Wildflower Downhill, will be available for guests to experience leading into the 2034 Olympics, allowing visitors to “ski like an Olympian.”
If you are new to skiing or snowboarding, Snowbasin will make you feel welcome with lessons for both kids and adults. Whether you’re a first-timer or just want help upgrading your turns or taking on steeper terrain, Snowbasin Resort offers both private and group lessons. It also has an award-winning they-year Learn & Earn program, a truly unique opportunity exclusive to Snowbasin. It also offers an 80 percent discount by bundling your passes, gear, and lessons into one package. Adults and children ages 4-plus who have never skied or snowboarded before can sign up for the program, complete the three all-day lessons and earn a season pass for the remainder of the ski season.
Where to Stay
To get to Snowbasin Resort, fly from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Salt Lake City International Airport for a short one-hour and 14-minute direct flight, available on a variety of different airlines. Once you arrive, we recommend renting a car and driving just 10 minutes from the airport to Little America Hotel in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake City. Here you can settle in for the night and prepare for your day at Snowbasin. The next morning, you can set out on the scenic 45-minute drive up to Huntsville for a day of skiing and snowboarding.
After you wrap up your day on the slopes, drive just 15 minutes to Compass Rose Lodge, located in the most charming neighborhood in Huntsville. When you pull up, you will think it looks like something straight out of a Hallmark movie, and you will, in fact, be correct. It was no surprise to learn that Compass Rose Lodge was featured in two Hallmark Christmas movies in 2019 and 2022. Established in 2018, Compass Rose Lodge offers 15 premium hotel rooms. Locals Jeff and Bonnie Hyde and their sons Dakota and River created this boutique hotel, combining Ogden Valley’s history with modern amenities. Whether you’re spending one or multiple days at Snowbasin, Compass Rose Lodge makes a great home base for your trip. Unwind from a day of skiing in a premium bed with comfy pillows and cozy linens, and enjoy Beekman 1802 artisan bath products.
What to Eat
While staying at Little America Hotel, you will be steps from all the best restaurants in Downtown Salt Lake City to explore. If you would like to stay on the property, Lucky H offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, including a gourmet buffet. Enjoy salads, sides, carving stations, and homemade desserts.
Snowbasin offers a plethora of dining options throughout the resort. The Cinnabar, located in Earl’s Lodge at the base of the mountain, is an elevated gastro-pub. This restaurant features a stunning red chandelier and a large fireplace, making this a warm and inviting lounge to enjoy lunch and cocktails while taking a break from the slopes. Ordering the fondue to share with the table is a must at Cinnabar.
For 360-degree views of the mountains and valley, take the Needles Gondola up to the top for dining 8,700 feet above sea level at the Needles Lodge. Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., this is the perfect place to refuel for lunch before heading back down the mountain. You can take Needles Gondola back down and soak in the views from there or ski down the mountain after lunch.
Once you’ve settled in at Compass Rose Lodge, visiting the Shooting Star Saloon is a must. This piece of history is the oldest continuously operating Saloon West of the Mississippi. This building was originally erected in 1850 as a mercantile and was converted into what it is today in 1879. You truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you enter the Shooting Star Saloon. There are dollar bills taped to the ceiling, an old jukebox that takes quarters for a song, and a resident cat named Hank who lives on the back stoop. Order a beer and cheeseburger or hot dog and soak in the history.
Compass Rose Lodge offers complimentary breakfast at the onsite coffee shop, First Lift Coffee. Enjoy specialty DOMA coffee, herbal teas, and hot cocoa. A tabletop on an old bicycle, ski lift chairs for seating and old photos of the family skiing make this coffee shop an absolute delight to enjoy breakfast.
Nearby Downtown Ogden offers a great selection of mountain town restaurants to choose from, including Sonoran Grill, serving modern Mexican cuisine, an upscale pub called Harp and Hound, and family-owned Table 25 for American cuisine.
Things to Do
While the obvious thing to do on this trip is to ski or snowboard, there are other fun things to explore in the evenings with two feet on the ground. Ogden is known for its art scene, making it a great place to explore and shop. Stop in local art galleries or visit the Eccles Community Art Center to view changing exhibits of art by regional and local artists.
The Compass Rose Lodge offers one of the most interesting and unique amenities in any hotel in Utah–the Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory (HALO). HALO offers Starwalk tours Monday to Saturday (Sundays by request) with an expert guide that will share views of the stars, planets, and moons through high-tech telescopes from the observatory.
Another unique amenity at Compass Rose Lodge is the Compass Rose Tipis. Ogden Valley has a strong Native American heritage, so these Tipis are a way of honoring the native tradition of gathering. The Tipis can be rented for an hourly rate and guests can bring in food and drinks to enjoy with friends and family. The Tipis feature heaters, chairs, and blankets for a comfortable and memorable gathering.
If you’re looking for an adventurous and snowy winter vacation that is an easy and accessible trip from Phoenix, Snowbasin Resort will not disappoint. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-timer, this ski resort will make you feel welcome and provide an experience you won’t soon forget.
For more information about Snowbasin Ski Resort in Utah, visit www.snowbasin.com.
3925 E. Snowbasin Rd.
Huntsville, UT