This Often-overlooked Utah Ski Area Is Among the Nation's Largest-With an Average 360 Inches of Snow a Year

"It's snowing lightly as I pull into the main parking lot at Powder Mountain. There's no charge to park on weekdays, which is my first clue that this northeast Utah ski area is not typical. Kids lounge in snowbanks while their parents pick up lift tickets at the window, and riders stow PB&J-filled backpacks to retrieve at lunch."

"The problem is, those mom-and-pop-style resorts typically have mom-and-pop-style skiing-just a few lifts, not a lot of terrain, and meager snow. That's where Powder Mountain stands out. It's got that homey feel in terms of services and amenities, but big-resort energy in terms of terrain. Powder Mountain has 5,000 skiable acres, and its snow is 100 percent natural. Thanks to an average of 360 inches of fresh snow a year, there's no need for snowmaking."

""It's all about the snow; we have quality snow in abundance," Blair Kohn, former chief membership officer at Powder Mountain, told Travel + Leisure. "Lines are always short; you can find leftover powder days after a storm." Ski season at Powder Mountain typically runs from early December to mid-April but is extremely dependent on snowfall and coverage. The best time to visit for a fully open mountain with plenty of coverage and powder is between mid-January and late March."

Powder Mountain offers an uncomplicated, old-school ski experience with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere and minimal curation. The resort provides expansive terrain—about 5,000 skiable acres—paired with 100 percent natural snow and an average of 360 inches of annual snowfall, eliminating the need for snowmaking. Short lift lines and the ability to find leftover powder days after storms characterize on-mountain conditions. The typical ski season runs from early December to mid-April, with the best coverage and powder between mid-January and late March. Family and snowboard events include Grom Fest in January and the Turn N Burn banked slalom in March.

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