Spring Break Destinations – Skiing in Salt Lake City

Let’s think about this. One of the reasons we all go to the beach for Spring Break is because we don’t already live there. If we did, sure, it’d still be nice, but would it be a vacation? Not really. This is probably why a lot of residents in beach towns escape the tolling rhythm of the surf (not to mention thousands of drunk college students) and head to the mountains.

We mentioned this a few weeks back, but with Spring Break 2009 bearing down on us like a wintertime flurry, we’re returning with spirited vigor. The Salt Lake Valley is one of our favorite Spring Break destinations.

For one thing, the lengthy ski season, stretching from November all the way to May, means that visitors from mid-March to early-April don’t have to suffer the thinning dregs of peaks past their … well, peak. For another, popular though they are, Salt Lake Valley and the Wasatch Mountains don’t claim the prestige of top Colorado resorts, and that means value for money to the average Spring Breaker.

Location is another great consideration. Unlike Colorado, where you more or less have to stay at the resort unless you want to kick off every morning with an hour-plus drive, over in Utah you can find easy, affordable accommodations in Salt Lake City and be less than twenty miles from several top-notch resorts. Here at USA Travel Guide, we appreciate that versatility.

We recommended Brighton before, so this time let’s go with another perennial favorite: Alta. Consistently ranked as the #1 ski resort in the U.S. by Skiing Magazine, Alta Ski Resort is now celebrating 70 years in operation, outlasting up and down economies, climates and tastes, so you know they’re doing something right. Alta claims over 100 runs and provides a nice mix for any level of skier. No snowboards though, so if you’re a boarder at heart, head back to Brighton.

Once again, for hotels in Salt Lake City we like the SpringHill Suites Salt Lake City Airport. It’s a new property, and word is good. Plus they provide free shuttle to/from the airport. Since most major ski resort in Salt Lake City offer busses from town (you can often package this service with your slope tickets), you might be able to enjoy your entire Salt Lake City ski trip without renting a car, which is a nice opportunity to save some scratch.

For more Spring Break destinations and ideas, check out the Spring Break 2009 Ideas Center.

Related Posts

1. Ski Vacations in Salt Lake City, Utah
2. Deer Valley Music Festival Starts in Salt Lake City
3. Unusual Spring Break Destinations – Texas Hill Country
4. Spring Break Spots – Big Bear Lake, California
5. Top 10 Spring Break Destinations for Families
6. Spring Break 2009 Beach Destinations – North Carolina
7. Top 10 Spring Break Destinations for 2012