Welcome back to another travel guide on Torey’s Treasures! This is our second winter living in Salt Lake City, and we’re here for one main reason—to ski and snowboard as much as possible while working remotely! After spending last season exploring the best slopes, cozy après-ski spots, and hidden local gems, we’ve learned all the insider tips to make the most of a winter trip to SLC 😉

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know before visiting Salt Lake City in the winter—what mountain pass is worth buying, the best places to stay, where to eat and grab a drink after a long day on the mountain, and all the essential tips to ensure your trip is seamless. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned skier, this guide will help you maximize your time in Utah’s winter wonderland. Let’s dive in!

 

SHOP MY WINTER LOOKS HERE

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK:

Coffee Shops:

• Publik Coffee Roasters: A popular spot known for its high-quality coffee and minimalist ambiance (our rental is right down the street from one of them and it’s awesome)!

• Three Pines Coffee: A favorite among locals for its exceptional brews and cozy atmosphere.

Brunch Spots:

• The Park Café: Renowned for its delicious breakfast and brunch offerings, this café is a local favorite.

• Eva’s Bakery: A charming bakery and café known for its delightful pastries and brunch dishes.

Happy Hour Spots (both in Park City):

• High West Saloon: A popular spot offering a vibrant atmosphere with a variety of cocktails and happy hour specials.

• No Name Saloon & Grill: Known for its extensive drink selection and lively happy hour scene.

Dinner Spots:

• Red Iguana: A family-owned Mexican restaurant celebrated for its rich and authentic flavors.

• Blue Iguana: Another excellent choice for Mexican cuisine, offering a variety of traditional dishes.

S’mores Spots (a fun winter activity): 

• Montage Deer Valley: Offers nightly s’mores sessions with gourmet marshmallow flavors like cinnamon, mocha, peppermint, caramel, and vanilla, along with dark or milk chocolate.

• Waldorf Astoria Park City: Provides s’mores experiences for guests, allowing them to enjoy roasting marshmallows by the fire.

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotels/Resorts/Rental:  

• The Grand America Hotel (Salt Lake City)– in the heart of SLC, luxurious, European style hotel with everything on property.
• Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley (Park City)– ski in/ski out, cozy alpine style accommodations, perfect for luxury winter getaways and après-ski relaxation.
• Airbnb or VRBO- both stays we actually rented an airbnb in the Avenues neighborhood of SLC (which I highly recommend)! It’s a cute, very safe, historic and charming residential area known for its tree-lined streets, stunning city and mountain views, and many classic Victorian style homes, all within close proximity to downtown, grocery stores, the airport, or the mountains!

WHAT TO DO:

Our main goal when visiting Utah in the winter is to hit the slopes as much as possible! Skiing (me) and snowboarding (my fiance) are our favorite hobby to do together, and we’ve been fortunate enough to explore a variety of incredible mountains over the years, so let’s get into it:

In 2024, we purchased the Ikon Pass and set out to try all the major ski resorts in Utah. While every mountain had something unique to offer, we quickly fell in love with Solitude and Brighton (shout out to our favorite lift, Sunrise). Both resorts provided amazing terrain, consistent powder, and a more laid-back atmosphere compared to some of the busier mountains. Whether we were carving through tree runs at Brighton or soaking in the peaceful, uncrowded vibes at Solitude, these two spots became our absolute favorites.

This year in 2025, we switched things up and went with the Epic Pass, which led us to Park City Mountain Resort—specifically the Canyons side. Fun fact: Park City is the largest ski resort in North America, and we loved the expansive terrain, the variety of runs, and the ease of getting in long, uninterrupted runs (our fave is Harmony- an amazingly long blue run through the trees and mansions).

We also made sure to return to Powder Mountain, which remains one of the most magical places we’ve ever skied. If you’re looking for breathtaking views, wide-open powder fields, and zero crowds, Powder Mountain is an absolute must. Some of our best ski and snowboard days have been here, feeling like we had the mountain to ourselves, floating through Utah’s legendary powder.

New for 2025, we also made a trip to Snowbasin, and wow—it did not disappoint! The open runs, gorgeous views, and top-tier grooming made for an incredible day on the slopes. It was the perfect mix of challenging terrain and breathtaking scenery!

Whether you’re a skier or snowboarder, or not- Utah’s mountains offer something for everyone, and each visit just makes us fall more in love with this winter paradise. I highly recommend checking out Park City Peaks Snowmobile tours if you’re looking for some adventure! We did this excursion last year on my fiancé’s birthday and had a blast!

Last thing- I highly recommend checking out Woodward Snow Tubing!! It was such a blast! We went last year on my birthday and I truly underestimated how fast and how fun it is! You can go down the mountain as many times as you want for your specific time slot, and let me tell you- you fly down the mountain in the best way! Woodward is located a short drive between SLC and Park City, and is for ALL ages 🙂

OTHER TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

I couldn’t recommend renting your ski and snowboard gear at EVO Salt Lake more! They are the definition of AMAZING. I’m talking the most beautiful and well maintained demos, boots, tons of options, helmets, you name it…they’ve got it! Not only do they have all the best gear, but their team is always SO friendly, knowledgeable, they pay attention to detail, and they’re super helpful when it comes to getting you fitted properly for the mountains! They also have a huge service shop where you can get fitted for all sorts of gear or get your gear tuned up properly, and in the summer they have tons of bike rentals, skateboard ramps, and believe it or not- even a hotel and coffee shop on site! It’s so neat, definitely check them out!

Definitely consider purchasing the Epic or the Ikon pass– those will be your ticket to the mountain, and truly if you plan on skiing or snowboarding more than 4 times, you will get your moneys worth! It seems like a huge upfront cost, but trust me, paying for weekend lift tickets nowadays is SO pricey, so the unlimited pass is well worth it, just be sure to research what mountains you’ll want to hit up because they vary on each pass!

A couple local MUST knows: Due to super salty roads during the winter, keeping your car clean and looking absolutely spotless, is tricky, however- with Detailing by Robsen it’s so easy 😉 He does affordable, mobile detailing and the inside & outside of your car will be looking sparkly & brand NEW in no time!! The best part- he makes it so convenient, you don’t even have to leave your house!

Last (but definitely not least)!!! If you’re looking for any aesthetic treatments- botox, facials, fillers, etc… RO Aesthetics in SLC is going to be your best bet! Serena gave me botox injections and she is so knowledgable and great at what she does. The space is absolutely gorgeous, and everyone is so nice! For all my local girlies out there, you can mention my name for 10 FREE units of botox too 😉