Athletes Sammy and Chelsea walk around Solitude village in the tall snowbanks. Photo: Martha Howe // Ski Utah.

UTAH — With the addition of more snow on Monday, Bright Resort has officially reached 703 inches of snowfall for the year. While that is a milestone in itself, this is the earliest for such a total to occur since 1943, when snowfall recording began in Utah.

To celebrate the achievement, Ski Utah, Visit Salt Lake, The Utah Office of Tourism, and Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City are working together to unfurl a banner on the side of the new downtown Hyatt Regency in Salt Lake City that spans 700 inches.

“Ski Utah is thrilled to witness this historic season,” said Nathan Rafferty, President of Ski Utah. “Skiers and snowboarders from around the world have been able to enjoy copious quantities of The Greatest Snow on Earth®. We knew we had to celebrate this feat in a big way in the middle of Salt Lake City.”

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Scenic photos of Little Cottonwood canyon from Grizzly Gulch. Photo: Martha Howe // Ski Utah.

“2022-2023 has been a banner year for Salt Lake area ski resorts,” said Kaitlin Eskelson, President & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. “Skiers and boarders follow the snow, and with over 58 feet of total snowfall, we’ve enjoyed showcasing Salt Lake’s unique urban meets mountain setting to visitors from across the globe.”

On average, Utah receives around 500 inches, almost 42 feet, of snow per winter season. To put that into context, that is roughly four African elephants stacked on top of each other. This year’s 700 inches, or a little over 58 inches, equates to almost 6 African elephants stacked on top of each other. That’s longer than the average peak size of a humpback whale by six feet.

“I flew over Big and Little Cottonwood canyons on my way into Salt Lake yesterday,” said Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism. “The majesty was breathtaking. Skiers and drought watchers alike will celebrate this.”

HAPPY 700 DAY! WE CROSSED THE 700 INCH LINE 🤯❄️ We are now at 703 inches and counting as snow will be falling throughout the day. It is a groundbreaking season and we’re so happy that we get to share it with you. Do you think we’ll break 800 this season? pic.twitter.com/SDZSawh9jy
— Brighton Resort (@BrightonResort) March 20, 2023