Snowbasin kicks off 85th season Friday

The high terrain of Snowbasin Resort. Photo: Rachel Ayotte

SNOWBASIN, Utah — Snowbasin Ski Resort will open for its 85th season on Friday, December 5, offering top-to-bottom skiing across 2,500 feet of vertical terrain. The resort, recently ranked America’s No. 1 ski resort by USA Today for the second consecutive year, will debut three lifts: Needles Gondola, Middle Bowl Express, and Littlecat Express, with additional lifts planned to open soon.

Available trails will include Sweet Revenge, Bullwinkle, the newly expanded Bear Hollow, School Hill, Snowshoe, and more. A small terrain park will be open at the base on Littlecat trail.

Opening Day festivities will feature DJ Richie T, prize giveaways, and special treats including 850 free cookies to celebrate Snowbasin’s 85th birthday. The first 100 guests in line will receive jersey tank tops with the number 85. Monster Energy will also be handing out free drinks. Skiers are allowed to camp overnight in the Needles Gondola line Thursday night, with equipment cleared by 7 a.m. Friday.

Dining outlets open at the start of the season will include Earl’s Lodge, Needles Lodge, and the Overlook Bar. Snowbasin, ranked No. 6 by SKI Magazine for dining, will debut new menu items such as the Porchetta Frutteto Sandwich, Bolognese, Elotes, Shoyu Ramen, and Breakfast Pambazo.

The resort will also launch its new RFID pass and ticket scanning system. Season pass holders can pick up their cards daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or use self-service kiosks open 24/7. During Opening Weekend, the Meadow Yurt will open at 7 a.m. for pass pickup.

Snowbasin has extended its Black Friday sale through Opening Weekend, offering discounts on season passes, lessons, rentals, and the Basin Flex card, giving skiers more time to secure savings for the season.