Utah Ski Resort Opening Dates for 2026-27, and What's New for Skiers From Provo

Utah's ski season has a calendar now. As of Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, Brian Head plans to open first on Nov. 6, followed by Alta, Solitude and Park City Mountain on Nov. 20, Snowbird and Snowbasin on Nov. 27, Deer Valley on Dec. 5 and Powder Mountain on Dec. 11, according to Ski Utah, the state's ski industry association. Sundance, about 20 to 25 minutes from downtown Provo up Provo Canyon, and Brighton have not announced dates. Every date is conditions permitting.

Opening dates, 2026-27

Ski Utah's list, dated Oct. 1 and current as of this writing, matches the dates Snowstash published on Oct. 4. Beaver Mountain, Nordic Valley, Cherry Peak, Woodward Park City and Snowland had not set dates. For the small northern hills, our guide to Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley, Cherry Peak and Beaver Mountain covers the drive from Utah Valley.

What's new at the resorts Provo skis most

Sundance. The headline change closest to home is the Electric Horseman Express, a high-speed quad on the back mountain. Sundance says it starts near the base of the Wildwood Lift and climbs to the top of Red's Lift at Bearclaw Summit, about 1,850 vertical feet per lap, and serves new terrain on the Far East Ridge, including a long groomed ridge run with views over Utah Valley and Heber Valley. Sundance previewed the area last winter and said full operations start this season. Published acreage figures for the new terrain differ between Sundance's 2025 announcement and later reports, so we have left the number out.

Brighton. A new Off-Peak Pass covers most non-holiday weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every day after 2 p.m., including weekends, with night skiing. Night skiing now runs Sundays, and the weekly maintenance night moves to Tuesday, Ski Utah reports.

Snowbird and Solitude. Snowbird adds a new four-seat chair and more terrain at Chickadee, its beginner area, plus 11 automated snow guns. Solitude added fixed and mobile snowmaking to cover more terrain early.

Alta. The renovated Albion Day Lodge at the Albion base opens this winter.

Park City and Deer Valley. Park City's new Canyon Village Skyway Gondola replaces the open-air Cabriolet between the parking structure and Canyon Village. Deer Valley opens the Hail Peak Express, adding about 200 skiable acres near its East Village, the base most Provo drivers use because it is about 51 minutes away up Provo Canyon.

Powder Mountain adds the DMI lift at the Sundown base, opening terrain that was previously reached only by hiking or a guided tour, and replaces the Sundown lift with a high-speed quad.

Getting there from Utah Valley

There is no winter shortcut over the mountains from Provo. The Alpine Loop closes with the first serious snow, so trips to the Cottonwoods and Park City go north on I-15 first. Our guide to skiing near Provo compares the resorts by drive and by what a day costs.

• Without a car: UTA's seasonal Route 880 runs between University Place in Orem and Sundance, and the Cottonwoods are a FrontRunner-to-TRAX-to-ski-bus trip. Both are laid out in getting to Sundance and the resorts without a car and the ski bus and carpool guide. UTA announces winter ski service each fall, so check the current schedule before your first trip.
• Passes: if you are deciding between a season pass and day tickets for a family, see ski passes for Utah Valley families.
• First time on skis: learning to ski or snowboard near Provo covers lessons and the real first-day cost.
• Working a season: students looking for a ski-resort job can start with winter ski season jobs for students.

How to know when your resort opens

Opening days move with the weather. Resorts post changes on their own websites and social accounts first; Ski Utah's snow report lists what is open each day. If a resort opens with only a few runs on man-made snow, expect beginner and intermediate terrain only for the first week or two.

Provo.com will update this page as Sundance and Brighton announce their dates.