North of Ogden and up into Cache Valley, four smaller mountains keep a different kind of Utah skiing going: locally owned, cheaper or quieter than the big resorts, and in two cases open under the lights at night. From Provo they are two to three hours away, which makes the Ogden Valley pair a long day trip and the Cache Valley pair a weekend. Ski Utah's own weekend itinerary for them strings all four together over three days.
The drives
By OpenStreetMap routing from downtown Provo, without traffic:
- Nordic Valley: about 90 miles, an hour and 55 minutes, in Ogden Valley near Eden.
- Powder Mountain: about 96 miles, two hours, above Eden.
- Cherry Peak: about 143 miles, two hours 50 minutes, near Richmond in Cache Valley.
- Beaver Mountain: about 155 miles, three hours 10 minutes, near the top of Logan Canyon.
Nordic Valley
Nordic Valley is the more affordable of the two Ogden Valley mountains. It says it has held its season pass prices since 2023, and children 12 and under ski free on its Power Pass Core, which also covers four other resorts. It is the closest of the four to Utah County, and its low prices make it a natural place for a family to spend a first season.
Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain is the big one of the group, and it is partly private. It still sells public lift tickets, from $84 to $229 a day depending on the date, but it caps how many it sells each day, and some lifts serve private residences and are not part of day access.
For 2026-27 it made two changes that help day visitors: a new $99 afternoon-and-evening ticket, good from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. and $49 for children 7 to 12, and the end of the passholder-only weekends it used to run in February. A $29 night ticket covers 4 to 8:30 p.m. on the Sundown lift.
Cherry Peak
Cherry Peak, in Cherry Canyon east of Richmond, opened in December 2015 and is the newest resort in the state. It is built for families and evenings: three triple chairlifts, a 500-foot magic carpet for learners, a five-lane tubing hill, ice skating and a large night-skiing area. Early in the week it has opened only in the evenings, so check its hours before driving north.
In July 2026 the family that owns Cherry Peak listed it for sale for $22.5 million; the listing said the resort would keep operating while the owners seek a buyer.
Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain opened in 1939 near the top of Logan Canyon, and the Seeholzer family has run it ever since; Ski Utah calls it the longest continuously family-owned and operated ski area in America. It covers 828 acres, mostly east-facing, and it has no snowmaking, so it waits for natural snow and often opens several weeks after the rest of Utah. Its day lodge, Marge's Cabin, opened for 2025-26, named for the family matriarch.
For 2026-27 an adult season pass was $625, passes for children 5 and under were free when bought by November 30, and seniors 70 and over paid $100.
The weekend plan
For Utah County, the practical plan is a weekend: drive north on a Friday, ski Cherry Peak under the lights that evening, stay in Logan and drive the 27 miles up Logan Canyon to Beaver Mountain the next morning. Nordic Valley and Powder Mountain work as long day trips on their own, or as the first half of the same trip on the way north.
Families with fourth, fifth and sixth graders
Ski Utah's Passport program for children in grades four through six works at all four. For 2026-27, Nordic Valley and Cherry Peak have no blackout dates on it, while Powder Mountain and Beaver Mountain black out the major holidays.
Practical notes
- Check Beaver Mountain's opening. Without snowmaking it opens late.
- Check Cherry Peak's hours. It has opened only in the evenings early in the week.
- Use Powder Mountain's afternoon ticket. It is $99 and runs into the night.
- Stay in Logan for Cache Valley. Three hours each way is too far for one day.
Related Guides
- Skiing Near Provo
- Ski Passes for Utah Valley Families
- Snowbasin From Utah Valley
- Eagle Point and Brian Head From Provo
- Brighton From Utah Valley
- Solitude From Utah Valley
- Every Way to Ski From Utah Valley Without Parking
- Sledding and Tubing Across the Wasatch Front
- Ice Skating in Utah Valley and Along the Wasatch Front
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are Northern Utah's small ski hills from Provo?
What is the cheapest ski pass in Northern Utah?
Is Powder Mountain private now?
Where can I night ski in Northern Utah?
Why does Beaver Mountain open later than other resorts?
Should I do these as a day trip from Provo?
When did Cherry Peak open?
Who runs Beaver Mountain?
