Everyone
Year-round ski and summer resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Snowbird is in unincorporated Salt Lake County, 27 miles from downtown Salt Lake City, 6 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon on SR-210. The resort opened in December 1971 and now runs year round. Summer visitors ride the Aerial Tram 2,900 vertical feet to Hidden Peak, hike wildflower trails, and fill 10 weekends with Oktoberfest from August 8 through October 11, 2026. Winter brings lift-served skiing and UDOT traction rules.
About the Snowbird
Snowbird is a year-round ski and summer resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon, in unincorporated Salt Lake County about 27 miles from downtown Salt Lake City. SR-210 is the only road in or out, and the resort sits 6 miles up the canyon at 9385 Snowbird Center Drive. Snowbird describes the trip as roughly a 45 minute drive from downtown. The resort opened in December 1971 with the Aerial Tram and three chairlifts, and hosted its first Oktoberfest the following year.
The Aerial Tram carries foot passengers 2,900 vertical feet to Hidden Peak. Summer scenic tram rates run June 20 through October 11, 2026, at $42 daily between June 20 and July 10, $52 Monday through Thursday after July 11, and $58 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. Children 6 and under ride free but still need a pass. Summer tram hours are 11 am to 8 pm daily, and the rooftop balcony add-on costs $10, or $22 on peak days, for guests 42 inches and taller.
An All-Day Activity Pass runs $51 to $75 depending on the date and covers the tram, the Peruvian Chairlift, the mountain coaster, the ZipWhipper, the ropes course and the climbing wall, from 11 am to 6 pm Friday through Sunday and on Labor Day. Snowbird lists the Alpine Slide as out of service for the 2026 summer season because of construction. Hikers can walk the paved half mile Observation Point Trail, follow the 1 mile Wildflower Trail from Hidden Peak into Mineral Basin, or ride up and hike down. Oktoberfest runs 10 weekends, August 8 through October 11, 2026, on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day from noon to 6 pm, with free admission.
Little Cottonwood Canyon is part of the Salt Lake City protected watershed, and Snowbird states that no pets are allowed in the canyon, in the lodges or in vehicles, except by special permit for canyon residents, rescue dogs and ADA service dogs. As of August 2026, parking is free and first come, first served outside Oktoberfest; on Oktoberfest days general parking costs $15 and valet costs $30. In winter, UDOT’s traction law applies to SR-210 and calls for at least 5/32 inch of tread, with M+S or snow tires on all wheels for AWD and 4WD vehicles and 3PMSF tires or traction devices for two-wheel drive. UDOT can require traction up to 24 hours before a storm and can close the road for avalanche control.
