Snowbird is an unabashed giant, working hard to crate an image of technological wonder. From the monolithic cement condominiums at the resort base to the gleaming red-and-blue trams that whisk skiers to the tip of 11,000-foot Hidden Peak, Snowbird presents itself as a gleaming, well-planned, modern ski area. The shopping centers, restaurants, tennis courts, swimming pools, convention centre, spa, and bars reflect the vision of funders Dick Bass and Ted Johnson.

Snowbird is a slightly more difficult resort to ski than Alta, although a dual lift ticket allows you access to both resorts. Runs at Snowbird range up to 3.5 miles in length. Only 27 per cent of the runs are rated for beginners, with 38 per cent for intermediate and 35 per cent for experts. Advanced skiers take the tram and the Peruvian and Little Cloud lifts to ski the expert runs. The vertical drop of 3,240 feet is the sharpest at any Utah resort.