Our family of 5 would like to fly into SLC for a few days of skiing in January 2003. Can you suggest the best inexpensive options?
Is rental car the only way to go? Thanks.

Tim,

The least expensive option is to stay in the SL Valley and travel to the resorts. Brighton and Solitude have the cheapest lift tickets - both offer great skiing. There are usually discount coupons available for these resorts. (Even at the ski rental shops in the airport - near the baggage carousel.)

It is possible to use public transportation to get to the resorts. In fact they are encouraging people to use mass transit to get up the canyon to help the environment. You would just have to carefully choose your hotel to make sure you are close to Trax or a bus stop.

Hi Tim: Last year my husband and I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Sandy which is at the bottom of Cottonwood Canyon (Brighton, Solitude, Alta, Snowbird). It was a great location with breakfast and a jacuzzi and heated indoor pool & laundry to wash/dry ski clothes! There are also many restaurants within walking distance. The best is there is a ski bus that picks you up and drops you off at the hotel. Last year we rented a car which was very expensive. But, this year we are going to take the UTA ski bus instead. Also, Canyon Sports sells discount lift tickets ... here's the web link with ticket prices.. Have fun! http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html#coupon Have fun!!

Tim,
You might also check the resort web sites for "low season" package deals.

If you are interested in the Park City area, the least expensive hotels are Hampton Inn & Holiday Inn Express in Kimball Junction, a short distance from Park City old town. In town The Yarrow often has good January rates & they have some rooms for families with kitchens. Pretty good location & on the free PC shuttle bus route. For a family of 5, a condo might be a better deal. Check out the Park City website for tons of info.

Note: Snowbird and Alta are located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, southernmost. Brighton & Solitude are in Big Cottonwood Canyon. UTA buses from hotels can be OK, but can be very crowded on the weekends & a hassle with skis & equip. Upside is no parking problems & hike though the parking lots in ski boots.

Some years ago we stayed at Goldminer's Daughter at Alta. Very basic but acceptable accomodations, great service and basic food. Considering the location (ski in/ski out) and beatiful scenery, it was worth it. Many guests I spoke during the stay with told me they returned year after year. A great place for just plain skiing and no fancy stuff. No car needed if all you want to do is ski till you drop.

do you recommend Alta as agood ski spot for intermediate skiers?
thanks
sue

SUE
YES!!! Alta is a great inter. ski area. I believe it is the oldest area in the U.S. Prices are reasonable and runs are super.
Happy trails.

Ditto on the comment above about reasonable prices. Alta can't be beat for the lift ticket price. I was a low grade intermediate skier when we made the trip there and enjoyed it very much. Snowbird was far too intimidating for me, but a satisfying challenge for the expert skier I was traveling with.