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5 Ways to Enjoy Utah in the Winter for Free

Posted on 02. Feb, 2010 by Dirtbag in Places, Utah

With downhill lift tickets getting close to a $100/day, a winter ski trip to Utah is just not feasible for dirtbags these days.  Or is it?  Check out the following ideas for free winter fun in the mountains all around Salt Lake.

1) Skiing Free After 3 at Alta Ski Area

Alta Ski Area opens the gates to Sunnyside lift at 3pm every day of the week.  Sunnyside services only beginner terrain but more experienced skiers can find some intermediate runs through the trees.  Ski Free is great for beginners or for those wanting to perfect those telemark turns.  Can get pretty crowded on the weekend though, but makes a nice (cheap) afternoon if followed by free apps at the Peruvian Bar.

2) Cross-Country Skiing Park City’s Round Valley Loop

Rolling with one-pieces at Deer Valley not your scene, explore the mellow, undulating trails of the Round Valley Loop on snowshoes or cross-country skis.  Grab a map of  Park City trails at White Pine Touring and some rentals if you need them here too (although they are cheaper in Salt Lake City like at REI or Wasatch Touring).  The trails are great and are groomed regularly by the Park City Mountain Trails Foundation.  See there website for grooming reports.

3) Enjoying Live Tunes at the Canyons and Snowbird

Save that lift ticket money for brews après ski and kick back and listen to some live music in the resort village.  The Canyons Resort in Park City features a Spring Concert Series on Saturdays beginning in early March.  Snowbird also has live music on the Tram Deck most weekends throughout the Spring and as far as I know that don’t mind if you pack in your own beverages.

4) Cross-Country Skiing at Snowbasin Ski Resort

Snowbasin is a gorgeous ski area tucked back in the mountains behind Ogden, Utah.  Snowbasin maintains 26 kilometers of groomed skate and classic trails and offers them up to guests free of charge.  Maps of the ski area can be found at the Grizzly Center Rental Shop – plus they rent skis if you need them.  The US Forest Service also maintains a ton of more difficult ski trail that branches off of Snowbasin’s trail system.  Call the Ogden Ranger District for more details about the trails (801) 236-3400.  Any trip up to Snowbasin necessitates a stop by Ogden’s Roosters Pub for stellar microbrews and tasty, cheap pub food.

5) Dining on Free Appetizers at the Peruvian Bar

The Peruvian Bar at Alta Ski Area may be the freaking coolest ski bar in the entire US.  Sure you need to buy your own beer, but the Peruvian staffers bring out free hot appetizers during the après ski hours.  Claw and elbow the other dirtbags out of the way to score some free chicken wings, jalapeno poppers, and other assorted fried goods.  Also, don’t forget to also ask your bartender for some free popcorn and score some free coffee and hot chocolate for the ride down the canyon.  Don’t be a total dirtbag and tip well after all those free goods.

Header Photo Courtesy: Flickr:UncleWeed

Tags: Beer, Dirtbag, Nordic Skiing, Park City, Ski, Utah