Originally published in Ski Utah magazine (2016–17 edition), the Utah ski industry association’s annual visitor guide. By Jeremy Pugh, photographs by Jay Dash.
There are moments in the ski day that leave us speechless. You crest a ridgeline and gaze out across the world below and there are no words. We invariably attempt to cram these moments into the too-small lens of a camera or phone to share. How can you not try, standing high above everything else, in the icy quiet of a snowy mountain landscape far from your home? Utah’s resorts each have a special spot, that place above that will bring you to a standstill. We asked mountain photographer Jay Dash to share a few of his favorites and tell us how to get to the rest. Here’s your guide to 12 of the Beehive State’s most scenic mountain views. And the good news is that you too, can reach these vistas—all are accessible by blue square/intermediate runs.
“I have stood in these places and watched the light dance across the world. It is a privilege to be a skier and a photographer here in Utah.” —Jay Dash, photographer
Alta
The vista: Looking across Snowbird’s Mineral Basin to Mount Timpanogos.
How to get there: Take the Sugarloaf lift and ski down the East Baldy Traverse to your right. The view will appear on your left before you reach the turn to the Snowbird gates.
Snowbird
The vista: The Twins, Gad Valley and a look into the Salt Lake Valley from on high.
How to get there: Take the tram, ski towards the top of Mineral Basin lift and the fork to Gad Valley (Road to Provo) and Mineral Basin (Path to Paradise) traverses.
Brighton
The vista: The Heber Valley from Snake Creek Pass.
How to get there: Ski left off of the Snake Creek Express lift down to the saddle of Snake Creek Pass and look to your right. Or ski right off of the Great Western lift for another angle on the view.
Snowbasin
The vista: To the west is Ogden City and The Great Salt Lake; to the east is the scenic Ogden Valley.
How to get there: Strawberry gondola down Elk Ridge.
Sundance
The vista: The 360-degrees of splendor outside of Bearclaw Cabin. You can see down into Provo and Utah Lake and beyond all the way into the Heber Valley.
How to get there: You’ll find the view at the top of Arrowhead Lift.
Park City
The vista: Down on Park City and Kimball Junction.
How to get there: From Bonanza lift, take Home Run and turn at the first left towards Assessment and Powder Keg. The view is off to your right.
Deer Valley
The vista: Jordanelle Reservoir and the Heber Valley.
How to get there: Take Sultan Express to the top of Stein’s Way.
Solitude
The vista: The Honeycomb Canyon area below Fantasy Ridge.
How to get there: Take the Summit Express.
Powder Mountain
The vista: The 360-degree view from atop Hidden Lake Lodge, encompassing the Ogden Valley, Cache Valley and all the way to Idaho and into Wyoming.
How to get there: Drive to the upper parking lot.
Brian Head
The vista: The mix of red rock and snowy mountains of Cedar Breaks National Monument.
How to get there: Access this nowhere-else-like-it view from atop the Giant Steps Lift.