Snowbird Resort Summer Activities

Snowbird Resort, one of Utah's premier ski areas in winter, transforms into a mountain playground each summer with activities that capitalize on its dramatic Little Cottonwood Canyon setting. Located 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, it offers families an accessible alpine experience with a scenic aerial tram, alpine slide, mountain coaster, and summit hiking.

The aerial tram is the centerpiece experience. The enclosed tram car rises 3,000 vertical feet from the base at 7,760 feet to the summit at 11,000 feet in about 10 minutes. The views are extraordinary -- the granite walls of Little Cottonwood Canyon drop away below, the Salt Lake valley spreads to the west, and on clear days, the view extends over 50 miles.

At the summit, an observation deck, short hiking trails, and the Summit Restaurant provide reasons to linger. The temperature at the top is typically 30-40F cooler than the valley floor -- bring layers.

The Alpine Slide is the most popular summer activity. Riders take a chairlift to the top of a mountain track, then ride a wheeled sled down a curving, banked course at their own speed (a lever controls braking). Kids 6 and older can ride alone; younger kids ride between a parent's legs. The combination of speed, curves, and mountain scenery makes it exciting without being scary.

The Mountain Coaster is a step up in thrill -- a gravity-powered coaster on fixed rails that winds through the forest. Riders control speed with a hand brake. It reaches speeds up to 25 mph and is suitable for ages 8+ (or 3+ as a passenger with a riding adult).

Other summer activities include bungee trampolines, a climbing wall, mountain biking trails (bike rentals available), and scenic hiking trails from the summit. The resort offers day passes bundling multiple activities at a discount.

Practical notes: Little Cottonwood Canyon is a protected watershed, so dogs are NOT allowed (strictly enforced). The canyon road is winding and scenic -- allow 30-40 minutes from downtown SLC. Mountain weather can change rapidly -- afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. The resort's summer season typically runs from late June through Labor Day.