Utah's ski season remains on track to open this week after first big snowfall

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's resort season remains on track to launch this week, following a robust weekend snowfall.

Brian Head Resort in Iron County received 9 inches of snow from the latest storm, keeping it on track to open on Friday, although it's still weather permitting, resort officials said on Monday.

Higher totals were reported in the Cottonwood Canyons and Uinta Mountains, keeping many other resorts on track to open later this month. Solitude Mountain Resort posted online Monday that it still plans to open on Nov. 20, conditions permitting, after also receiving 9 inches of snow.

"This is not a drill. Mark your calendars, wax your gear and clear your schedule," the resort wrote on social media. "We'll see you on the chairlift in 18 days."

Upwards of 19 inches fell at Lakefork Basin in the Uinta Mountains, while other parts also recorded more than a foot of new snow.

Meanwhile, Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon reported receiving at least 17 inches from the latest storm, and Alta Ski Area, also in Little Cottonwood Canyon, reported receiving 15 inches.

The cooler air also helped resorts pad their totals through snowmaking. Alta alerted visitors on Sunday that its uphill travel area was closed to allow for snowmaking and other on-mountain operations to begin.

Alta is on track to open on Nov. 20; Snowbird plans to open during Thanksgiving weekend.

Park City Mountain and Snowbasin resorts are also on track to open this month, per Ski Utah. The organization that promotes Utah's resorts notes that others are projected to open in December, especially if snow continues to fall in the mountains.

All eyes are on what the El Niño oceanic pattern does this winter. Ski Utah launched a "Vote Super El Niño 2026-2027" campaign last month, hoping that it produces a strong snowfall, after last year's dismal snow collection led to a 26% drop in skier visits.

"Whatever divides us the rest of the year, we can all agree on hoping for a big winter," said Nathan Rafferty, the president and CEO of Ski Utah.