Ogden, Utah is a family-friendly destination that is great to visit in the winter.
After a visit, you’ll understand why people love to ski in Utah and look forward to coming back year after year.
Thanks again to Visit Ogden for hosting my visit. This article contains affiliate links.
Enjoy the View From Downtown Ogden, Utah
The views of the mountains from downtown Ogden, Utah are incredible!
That’s just one of the many reasons to want to visit this gem in Utah. You’ll find that Ogden has lots of things to do in the surrounding area too.
Ogden, Utah is Conveniently Located Near 3 Ski Resorts
The city of Ogden is located along the northern end of the Wasatch Mountain range. Ogden is a great base for families who want a convenient location to experience the three ski resorts in the area.
- Snowbasin Ski Resort: 17 miles from Ogden, Utah
(Opens Thanksgiving Day- mid-April) - Nordic Valley Ski Resort: 13 miles from Ogden, Utah
(Opens between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day- mid-April) *conditions permitting - Powder Mountain Ski Resort: 19 miles from Ogden, Utah
(Opens between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day- mid-April) *conditions permitting
When is the Best Time to Visit Ogden, Utah for Skiing?
The best time to visit for powder snow is between February and March.
What are the Temperatures like in Ogden, Utah in the Winter?
Ogden receives around 65 inches of annual snowfall and the ski resorts enjoy around 450 inches annually.
January temperatures average around 20 degrees and winters in general average in the 30’s.
You’ll want to wear layers because it feels warmer if it’s a sunny day. Temperatures can dip about 20 degrees transitioning from day to nighttime.
Ski or Snowboard at Snowbasin Resort
3925 E. Snowbasin Road, Huntsville, UT
Located a 30-minute drive from downtown Ogden.
Snowbasin Resort is also less than an hour from Park City and 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City.
As one of the oldest continuously operated ski resorts in North America, Snowbasin has been a favorite ski resort for generations of families.
Snowbasin has a 3,000-foot vertical drop and 107 runs that appeal to both intermediate and expert skiers. There is something for every level of skier at this 3,000-acre resort.
Snowbasin Resort was the Home of the 2002 Winter Olympics
You can ski at the same mountain that was the site of the alpine skiing races for downhill, combined, and super-G during the 2002 Winter Olympic events.
Improve Your Skills With a Lesson
I highly recommend taking a ski or snowboard lesson if you can. If you are a newer skier or snowboarder, you’ll definitely become more confident after you take a lesson.
The ideal conditions on powder out West are hard to beat!
You do NOT want to have a family member or friend teach you unless they are an instructor by profession.
Trust me!
I’ve done that before and the experience was frustrating for both parties. Someone who has been skiing all of their life typically doesn’t have the patience level for someone who is just starting and progressing very slowly.
Check out more of my practical tips for skiing out West for the first time
During my visit, I took a private ski lesson with Shawnee. The ski lesson options are half or full day.
In the Midwest, I had only taken 1-hour lessons and I found that the extra time was really helpful to build my confidence and my skill level.
I also loved that my instructor knew which ski runs were best for my skill level.
If you have multiple family members taking a lesson, your best value would be a private group lesson. Another perk of the private group lesson is that you can stay together as a family.
Snowbasin Resort has rentals available, including helmets, if you don’t want to bring gear with you.
Complimentary On-Mountain Tours at Snowbasin Resort
Located at the top of Needles Gondola, Snowbasin offers a complimentary 1-hour tour on weekends and Holidays at 11am and 1pm.
This tour is recommended for intermediate to expert riders who want to learn more about the resort on a guided tour.
Non-skiers can ride the Gondola with a Sightseeing Ticket
The sightseeing ticket is perfect for someone who wants to enjoy the view but doesn’t want to ski or snowboard back down the hill. This is also a way for a non-skier to join the rest of their party at Needles Lodge for a meal.
The views from the gondola are incredible and the sightseeing ticket is a very reasonable price.
Slower Speeds in the Family Zone
Snowbasin Resort is very family-friendly and prides itself on safety and service.
One of the first things that I noticed was the marked Family Zones in specific sections on the way down the intermediate runs.
The Family Zones are areas of the run with slower speeds to be mindful of younger and newer skiers and snowboarders.
How to Find Discount Lift Tickets for Snowbasin Resort
You can save money on Snowbasin ticket prices by purchasing your ticket online in advance.
You’ll save at least $10 off when you purchase at least 1-6 days in advance. For an even greater saving buy your Snowbasin lift tickets 7+ days in advance online.
Multi-day lift tickets and half-day tickets are another way that you can save at Snowbasin Resort.
The price tiers are broken down by age
- Teen & Adult (13-64)
- Youth (7-12)
- Senior (65-74)
There is also a great deal on half-day lift tickets for the Super Senior discount for ages 75+.
If you are considering visiting more than one resort, you might want to consider the Epic Pass.
Snowbasin does offer a Military discount for season passes.
If you have a 5th or 6th grader visiting Utah make sure that you take advantage of the 5th and 6th Grade Ski Passport Plus.
How much is parking at Snowbasin Resort?
Snowbasin offers complimentary parking in 5 locations:
- Earl’s Lot
- Maples Lot
- Canyon Rim Lot
- Wildcat Lot
- Green Pond Lot
In Lot A of Earl’s Lot, you can get priority parking if you have 3 or more people in your car on a first come first serve basis.
Dining Options at Snowbasin Resort
You’ll find several great dining options during your visit to Snowbasin. Our group ate at Earl’s Lodge for lunch. We found plenty of options from healthy to hearty.
You must stay hydrated and have protein when you are burning so many calories.
I opted for the delicious chili. It really hit the spot after several hours of skiing.
Check Out the Chandeliers and Fancy Bathrooms at Snowbasin Resort
One other thing worth mentioning about Snowbasin is their bathroom.
I honestly thought that it seemed a little odd that several people commented to me about how nice the bathrooms were at Snowbasin Resort.
Of course, I had to check them out to see what all of the fuss was about. They were definitely WAY fancier than a typical ski resort bathroom!
The different colored chandeliers in various rooms at the lodge are also worth checking out.
Accommodations at Snowbasin Resort
Unfortunately, there isn’t lodging available onsite at Snowbasin Resort. You can find deals on lodging near Snowbasin Resort here.
Hotels and Airbnbs Near Odgen, Utah
Visit Compass Rose HALO (Huntsville Astronomic and Lunar Observatory)
198 S 7400 E, Huntsville, UT
Did you know that the state of Utah leads the world with nine International Dark Sky Parks?!!!
If you have an appreciation for stargazing you will definitely want to reserve a tour of Compass Rose HALO.
Located in the Ogden Valley, Compass Rose HALO is 1 of 2 hotel observatories in the United States.
The Starwalk night tours are open to the public and hotel guests receive half-priced tours.
All of the tours are weather-dependent. Due to their popularity, it’s recommended that you make a reservation in advance. (385-279-4460)
Inside the Observatory, you’ll find a 16-inch aperture Ritchey-Chretien style telescope known for offering an exceptionally flat view of objects.
This is a wonderful tour to experience another perspective of the celestial skies.
Caffeine Stop at First Lift Coffee
198 S 7400 E, Huntsville, UT
If you need a caffeine boost before a day on the slopes, you’ll want to swing by First Lift Coffee.
The design details inside are definitely on point for the theme. There is even a vintage chair lift repurposed as a seating area.
The walls are also filled with ski-themed memorabilia from the owners.
First Lift Coffee serves up specialty coffee from Australian specialty coffee roaster Campos Coffee. In addition to coffee, you’ll find baked items and simple breakfast staples.
If you are staying at the Compass Rose Lodge, you can check into your room here, too.
198 S 7400 E, Huntsville, UT
A boutique hotel with 15 king and queen bedrooms, Compass Rose Lodge combines modern conveniences with vintage touches beautifully.
Save on your booking your stay at Compass Rose Lodge here
Compass Rose Lodge was also a filming location for The Hallmark movie “Check Inn To Christmas.”
We toured several of the rooms on the property. Families will love this room with the quad bunk beds that still have places to plug in everyone’s devices.
Where to Eat in Ogden, Utah
There are over 100 independent restaurants around Ogden which means that you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to dining.
When in doubt, ask a local. A local told me that City Club is a great place to find cheap drinks in case you are looking for one.
Dinner at Roosters Brewing Co.
253 25th St, Ogden, UT 84401
During our visit, our group enjoyed dinner at Roosters Brewing Co. We started with the Beehive Cheese Curds for an appetizer.
If you are looking for a unique cocktail try one of the loaded root beers. Of course, you will find plenty of local beers on tap as well.
Our table also shared a big bowl of “Naughty Fries” served with Pepper Jack sauce, Gorgonzola sauce, and Louisiana hot sauce.
One thing that locals take very seriously is fry sauce.
What is fry sauce?
Fry sauce is a combination of ketchup and mayonnaise that is typically used for dipping…you guessed it, fries! The sauce can also sometimes be spread on sandwiches or burgers.
It’s a very popular condiment in Utah.
I tried a burger with, of course, fry sauce. When in Utah.
Wander Christmas Village in Ogden, Utah
If you visit during the holiday season you will definitely want to check out Ogden’s Christmas Village.
From the Saturday after Thanksgiving – January 1 you can explore the amazing lights at Ogden Municipal Gardens.
Ogden’s holiday season begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The first kickoff event is the Electric Light Parade and opening ceremony that fills Washington Blvd from 22nd Street to 26th Street.
Christmas Village seriously looks like something out of a Hallmark movie!
The best part is that it’s a FREE holiday attraction.
The unique setting of cottages is modeled after Santa’s village at the North Pole.
Christmas Movies filmed in Ogden, Utah
- My Christmas Prince” (2017) Filmed in Ogden.
- “Jingle Belle” (2018) Filmed in Brigham City and Ogden.
- “Check Inn to Christmas” (2019) Filmed in Ogden.
- “Staging Christmas” (2019) Filmed in Ogden.
Check out the Vintage Neon Signs
There are several neon signs within a short walking distance of each other. I have a whole new appreciation for the art of neon after touring the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.
Be on the lookout for the neon signs when you stroll downtown, Odgen at night.
Hotels in Ogden, Utah
2401 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT
During our visit, we stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites. The hotel is conveniently located downtown within walking distance of restaurants and shops.
Save on Booking Your Hotel Here
Airports Close to Ogden, Utah
There are two airports relatively close to choose from near Ogden. The Ogden-Hinckley Airport is located in the southwest portion of Ogden City.
Salt Lake International Airport is located about 35 miles South of Ogden.
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This part of Utah has some beautiful mountain views. I would definitely consider this area for snowboarding next year. Living in Miami where it never goes below 65 degrees. This would be like a shock to the system lol! However I would love to just experience the snow and breath in that cold crisp air. Must have been a great experience being there.