Solitude

Solitude is found 27 miles from Salt Lake City in Big Cottonwood Canyon. As with all Utah ski areas, the snow is superb - the resort receives 11.4 metres per annum. This means great powder for experts in particular. The brilliantly maintained lower slopes also provide great territory for beginners and intermediates alike. Boarders will love it here as well.

Compared to some other domains, Solitude isn't the largest (1200 acres) but Intrawest have purchased the resort and are ploughing substantial funds in to raise its profile. Recently, much of this has gone into building extensive slope-side accommodation and facilities, to provide the full ski-in, ski-out holiday. Some of this was completed early in 2000. Unlike most other Utah resorts, Solitude also offers decent cross-country trails.

Still a resort in an expansionary phase, Solitude makes for an awesome North American experience, but at present lacks the off-snow infrastructure for the full Alpine atmosphere.