Snow Way! Spring Break in Utah Was Actually Epic
Look, I’m all for a beach vacation, but sand in every crevice and overpriced piña coladas don’t exactly scream rest and relaxation anymore. So this year, we ditched the sunscreen and headed straight for the snow in Utah. Why? Because Utah claims to have “the greatest snow on Earth,” and if you know me, I’m always ready to fact-check a bold claim.
Spoiler alert: they weren’t lying.
Day 1: Goodbye, Smog. Hello, Snow.
We landed in Salt Lake City on Easter Sunday and set up camp at the very chic Hotel Monaco—think cozy vibes, but make it classy. After a night of beauty sleep, we noshed at Bambara, where breakfast was a buttery carb-filled dream. With our bellies full, we hit up Christy Sports to grab our ski gear.
Pro tip: pre-reserve your equipment because standing in line for rentals is for amateurs.
Our first adventure wasn’t even on the slopes—it was at Woodward Park City, aka a wonderland for adrenaline junkies. The boys spent hours launching themselves off jumps and crashing (gracefully?) onto rails in the 66,000-square-foot indoor facility that offers areana for skateboarding, parkour, and BMX, MTB, and scooter riding. Outdoors there are 60 acres of mountain terrain for snowboarding and skiing, plus the longest tubing lanes in Utah.
Afterward, we carbo-loaded again at Slapfish Coastal Seafood Kitchen in Park City because you can never have too much food, apparently.
Beaver Mountain: Small, but Mighty
Beaver Mountain, tucked away near Logan, is the underdog of Utah skiing, and I’m here for it. This family-owned resort doesn’t have the glitz of the big names, but what it lacks in bougie vibes, it makes up for with charm and a no-BS skiing experience.
Marge, the queen of the ticket window, welcomed us like we were long-lost relatives. She’s got a lift named after her—Marge’s Triple—so yeah, she’s a big deal. The lodge was basically your grandma’s kitchen, serving up hot dogs and chicken nuggets instead of avocado toast, and somehow it totally worked.
The skiing? Absolutely fabulous. Whether you’re a newbie, an intermediate shredder, or a show-off hitting advanced runs like Skid Row, Beaver has you covered. Also, night skiing under the stars? Romantic in theory, but mostly just awesome.
Brighton: The Cool Kid Everyone Likes
Brighton is where families, powder hounds, and the “we’re too cool for you” snowboarders all happily coexist. Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, this place is a playground of light, fluffy snow—so good it has its own reputation.
With 66 trails and five terrain parks, Brighton is proof that size does matter. The boys lived in the terrain parks, hitting jumps and pretending they were Olympic athletes, while I kept it chill on the blues and greens. Backbone and Perris Bowl? Highly recommend if you want to feel like you’re crushing it without actually dying.
Also, shoutout to spring skiing. We ditched our jackets by noon because it was basically a sunny day in Malibu—minus the ocean, of course.
Solitude: More Zen Than a Yoga Retreat
Solitude really leans into its name. This place was so peaceful it made me feel guilty for yelling “Wheeee!” as I skied down the hill. Located just a hop away from Brighton, Solitude serves up 82 trails, 1,200 acres of terrain, and barely any lift lines.
For those of us who love skiing without the pressure of impressing the crowd (hi, it’s me), Solitude is perfect. The boys ventured into the terrain parks, while I explored the mellow runs without breaking a sweat—or my ego.
Oh, and if you’re a foodie, listen up: The Yurt is the place to be. Imagine snowshoeing under the stars to a candlelit yurt for dinner. I mean, I didn’t actually do it because I’m more “casual diner” than “adventurous eater,” but I heard it’s amazing. Instead, we hit up Porcupine Bar and Grille and shamelessly devoured dessert. No regrets.
Last Call: Thrift Stores and Trash Bags
Utah skiing is great and all, but do you know what really got the boys excited? Thrifting. We hit up spots like Plato’s Closet, Deseret Industries and iconoCLAD, and they scored vintage Levi’s and Vans for next to nothing. I’m not saying I over-shopped, but let’s just say trash bags became an essential part of our packing strategy.
With our suitcases stuffed and our hearts full, we returned our gear to Christy Sports and said goodbye to Utah. Sure, I missed the beach a little, but trading flip-flops for snow boots was totally worth it.
Final Thoughts: Call Me a Snow Bunny
Utah wasn’t on my radar for spring break until now, but wow, it delivered. Powdery slopes, chill vibes, and a week without Los Angeles traffic? Sign me up again.
Until next time, Wasatch Mountains.