Welcome, fellow winter travelers! We have the scoop on how to get to ski resorts from Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City is the gateway to some of the most breathtaking ski resorts in the world.
As you step off the plane, the dream of carving through fresh blower pow on world-renowned slopes is about to become a reality. But first, you will need to navigate your way from the SLC Airport to your preferred ski resort destination.
This article is your guide to finding the best mode of transportation to fit your needs and style. It provides all options in one easy-to-find place to help you plan your perfect ski trip.
Whether you prefer the convenience of a rental car or Turo, the ease of shared shuttle service, the luxury of a private shuttle, or the affordability of public transportation, Salt Lake City offers a variety of options to suit your travel style.
Grab your ski gear bag and let us explore the best ways to get you from runway to ski run.
How to get to Ski Resorts from Salt Lake City
Choosing a suitable mode of transportation is critical to a successful ski trip.
We have compiled four different options for how to get to ski resorts from Salt Lake City Airport.
Comparison Chart
| Option | One Way Price Range | Advantages | Disadvantages | Ideal For |
| Public Transportation | $5 per person
(Day Pass) |
Budget-friendly, eco-conscious, local experience | Time-consuming, multiple transfers, limited schedules | Budget travelers, patient explorers |
| Shared or Private Shuttle Services | $49-$225 one way | Optional door-to-door service, no driving stress, comfortable | Waiting for other passengers, slightly more expensive | Groups, families, solo travelers |
| Rental Cars & Turo | $60-$150 per day + gas/parking | Freedom to explore, cost-effective for groups, no waiting | Driving in winter, parking and gas costs, rental expenses during peak season | Adventurous travelers, groups |
| Ride Share
(Uber/Lyft) |
$40-$100 one way | Affordable, easy airport pickup, no driving | Not available for airport return from most ski resorts, drivers may cancel your ride | Solo Travelers, Couples, Small Groups |
Public Transportation
When traveling to ski resorts from Salt Lake City, Utah has an excellent public transit system. For only $5, you can get anywhere you need to go from the Salt Lake City Airport.
Getting around Salt Lake City is easy using UTA Trax Trains and Buses.
This article refers to winter travel only. *During the winter season, you can travel to most ski resorts from the Salt Lake City Airport. (Summer routes do not apply.)
Using Google Maps to plan your public transportation route is not ideal and does not always provide the most detailed information. (We know because we’ve done it.)
We have spent hours figuring out how to get around Utah, so you don’t have to. We created a simple, easy-to-follow ski bus guide to get you from the Airport to your favorite ski destinations.
Our detailed guide includes instructions for using public transportation from the SLC Airport to (Solitude/Brighton, Alta/Snowbird, Powder Mountain, Snow Basin, and Park City/Deer Valley.)
Read more here: Public Transportation Ski Bus Guide.
Tips For Using Public Transportation
- Plan extra time.
- Plan for standing outside and walking in winter weather conditions.
- Less is more. To eliminate stress and fatigue, travel as lightly as possible with one gear bag and a backpack.
- Invest in a gear bag with wheels, we love Dakine snowboard gear bags and ski gear bags!
- Weekends and busy snow days: Make sure to get on the desired bus at the route’s starting location. When buses get full in the mornings, they cannot pick up additional passengers waiting at secondary stops on the route.
- When booking lodging in Salt Lake City, it is best to book accommodations near the bus stop that leads to your preferred ski resort destination.
- Pack food, snacks, and water in anticipation of a long journey.
Shuttle Service
Here is the down low on how to get to ski resorts from Salt Lake City using shuttle services.
Shuttles are an effortless way to get to ski resort destinations from SLC Airport. While it is much more expensive than public transportation, it’s extremely easy and convenient.
Shuttle service is an excellent option for groups who can share the cost of transportation.
Multiple companies offer private and shared shuttle services to various Utah ski resorts. Below are a few different options we recommend.
Canyon Transportation offers Private Shuttle services to all Utah ski resorts near Salt Lake City (Solitude/Brighton, Alta/Snowbird, Powder Mountain, Snow Basin, Park City/Deer Valley).
Pricing varies by vehicle style, capacity, and location, ranging from $150 to $395 one-way.
Canyon Transportation’s Shared Shuttle service is only available on the routes between:
- SLC Airport – Snowbird/Alta
- SLC Airport – Park City/Deer Valley
Shared shuttle service starts at $95 one way and offers comfortable, reliable, and timely service.
The fleet of 4X4 vehicles offers safety and security, knowing you will arrive at your destination regardless of road conditions.
We recommend using Canyon Transportation service when traveling in Utah. The drivers are lovely and full of great information and advice about the area.
Alta Shuttle/Canyons Express offers Shared Shuttle Service from SLC Airport to Alta/Snowbird, starting at $49 one way. If you are traveling to Alta/Snowbird, this is the most cost-effective shuttle option.
Private Shuttles are available to Alta, Snowbird, or Park City, starting at $220 each way.
Alta Shuttle/Canyons Express Only Services Alta, Snowbird, and Park City. They offer a full fleet of 4X4 vehicles to safely transport passengers to their destinations.
Canyon Hop offers Private Shuttle service for a maximum of 4 passengers from SLC Airport to Park City, Snowbird, Alta, Solitude, and Brighton for $165 one way.
Canyon Hop offers daily shared shuttle service from Park City to other Ski Resorts (Solitude, Brighton, Snow Basin, Alta, and Snowbird) for $69-$89 roundtrip* per person.
This is an excellent option for those staying in Park City who want to explore other ski resorts.
Rental Car/ Turo
Renting a car or a Turo is a great option for groups, families, or individuals who want to explore the area independently.
Salt Lake City Airport makes renting cars and using Turo easy.
Multiple rental car companies and Turos are located at the Airport to get you from Salt Lake City to ski resorts
However, to guarantee passage through canyon checkpoints in snow and winter conditions, you must rent a 4×4 or AWD vehicle.
Car Rentals are expensive during winter in Salt Lake City for 4×4 or AWD vehicles. We find Turo a convenient and less expensive way to travel by car to ski resorts from Salt Lake City.
When renting a Turo, read the vehicle reviews and choose a reputable renter.
Most Turo renters who operate a business using Turo have better communication and newer vehicles than the one-off car renter.
Renting a Turo should be more convenient than renting from a car rental company; if it is not, choose a different vehicle.
When traveling with ski gear and luggage, ensure the car is delivered to the airport or nearby lots. Many Turo hosts offer free airport delivery or pickup.
It is essential to understand the expectations for returning your vehicle. Most owners require the car to be cleaned at a car wash and returned with a full gas tank. You may be charged fees for not obeying the rules.
Ride Share
Uber or Lyft can be an easy alternative to cars, trains, and shuttles. Hailing an Uber or Lyft from the Airport can be quick and easy, but sometimes it’s not.
Some drivers may cancel your ride upon pick up if they want to avoid taking you all the way to ski resorts.
Some drivers do not have vehicles capable of driving up canyon roads during storms. You may need to order an XL vehicle to tote ski gear or multiple riders.
Ride-sharing is best used to travel to close ski resorts such as Solitude/Brighton or Alta/Snowbird. We recently used Uber to travel to Solitude Ski Resort from Salt Lake City Airport, it cost $55 plus tip.
Using Uber to travel to more distant resorts like Park City might be more expensive.
Ride-sharing is not available in some ski resorts, meaning you may not be able to order an Uber from the ski resort for the return trip.
Unless you get lucky, you may find yourself stranded with no ride, at resorts like Brighton/Solitude or Alta/Snowbird.
If you plan to use ride-share when traveling to ski resorts from Salt Lake City, make sure to secure another form of travel for the return trip.
Public transportation buses can come in handy when getting you back down the canyons, where rideshare is available.
Conclusion
Choosing the best transportation option for traveling to ski resorts from Salt Lake City depends on your personal preferences and needs.
Public transportation offers an affordable and eco-friendly way to reach the slopes, but it may require more flexibility than some travelers desire.
Shuttle services provide a more tailored and comfortable experience, often catering directly to skiers and snowboarders. However, they can be pricier and might require advance booking. Canyon Transportation is our preferred shuttle service option when snowboarding in Utah.
Renting a car or using Turo gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and explore different resorts, though it involves navigating winter road conditions and potentially higher rental and fuel costs.
Ride-sharing services balance convenience and cost, offering a door-to-door solution. However, availability can be inconsistent or not available at certain ski resorts.
Ultimately, each transport mode has pros and cons, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and priorities. Make sure to weigh all options and make an informed decision before choosing a travel mode, to ski resorts from Salt Lake City .
We hope you enjoy winter in Utah as much as we do!
Check out our article “Best Ski Resorts in Utah – Powder Paradise” for a complete review of Utah’s best skiing!
Happy Shredding 😉
