Powder Mountain Utah (US)

Powder Mountain doesn't have any lift accessible double black diamond rated terrain, but some of the runs serviced by Paradise lift has terrain expert skiers will enjoy. This includes both steep runs as well as cliff areas. All the double black diamond rated terrain is accessed by taking the Lightning Ridge snowcat and hiking. The runs down from the Hidden Lake Lodge and Sundown Ridge are nice groomed trails. For un-tracked powder, check out either the snowcat skiing (fee per ride) or purchase an all day Powder Safari pass for a much larger fee. This is as close as many of us will get to heli-skiing. If you want the real deal, Diamond Peaks Helicopter Skiing will make your day!

Beginners and Intermediates:

The easiest trails can be found from the Hidden Lake Lodge and Express Lift. Beginner green runs like East 40 and Burtonwood are nicely groomed trails and great for beginners. The boarder parks are also located in this area. One can extend their runs by taking the Sunrise Poma lift from the top of Hidden Lake Express lift and take the green run "Sunrise", a long and very scenic trail through the forest.

The blue run "Sidewinder", accessed from the Timberline lift, is another favorite run that will take you down a nice groomed trail. Dilly Dally Alley is a little steeper run that is a great place to start the day on.

Advanced Ski Terrain:

For skiers who want a little more challenge, the "Main Line" and "Break Away" (under the Hidden Lake Express lift) are both great trails. They are fairly steep, but not intimidating. The most difficult lift accessible terrain is available from the top of Paradise lift. Ski underneath the Paradise lift and you will find great terrain on both sides. On the right side, there are more chutes and cliff areas for those who like to defy gravity. On the left side, there are more steep trails that offer some great powder. First you will get to the "Eureka", and then "Saddle Chute" is next if you keep skiing along the ridge. "Break Away" near the bottom of the Hidden Lake Express is also a nice steep trail.

Tree Runs:

Powder Mountain has a plethora of generously spaced trees and glades especially in the guided all day cat-skiing areas. One can ski among the aspens pretty much anywhere by taking a side-cut from any of the trails. Follow the Paradise lift until you reach the rocks and ski down the left side has great steep tree skiing. For less aggressive tree skiing, try the glades over by Hidden Lake Express.

Powder Mountain Tips:

There is a reason Powder Mountain got its name... For some of the best powder skiing, try the "Powder Country" region of the resort. This area is not serviced by any of the resort lifts, so make sure the shuttle bus back to the base is running. If you want to step it up a notch, try the snowcat skiing! For a small fee, they will take you to Lightning Ridge or to the top of James Peak where you will have access to 700 acres and 2100 vertical feet of pristine powder. If you didn't think it could get any better, you were wrong again. For an even higher fee, you can be on the guided all day Snowcat Powder Safari with access to 2500 acres of back-country terrain. Contact adventures@powdermountain.com for more information.

Out of Bounds Skiing:

There is no skiing allowed beyond the resort boundary unless it is guided as it is reserved for cat skiing and guided expeditions. This terrain beyond the boundary rope is technically not out of bounds as it is managed by the resort but it is not open to the public and you can be fined.

• Hidden Lake Park: on the blue run called "Hidden Lake" off of Hidden Lake Express lift
• Sundown Park: on the beginner green run "Confidence" off of the Sundown lift

There is also the "Lumberjack Zone" which is designed for expert level riders and can be found at Hidden Lake Park below the halfpipe. Here, park features are made from wooden materials such as logs, power poles and milled lumber.

There is also a boardercross with bank turns located between the Hidden Lake Terrain Park and East 40.

Night skiing is available from the Sundown Lodge base.

Sundown Lodge and the Timberline resort center at the mountain can take care of basic needs for snacks and souvenirs while Ogden has the Newgate Mall for those in need of department stores and more traditional shopping.

Note that Sundown Lodge is the first lodge as one drives up the mountain. Keep driving to get to Timberline Lodge (larger base facilities). The entire ski area is accessible from Sundown but you are limited to the terrain accessible from Sundown lift and the Lightning Ridge snowcat if you want to ski back to this lodge at the end of the day. You can ski out of this area but not ski back. A shuttle is available from Timberline Lodge so you are never stuck away from your car. Powder Mountain has a third lodge and parking lot at the top of Hidden Lake lift called Sky Lodge. This lodge has a wonderful mountain summit view.