I was very close to getting a season pass at Snowbird Mountain Resort. I had been toying with the idea ever since our Daily Herald photographer, Spenser Heaps, told me the joys of skiing at Snowbird.

“There’s always fresh powder. … And the resort is open the longest.” And he speaks the truth! In the 2010-2011 ski season, Snowbird didn’t close until July 4. Everyone’s heard of a spring ski season, but when do you hear of a summer ski season?

And for snow, Snowbird has no competition in the amount of snow they get. On Thursday afternoon, Snowbird had already accumulated six inches of fresh powder in 12 hours.

In the end, I went with Park City Mountain Resort for the season pass, but I’m thinking next year Snowbird is on my horizon.

In my opinion, Snowbird is a great all-around resort. Not only is Snowbird popular with college-aged students, it’s a family-friendly resort. In Snowbird’s Mountain School, they offer lessons for all ages, including little “Chickadees,” or 3-year-old children. There are lots of opportunities to connect with other skiers, specifically women. Snowbird sponsors Women’s Ski Camps, a Women’s Monday Getaway and a SheRide camp for snowboarders, all attuned to female skiers and snowboarders. And, once the ski day is over, Snowbird generally has live music and an Apres-ski at most of the restaurants.

Snowbird also provides plenty of opportunities to explore the mountain. The Scenic Aerial Tram takes you up to the 11,000-foot Hidden Peak. Though guests are able to purchase lift tickets that include tram rides, foot passengers are also welcome to join in the beautiful views from the peak.

Snowbird also offers Snowcat Skiing for Nature tours, which is for advanced and expert skiers and boarders, but offers unparalleled access to the Mary Ellen, lower Mineral Basin and Miller Hill areas of Snowbird.

For those skiers and riders who don’t have enough experience to participate in a Snowcat tour, Snowbird offers a Ski with a Ranger tour, led through the resort on easy to intermediate runs. Rangers provide information concerning Little Cottonwood Canyon’s geology, history and more.

Whenever I talk to fellow skiers, I’m always impressed with the loyalty that Snowbird aficionados have to the resort. After talking with a few, I am convinced that Snowbird is one of the best resorts Utah has to offer.

One such aficionado, Snowbird veteran Erik Farnsworth, told me a few of the best (and most secret) views of Utah Valley can be caught at Snowbird resort.

“Make your way up Gadzoom and ski over to Little Cloud. From Little Cloud ski down to Mineral Basin, the back side of the resort. There should be a cat track called Path to Paradise,” he said. “A secret is if you stay right as far as you can past the runs, there’s a lookout point where you can see Mt. Timpanogos incredibly well.”

For longtime Provo residents, like myself and Farnsworth, Timp is a favorite scene. “It’s definitely worth it if you can find it, but it’s really far past everything and you might need to side-step up with your skis in some parts,” he said.

Farnsworth also mentioned a family-friendly view of the valley. “Take the Mineral Basin Express up to the top of the resort. This is right next to where the tram gets off. On a clear day it is one of the best views of any resort in Utah.”

In addition to the great views Snowbird offers, resort guests can also ski over to where Alta and Snowbird meet for another great view, according to Farnsworth. “While you’re on the backside of the mountain it’s worth taking the Baldy Express up once or twice. [This] takes you over to where Snowbird meets Alta, and from there you can see a different perspective of the resort.”

Snowbird Resort has a lot to offer, from perfect powder days to insanely steep expert runs, and great family friendly tracks to nightlife like no other resort. Indeed, similar to the great snow we Utahns are spoiled with, Snowbird is bursting with winter fun.

Snowbird Stats:

• Elevation: Base: 7,760 ft. Summit: 11,000 ft. Vertical drop: 3,240 ft.
• Skiable areas: 2,500 acres
• 85 trails: 27 percent Easier, 38 percent More Difficult, 35 percent Most Difficult.
• 1 Halfpipe
• 1 Terrain Park
• Longest run: Chip’s Run, 2.5 miles
• 13 lifts
• Total uphill capacity: 17,400 guests per hour
• Average snowfall: 500 inches
• Average monthly temperature for January: 15 degrees

SNOWBIRD RESORT

WHERE: 9600 E. Little Cottonwood Canyon.

DIRECTIONS: Take I-15 north to Exit 295 (9000 South). Turn right onto 9000 South. This street becomes 9400 South, which takes you to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Go right on UT-210. Six miles to Snowbird.

HOURS: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Night skiing from 5-8:30 p.m.

DEALS: Snowbird has deals available for the upcoming holidays, as well as discount tickets available at Salt Lake City International Airport.

PRICES: Daily Adult Snowbird Ticket $92/day, Daily Youth (7-12) Snowbird Ticket $45/day, Daily Senior (65+) Snowbird Ticket $75/day, Adult 2-Day Consecutive Ticket $87/day

INFO: The Main Ticket Office (Snowbird Center): (801) 933-2200 Open daily: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. www.snowbird.com