Powder Mountain feels like stepping back in time to what skiing used to be—pure, soulful, and completely unhurried. With over 8,000 acres of accessible terrain and lift tickets that deliberately cap daily skier numbers, “Pow Mow” is a mountain built on the idea that less is more. Less waiting, less noise, fewer people. What you get instead is an endless sea of powder, big-hearted locals, and the kind of quiet that only comes when it’s just you, your tracks, and the Wasatch peaks.
Quick Stats
- Location: Eden, Utah
- Elevation: 6,900 ft base / 9,422 ft summit
- Vertical Drop: 2,522 ft
- Skiable Terrain: 8,464 acres (4,300 lift-served, the rest via cat or hiking)
- Annual Snowfall: ~360 inches
- Number of Runs: 154
- Lifts: 9 total (including chairlifts, surface lifts, and cat skiing access)
- Vibe Check: Uncrowded, authentic, and all about the snow
The Vibe
Powder Mountain is the antithesis of corporate skiing. The mountain’s entire identity revolves around preserving what makes skiing magical—uncut powder, solitude, and a connection to the landscape. Lift lines are rare, faceshots are frequent, and no one’s rushing to post about it. Locals ride with quiet confidence, and the après scene feels more like a family gathering than a photo op. It’s the kind of place where you end the day covered in snow, smiling, and still not sure how this resort hasn’t been overrun by the masses.
Must-Ride Runs
🟢 Greens
- Hidden Lake Express – wide, rolling slopes for beginners with endless open space
- Easy Rider – a mellow trail with a great view of the Ogden Valley
🟦 Blues
- Driftwood – a long, scenic cruiser that stays soft late in the day
- Sunshine Bowl – perfectly pitched blue where intermediates can feel like pros
- Sidewinder – a crowd favorite that winds through trees and rolling terrain
♦ Blacks
- Powder Country – legendary off-piste terrain accessed right from the road, with shuttle pickup below
- Lightning Ridge – snowcat-access zone offering deep powder and steeps
- Raintree – hike-to bowl that rewards effort with untouched turns and jaw-dropping views
Après + Town Stays
Powder Mountain’s local flavor extends beyond the slopes. Nearby Eden, Huntsville, and Ogden offer a mix of cozy eats, breweries, and boutique lodges that make you feel like a local.
- Powder Keg – ramen, wings, and live music inside Timberline Lodge
- Bower Lodge – modern mountain dining and craft cocktails at the base of the resort
- Compass Rose Lodge – boutique hotel in Huntsville with stargazing and rustic luxury
- Snowberry Inn – homey B&B with hearty breakfasts and down-to-earth charm
- Ogden Beer Company – riverside brewery with craft beers and a mountain-town vibe
- Slackwater Pizzeria – artisan pizza and live music in downtown Ogden
- Eats of Eden – local café serving killer breakfast burritos and espresso before first chair
Travel Tips
Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and rent a car for the 1-hour drive north to Eden. Chains are recommended after storms—the access roads can get snowy fast. Powder Mountain limits daily lift ticket sales, so buy online early. For budget travelers, stay in Ogden (about 30 minutes away) where lodging and food are cheaper but the mountain is still easily accessible.
Fun Facts
- Powder Mountain is the largest skiable area in the U.S. by acreage.
- The resort limits lift ticket sales to 1,500 per day, guaranteeing low crowds.
- You can ski terrain directly accessible by snowcat and hiking, no backcountry pass required.
- Locals call it “Pow Mow”, a nickname that perfectly matches its down-to-earth attitude.
- The resort’s founders believed in “preserving the soul of skiing”—and it shows.
Why It Made Our Top 50 List
Powder Mountain is skiing distilled to its purest form. There’s no pretension, no overplanning—just snow, silence, and satisfaction. It’s the kind of place that reminds you what skiing used to be before lift lines and luxury lodges took over. If you love deep snow, friendly people, and hidden gems, this one belongs at the top of your list.