This small but mighty mountain is hassle-free, meaning you can enjoy more family time on the slopes.
It’s easy to #FindSolitude at Solitude Mountain Resort. It’s smaller and less chaotic than some of the more well-known local mountains. My family and I loved the quaint feeling of the resort and how its smaller size allowed us to get to know some of the other guests during our stay. Solitude Village is easy to navigate; we never had to walk more than a few steps to get anywhere. Plus, we felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves! No lift lines meant more skiing, which is a huge win for our family.
What to do on the slopes at Solitude Mountain Resort?
Of the 1,200 skiable acres at Solitude Mountain, about half of terrain is expert, making it a great mountain to step up your skiing or riding skills. It has eight chairlifts, servicing 77 runs and 5 terrain areas. Solitude offers both full- and half-day lessons for adults and children (starting at age 3) through its Snowsports Academy, plus daycare for kids from 2-months to 12-years old. Rentals are available at both Solitude Village and Moonbeam Lodge.
Kidtripster Tip: One of the reasons that we loved Solitude was because it offered a mini lesson for my 2-year-old daughter. It was an hour-long, private lesson in the morning; she then went to daycare for the rest of the day. This option isn’t available most places, and we loved the idea of getting her on the slopes. My daughter loved the fact that she got to ride a “big girl” lift, and she kept talking about how much she loved her “nice teachers.”
A weekend at Solitude won’t break the bank. One-day lift ticket cost: Youth (6 and under) Free; Youth (7-13) $53; Adult $83; discounts for multi-day tickets.
KidTripster Tip: Only want to ski the beginner terrain? Then there’s no need to pay for a full lift ticket. Solitude offers a beginner ticket which gets you access to the Link and Moonbeam chairlifts for just $61.
What to do besides skiing at Solitude Mountain Resort?
The nearby Nordic Center is your place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. It has more than 12 miles of trails and also offers rentals, workshops, snowshoeing tours, plus private and group lessons. It even has nordic skiing workshops for kids (ages 7 to 13), which is a great way to introduce the young ones to a new sport! The Nordic Center is accessible via the free resort shuttle three times a day. Be sure to check the website for times.
Challenge your family to billiards or board games at Club Solitude in Solitude Village. This family-friendly area also has a heated pool, hot tubs, and nightly movies in the theater. Access is free to all lodging guests.
Head to the ice skating rink in the heart of Solitude Village. Skates are available for rent at nearby Powderhorn Lodge. Afterwards, cozy up to the fire pit for some s’mores; my daughter had two!
After hitting the slopes, relax those tired muscles at Solitude Mountain Spa. Located inside The Inn at Solitude, the spa offers massages (like anti-fatigue leg treatment), facials, scrubs, and wraps, as well as manicures and pedicures.
KidTripster Tip: Be on the lookout for spa coupons around the mountain. I found a 10%-off coupon while paying for lunch at Moonbeam Lodge.
Where to eat at Solitude Mountain Resort?
Honeycomb Grill in Solitude Village serves up excellent food in a relaxed but upscale atmosphere. Don’t miss the Brussel sprouts appetizer – delicious! I enjoyed the flatbread, while my husband inhaled the bison burger before I could even get a bite. The children’s sizes are gigantic; we took half of our daughter’s meal back to the hotel. Honeycomb Grill gets busy, so make reservations.
For a more low-key evening, hit up the Stone Haus Pizzeria and Creamery in Solitude Village. We got a pizza to go and enjoyed every bite relaxing back in our room. The pizzeria also has salads and sandwiches for lunch and dinner. We stopped here a second time for breakfast; the bagel egg sandwiches are filling, and the breakfast burritos looked yummy. Plus, it has ice cream!
If you worked extra hard on the slopes and have an appetite, try St. Bernard’s inside The Inn at Solitude. This all-you-can-eat buffet of European favorites is sure to fill up even the hungriest of teenagers!
Solitude’s on-mountain dining options are some of the most unique that I’ve experienced. Our favorite was the Roundhouse. It’s situated between the Moonbeam and Eagle Express Lifts and offers Himalayan-inspired food. The curry was so warm; it was the perfect dish for the cold weather. I wanted seconds! At the base of the Moonbeam Lift is Moonbeam Lodge. It offers burgers and chili cheese fries (yum!) or healthier wraps and salads.
For the après ski scene, there’s Argenta Pub at the base of the Moonbeam Lift, Library Bar inside the Inn at Solitude or Thirsty Squirrel across the way.
KidTripster Tip: Due to Utah’s alcohol laws, anyone under 21 is limited to places that they can go. Be sure to check beforehand to see where the little ones are allowed to hang out with you.
Where to stay at Solitude Mountain Resort?
Solitude offers a variety of lodging options in Solitude Village from standard hotel rooms to one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos to multi-level townhouses. All of the lodging is within walking distance of the chairlifts, which is so convenient for families. If you need to take the kids to ski school, hop on the free shuttle to be there within minutes. From the school, you can jump on the Moonbeam Lift to start your ski day.
The Inn at Solitude is located slopeside and offers hotel-style rooms, all equipped with a mini fridge. The staff is top-notch; they helped us with our bags and secured our skis in our ski locker. The Inn has an heated, outdoor pool and hot tub. A major benefit of staying at The Inn at Solitude is access to exclusive daily guest events. My husband took advantage of the First Tracks program, allowing him access to the mountain and its fresh powder a half hour before anyone else. There’s also family game night with ski boot Twister, yoga classes, and s’mores. Rates start at $220/night.
KidTripster Tip: Be sure to check Solitude’s website for current specials, including free nights, spa packages, and dining deals.
Getting to Solitude Mountain Resort
Solitude Mountain Resort is about 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City Airport. Head out on I-80 East to 215 South and then follow signs up Big Cottonwood Canyon Road to Solitude.
Amy Sward is an award-winning journalist and wannabe expert skier, living in Colorado with her husband and 2-year-old mini skier.
This writer received a complimentary stay and some activities for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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