Report from the field: Solitude, Utah

At the end of a great snow year I decided what better way to reconnect with the family after a busy year of work than to head out to snowy Solitude, Utah.

With the conditions still very good for the middle of April and the sun starting to warm things up, all things seem to line up for an end of the year ski trip. We took off out of snowy Colorado on Thursday evening and took the quick hour and half plane ride to Salt Lake City. From there we took Ground Transfers on Resort Express and headed up to the mountains. When we arrived in Solitude (Big Cottonwood Canyon), big snow flakes were greeting us as we exited the car. With a smile, I carried the bags and equipment to my family’s condo, knowing that the forecast was calling for sunny skies and high of 45 degrees for the next couple of days.



When I awoke in the morning on Friday and looked out of the windows at my condo I was greeted by snow banks of 8 feet or more from snow that had fallen throughout the season! Quickly I got the family on their feet and was out the door and up on the mountain to enjoy the snow and more importantly the last days of the ski year for me! While Solitude lacks many high speed lifts they gain in not having any crowds….and after all why would I be in a rush with the sun hitting my face as I rode up the chairlift? Needless to say it was a great day and great weekend of skiing/snowboarding for my family.



While I was out on the mountain the rest of my family enjoyed what Solitude had to offer in their mountain village…“Club Solitude”. Club Solitude is the place to be at if you are off the mountains. They have a large outdoor pool, with two outdoor hot tubs and during the summer months they have a water slide for the pool that is operational as well…great for kids. Also, there was a mini movie theatre, children’s game room for small children (infants), a foosball table and Pool table to unwind your day as you sip your favorite beverage.



When Sunday came and we walked the village sipping our coffee and letting the kids play in the snow and all we could think about was how truly remote you feel from some of the typical ski resorts. Solitude Mountain Resort is very much like its name…Solitude. Here you are able to escape from the hassle and the crowds and get back to what is really important…YOU

Looking for a little Solitude?

Feel like you’re running full tilt boogie just about every day? Don’t have time for a full ski week – but really need some fresh tracks anyway?

We have just the ticket for you … especially if a truly charming alpine village standing right next to some great powder slopes sounds good to you. It’s called Solitude, it’s in Utah … not everybody has heard of this sleeper. Not yet anyway.

The mountain is big, the Village is small – and the lodging is beautiful …




Solitude is family owned. That’s rare nowadays. And this particular family, the DeSeelhorst clan, lead by father Gary and son David demonstrate good taste and outstanding skills where mountain architecture is concerned. European in design and feel, the Village at Solitude is a pleasure to visit. Each if the dozen or so buildings stand in harmony and provide either a very short walk or actual slope side access to the ski terrain.


The ski terrain, while not enormous, is ample, particularly for your long weekend. The vertical is about 2,000 feet and there’s over 1,200 acres of varied terrain, 80% of which is intermediate and up. To put that acreage in perspective, Solitude has more skiable terrain than Aspen and Aspen Highlands put together. That should work for say three days on the hill. Oh, yeah.


Nightlife is a bit limited, this is Solitude after all. That said, there are several great restaurants, including my favorite, the Creekside where they feature rustic Italian pastas, salads and homemade pizzas. For a fancy night out, make a reservation at St. Bernard’s and enjoy outstanding Country French cuisine in a cozy fireside atmosphere. And whatever you do, don’t miss the squirrel – the Thirsty Squirrel that is, everyone’s favorite watering hole. Pool tables, big TV’s and micro brews featured here.


So where is this Solitude – off in some remote corner of the ski world? Nope, not at all. You’re not going to believe this good fortune – Solitude Mountain Resort is 45 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport. You can fly in from the east coast in the morning and be on the slopes that afternoon. Just doesn’t get more convenient than this.


So forget the work-a-day, suit and tie scene. Grab the board(s) and fly out for a little Solitude on the slopes.

P.S. If you can round up four couples – or seven of your closest friends, I know a luxury private home at Solitude that features a big beautiful kitchen and a private hot tub/Jacuzzi. Short walk to the slopes no less. This place is just outstanding. Want to hear more? Call The Ski Organizers at 800 283 2754. When it comes to Solitude, we know what you like.

Notes from the field-Solitude gearing up

Just wanted to share a couple of photos I found on the Solitude website.
Won't be long now until they are measuring snow depths in feet vs inches.

Just to wet your appetite:



From Inches to:



Ready to come to Solitude? click here.