Summary:  The legendary Utah powder benefits all of the Utah ski resorts with great snow quality.  While each has its own appeal and is worth a try, Solitude was one of two that ultimately made our Top 20 list for families.

Solitude, although being a little light on total terrain compared to its neighbors, offers a great family experience for skiers of all levels.  When you consider that a whopping 70% of its terrain is either beginner or intermediate, it offers nearly 900 acres of this terrain which is usually more than enough for a skiing family.  The lift system is more than adequate, with the Eagle Express shuttling skiers 1,500 feet in just 6 minutes.

As with all of the Salt Lake City ski resorts, proximity to the airport is a huge selling point.  You will be to Solitude within an hour of leaving the airport (mostly on reliable highways).  Compare than with some of the Colorado resorts which require a 2 or 3 hour drive from Denver through mountain passes, and the real advantage of skiing Utah begins to emerge.

A family-oriented staff and high quality ski school makes this resort one of our favorites in Utah and a legitimate Top 20 family resort.

Lodging Choices:  Lodging at Solitude is concentration on the condo market, which usually is ideal for families.  A couple resort-owned lodges and hotels can also get you very close to the lifts with nearly every amenity you would need.  Slopeside lodging is abundant, and the base village offers many more choices.  Prices are not cheap but also not at the level of resorts like Deer Valley.

Terrain / Highest Elevation / Vertical Drop:  1,200 acres / 10,000 feet / 2,050 feet

Activities for Non-Skiers:  Solitude offers a great environment for relaxation.  Spa-goers will have plenty of options to choose from, and the base village offers a variety of shops and restaurants, although not on the scale of authentic mountain towns.  With Salt Lake City being so close, and areas like Park City just a skip away, there are several ways to spend time if you prefer to stay off the slopes.

Ski School:  The ski school at Solitude offers ski instruction for ages 5-12, and snowboard lessons for 7 and up.  The ski school is highly regarding and likes to point out that its professional staff is able to individualize lessons better than other schools.  Costs are $65 for half day, and $105 - $125 for a full day.  Personal reviews we’ve heard confirm the high quality of instruction at Solitude.

Day Care:  Children 4 and younger can enjoy the child care at Solitude, which offers both daily and hourly rates.  The daily rate is $85, and the hourly rate is $15.  Reservations are needed 24 hours in advance.

Getting there:  The great selling point of Solitude and other Utah resorts is the distance to the airport.  From the Salt Lake City airport, you will be a 40 minute drive from Solitude, a rarity given how many major airlines fly into SLC and how many cities are served by them (too many to mention individually).

Insider Tip:  For the experts in the group who may look for some more rugged terrain, a day-trip to Alta (ski-only) can fill the need for quad-burning runs.