Utah Snowboard Camping Trip

[WesAlan]

Next month I will be making my way to Jackson Hole with a week to burn in Utah on the way north from Orange County, CA and will have some time to camp and snowboard. (Ikon Pass) I am looking for any advice on camp spots dispersed or RV park/campgrounds anyone would recommend near Brighton/Solitude/Snowbird.

I understand when it is dumping some of the dispersed spots disappear really quickly and I will be on the road for around 20 days so I don't mind paying for somewhere with showers or even a jacuzzi.

The rig is is a Tundra and FWC Hawk.

Thanks for any info you might have!

Wes

 

[Utah]

Wes,

Be aware that there is no overnight parking or camping allowed near Brighton/Solitude (in Big Cottonwood Canyon) or near Snowbird (in Little Cottonwood Canyon) in the winter. This is strictly enforced throughout the winter due to avalanche risk and mitigation activities and in order to allow snow removal from the (limited) parking areas in the early morning hours at the resorts. There are some campgrounds in the canyons, but they are not accessible in the winter. There are no dispersed camping possibilities within these canyons.

There are a few KOA/RV resort type places in the valley (one near the airport) but they are probably full up with longer term campers.

In order to have convenient access to these ski resorts in the winter, you are pretty much limited to staying at a hotel in the Salt Lake valley somewhere near the canyons. One possibility is Extended Stay America at 1220 E 2100 S - convient to shopping and restaurant options but not super close to the ski resorts. There are many other hotel options, including options closer to the ski resorts.

Also, be aware that the ski resorts have limited parking. On a powder day or weekend, there are many people driving into the canyons competing for those parking spaces. Some resorts operate with advance reservation required or strictly paid parking.

The good news is that we are having a fantastic winter for skiing this year in the canyons. Alta has received around 460 inches of snow so far.

 

[Utah]

 

[Mthomas]

There are a fair number of reasonable airbnb type things near the mouth of cottonwood canyon. I even stumbled across one a bit ago that was essentially a concrete pad next to someone’s house with utilities available.

 

[WesAlan]

Thank you for the responses! That all makes sense and is very fair. I get the parking situation, we are usually in the Mill lot at Mammoth before sunrise hanging and making coffee.

Plans have changed though and now we are going to Bachelor! From what I’ve read there seems to be quite a few decent camping options!