Ski-In, Ski-Out Luxury: 5 Reasons We Loved Our Stay at Snowpine Lodge

When my fiancé and I moved to Salt Lake City in the fall of 2024, we quickly realized just how central winter adventures are to life here.

Yet despite this being our second winter in Utah, we still hadn’t made it to the slopes. As true first-timers, we finally booked a staycation for 1 night at the Snowpine Lodge.

This boutique mountain resort offers true ski-in, ski-out access to the Alta Ski Area, which allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the experience. Here’s a closer look at our stay and an overall review of the property.

Booking Snowpine Lodge

Room rates at Snowpine Lodge during the peak winter season can vary, but we found entry-level pricing starting around $400 per night, which was far less than we expected. Rates can climb on some weekend dates.

Snowpine Lodge is also part of The Hotel Collection by American Express, meaning eligible cardmembers who book a stay of 2 nights or more through AmexTravel.com can unlock added value, including early check-in, late checkout, a room upgrade when available, and a $100 property credit.

Since we just had a 1-night booking, we used my Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card, which earns 2x points on eligible travel purchases.

Hot Tip:

The Snowpine Lodge is also part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, so nights can be booked with 95,000 Hilton Honors points or with Hilton Honors free night certificates earned on Hilton Honors cards.

1. It’s a Short Drive From SLC

Utah is known for some of the best snow in the country, making winter the busiest season. If you’re flying into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), you’ll find no shortage of ski resorts within an easy 45-minute drive.

Alta falls well within that range, nestled in the Cottonwood Canyons alongside Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude, with Park City and Deer Valley also within reach from the airport. Since we wanted a skier-only experience, we narrowed our choices to Deer Valley and Alta, ultimately choosing Alta for its proximity to our house — just a 25-minute drive away.

While Alta Ski Area is well known for its challenging terrain favored by expert skiers, it was also frequently recommended to us beginners for its Alf Engen Ski School and wide, forgiving learning areas.

As a hotel guest, Snowpine Lodge’s location couldn’t be more convenient for accessing Alta Ski Resort, offering true ski-in, ski-out access right at the base of the mountain.

As complete beginners, we opted to use the hotel’s complimentary shuttle, which provided a quick 1-minute ride to the Alf Engen Ski School. It was incredibly convenient while juggling rental gear, though more confident skiers can easily ski directly from the hotel to Alta in no time.

Hot Tip:

Ski passes can be a great way to save money on lift tickets. The full Ikon Pass gets you access to Alta, Deer Valley, Snowbird, and more resorts worldwide.

2. It’s an Intimate Mountain Lodge With Extensive Amenities

With just 54 guest rooms, Snowpine Lodge offered exactly the vibe we were looking for: a cozy, ski-house atmosphere. Guests ranged from families with young children to couples enjoying a getaway, and the property offers a variety of amenities to suit all types of travelers.

The moment we pulled up, the valet team took care of our belongings and seamlessly guided us through check-in, taking time to explain the property layout and give us a complimentary s’mores kit.

We arrived a few hours before the 4 p.m. check-in time and used the extra time to grab lunch and explore the property. What immediately stood out were the expansive living rooms on each floor, which were inviting spaces where guests could gather, relax, and play games together.

Wandering the halls, it was easy to forget we were even in a hotel. The entire property felt more like someone’s private ski lodge than a traditional resort. For a smaller, boutique-style property, I was delighted by just how many full-scale amenities Snowpine Lodge offers — adding to its true destination feel.

Wellness is clearly a major focus, with a full-service spa (with a grotto), yoga room, and fitness center on the second floor. Conveniently, this was where our room was located.

There was an outdoor heated pool and hot tubs (a must for easing sore joints after a day on the mountain), along with a massive game room complete with a movie theater and a ball pit that was a hit with both kids and adults. Guests can also take advantage of the complimentary laundry room, which is convenient for those with longer stays.

Finally, on the bottom floor was a complimentary ski valet with no shortage of lockers and a ski shop for all your gear needs.

3. Spacious Yet Cozy Guest Room

The cozy ski-house theme extended into the guest room, and we immediately noticed there was ample space for our equipment, jackets, and belongings. We learned there’s so much you need to bring for a “simple” 1-night ski trip!

The closet was spacious, and there were also hooks to hang up our stuff to dry overnight, which we greatly appreciated. Complimentary in-room amenities included a larger-than-average minifridge, a humidifier, a Nespresso machine, and additional built-in storage tucked into the bar area.

Even though we weren’t staying in a suite, the King guest room felt impressively spacious, with a sofa that doubled as a sleeper and separated the living area from the sleeping space.

The bathroom was just as generous in size, complete with double vanities, a soaking tub, a separate shower, and a separate water closet.

As expected for a luxury stay, we loved the plush (and plentiful) towels and robes, the toiletry kit, and high-quality Salt & Stone bath products.

4. There Are High-Quality Dining Restaurants With Resort Pricing

The property offers 3 food and beverage outlets. We first checked out the Igloo next to the pool, a seasonal winter-only venue that delivers a classic après-ski lounge vibe inside a spacious, heated tent. We stopped here for a casual lunch before heading to the slopes, just as the DJ was getting set up, and our sandwiches were around $15 each.

The Gulch Pub is a full-service bar that’s enclosed from the lobby. We didn’t visit as we’re nondrinkers, but next time we’ll visit for bar bites, such as the chicken wings that everyone was raving about. Due to state laws, you’ll need to show your ID before entering the bar, regardless of whether you’re consuming alcohol.

We had dinner reservations at Swen’s, an upscale restaurant located on the ground floor with gorgeous mountain views. As per our waitress’ recommendations, we ordered the filet mignon ($68) and scallops ($26), which were perfectly cooked to our liking.

Swen’s also serves breakfast, too, where we both opted for the classic Snowpine Breakfast ($21). While prices were a bit steep and reflect typical resort dining, the food quality definitely delivered, with organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.

5. We Experienced Exceptional Service From Start to Finish

The team at Snowpine Resort did an excellent job of making us feel welcome, even during a brief 1-night stay. We felt just as well cared for as if we had traveled much farther. Before our stay, the staff helped coordinate ski lessons at Alta and patiently answered all our questions as first-time skiers.

We loved renting gear from the on-site shop, with staff who were incredibly knowledgeable and took their time to size us appropriately.

The shuttle service was outstanding, as the driver went out of their way to ensure we had a great experience by meeting us at the ski shop to bring our gear to and from there.

Bottom Line:

It’s clear that the entire team at Snowpine Lodge is passionate about winter sports — especially skiing at Alta — which created a warm, inviting atmosphere throughout the resort.

Final Thoughts

My first ski-in, ski-out hotel experience was a success and well worth the splurge. The Snowpine Lodge has a distinctive boutique feel that makes it a place we’d happily return to, as we keep getting better at our new hobby.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and not only did we leave our ski lessons feeling more confident on the slopes, but we also returned to an even more special experience at the resort with delicious dining and fun après-ski amenities.