How to Have the Best Day Ever
Planning a ski day at a resort with over 5,000 skiable acres can be intimidating. Where do you park? Which areas hold the best snow? How do you figure out the flow and maximize your time on the snow?
If you want to build a smarter ski trip itinerary and make the most of your day at Powder Mountain, look no further. Powder Mountain may be massive, but with a bit of prep—and this guide—you'll spend more time making turns and less time scouring the trail map.
Why Planning Pays Off
The more prepared you are for your day at Powder Mountain, the better. The massive mountain has over 160 runs, five chairlifts, one surface lift, and one rope tow to move you across the terrain. On-mountain art installations are spread throughout the vast landscapes, and you have many unique zones to explore across over 5,000 acres. A little planning helps you skip the crowds, hit the best snow, and experience the rhythm of the mountain.
Tips for Planning Your Day at Powder Mountain
- Arrive early: Parking is first-come, first-served. We recommend arriving between 8:00 and 8:30 am, especially on weekends or after storms.
- Know where to park: Hidden Lake for beginner and intermediate access, or Timberline for central terrain and expert access.
- Start with the : Read the overview of the day's conditions and check the grooming report to see which trails have fresh corduroy.
- Use the shuttle: A free on-mountain shuttle connects key base areas like Sundown, Timberline, and Hidden Lake.
- Know your zones. Sun, wind, and elevation can cause conditions to shift quickly, so flex your plan as needed.
- Eat off-peak: Hidden Lake Lodge, Timberline Lodge, and the Powder Keg get busy at lunch. Grab food early or late for more time on the snow.
- Leave time to explore: With this much terrain, plus our newly revamped terrain parks, the best runs are often those you didn't plan on.
Suggested Itineraries
Whether cruising groomers or chasing fresh powder, these sample routes minimize the aimless wandering and maximize the amount of skiing and riding in your day.
Beginner to Intermediate Route
This loop is great for first-timers or those who love smooth, scenic laps with just the right amount of challenge.
- Park at Hidden Lake
- Warm up by skiing Lodge Trail to Amy's 3 Mile, a long, gentle cat track
- Ride Hidden Lake and ski East 40 top-to-bottom
- Ride Hidden Lake back up and ski Lodge Trail to Drifter
- Ride Timberline and ski Drifter to keep it easy, or Sidewinder for a step up
- Take a break at Timberline Lodge with a slice of pizza or a sandwich
- Take the shuttle to Sundown, ride the lift up, and ski Confidence to take it easy or Kwick Draw if you want more of a challenge
- Ride Sundown and take Slow Poke back to the bottom of Timberline lift
- Ride Timberline and ski Burntwood
- Ride Hidden Lake and ski East 40 to the Sunrise Poma
- Ride Sunrise and take your pick of some of the greatest green runs on the mountain (Mushroom Valley, Picnic, or Sunrise)
- Ride Hidden Lake and Sunrise to explore more of the Sunrise area, then ski Meadow's Express
- Ride Paradise and ski Gateway to Burntwood
- Wrap the day with nachos at Hidden Lake Cantina, or drive down to Timberline for après at the Powder Keg
Advanced to Expert Route
Perfect for those looking to explore steeper terrain, hunt for powder, and mix in a few hike-to zones if conditions allow.
- Park at Timberline, ski down Rendezvous to Paradise Lift
- Lap Straight Shot to Eureka for fast, fun turns
- Ride Paradise and ski any of the Lakeview runs
- Ride Hidden Lake and ski Woody's World (check out Moose Hollow or Faceshot)
- Catch the shuttle to Sundown
- Ride Sundown, enter the top Powder Country gate, hike Baldy Peak (if it's open), and ski Baldy Face
- Catch the shuttle back up to Sundown
- Ride Sundown, enter the middle Powder Country gate, and explore Sounder Ridge
- Catch the shuttle to Sundown and take a break at Lucky Slice for a slice of pizza
- Ride Sundown and ski Slow Poke to the bottom of the Lightning Ridge lift
- Ride Lightning Ridge and ski Cache Bowl
- Ride Lightning Ridge again and hike James Peak (if it's open), and take your pick of some of the most incredible runs at Powder
- Ride Paradise and either continue lapping the Paradise zone or ski Sun Slope if you're ready to head back to the lodge
- Finish your day with unbeatable après vibes at the Powder Keg
Whether it's your first visit to Powder or your fiftieth time this season, there are always new areas to explore. No matter how often you visit, the experience is always exceptional, and is here to provide your next best day ever.
If you're here for the powder or the uncrowded mountain space, a little planning goes a long way. Grab your gear, save your itinerary, and trust that your best run of the day might be the one you didn't expect.
Powder Mountain Ski Trip Itinerary FAQs:
Q: What should a ski trip itinerary include for a full day on the mountain?
A: Incorporate a mix of groomers, tree runs, and powder hunting. Don't be afraid to veer from your planned itinerary; exploration is the best way to experience Powder Mountain.
Q: What's the best way to enjoy a powder day?
A: Chase fresh turns in zones like Powder Country and Woody's World. Use the to help guide your line choices.
Q: How do I plan a ski trip to Powder Mountain?
A: Start by pre-purchasing your lift tickets, checking the Mountain Conditions Report on the day of your visit, and planning your routes with the . Arrive early to secure parking and maximize your time on snow.