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This is when Utah ski areas plan to open for the 2026-27 season

A super El Niño is coming. Resorts aren’t yet changing their plans.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Will Johnson pops out of the pond in style in Peruvian Gulch as Snowbird closes the book on the 2024-25 ski season on Monday, May 26, 2025. Utah's resorts have begun announcing their opening dates for the 2026-27 season.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Will Johnson pops out of the pond in style in Peruvian Gulch as Snowbird closes the book on the 2024-25 ski season on Monday, May 26, 2025. Utah's resorts have begun announcing their opening dates for the 2026-27 season.

By https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/bc674ce3-2d61-4899-8d38-81e1a1f71dc1.png Julie Jag
 | Sep. 20, 2026, 6:00 a.m.
| Updated: 3:54 p.m.

Note to readers • This article and list will be updated throughout the season.

A super El Niño is in the air, quite literally, and it’s bringing with it what could optimistically be a winter to remember. Operators of Utah’s ski and snowboard resort seem to have taken little notice, though, at least when it comes to setting their opening dates for the 2026-27 season.

Sure, Brian Head Resort raised a few eyebrows when it announced it plans to open Nov. 6. But that’s not out of line with its opening-day predictions over the last few seasons. Last year, for example, it targeted Nov. 7. It didn’t open until Nov. 25, though, thanks to the warm autumn.

Might Utahns get those two weeks back this fall and see a resort open in October for the first time in 20 years? It’s unlikely, since the brunt of the moisture from the super El Niño isn’t expected to hit the state until January. However, it’s also not impossible. Only Mother Nature knows for sure.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The first skiers at Park City Mountain Resort go through the banner on Friday, Nov 22, 2024.

In the meantime, here are the estimated 2026-27 opening dates for all 16 Utah ski areas:

Utah 2026-27 Ski Season Opening Dates (tentative)

Alta Ski Area: Nov. 20.

Brian Head Resort: Nov. 6.

Deer Valley Resort: Dec. 5.

Eagle Point: Closed for season due to damage from Cottonwood Fire

Park City Mountain: Nov. 20.

Powder Mountain: Dec. 11.

Snowbasin: Nov. 27.

Snowbird: Nov. 27.

Snowland Ski Area: Late December.

Solitude Mountain Resort: Nov. 20.

Sundance Resort: Early December.

TBD: Beaver Mountain, Brighton, Cherry Peak, Nordic Valley, Woodward Park City.

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