Mountain Guide
Blackcomb Trail Guides
Beginner
Though Blackcomb is often regarded for its steepness, those just learning have plenty of area to practice - 15% of trails are marked Green. Find your legs at the Base on Yellow Brick Road. Then make your way up to the 7th Heaven Area. Aptly named, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Whistler and gentle, open slopes. Green Line is the longest trail here, it winds from the Peak for 7 miles all around the mountain and returns to the Base.
Advanced/Expert
While just over a third of Snowbird is marked Expert, there is seemingly no end of steep and deep terrain. Almost anywhere is fair game. The Tram enables laps on Silver Fox, one of the longest, steepest descents in North America. For more steeps, take Cirque Traverse past Lower Cirque to Barry Barry Steep. In fresh powder head to Mineral Basin, it gets steeper and deeper as you move away from center. For the most adventurous, access the backcontry through designated gates (and with avalanche gear).
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Snowbird has three main areas - Peruvian Gulch, Gad Valley and Mineral Basin. It can be challenging for Intermediates and Experts to stay together.
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Let the powder and visibility determine which area is best any given day. Stay tuned while riding the lifts and look out for locals and guides - trail signs are limited.
Top Trail Picks
We have skied them all. Here are some of our favorites in each category.
Category
Trail Name
Description
Area / Getting There
Starting Out
Yellow Brick Road
Dedicated area for novices; short with a gentle pitch, easy to access
Take the Magic Chair from the Base, or use the rope tow for bottom portion
Longest
Green Line
Larger area for starting out; try Alice Avenue for a longer run, kids will like Mini Miners camp
From Creekside; exit Baby Thunder Lift to your skier's left and follow Easy Street
Getting Steeper
Middle / Lower Emma
The steepness here is more like a Blue at most places; work your way up
Exit the Wilbere Lift and follow the traverse to the right
Longest
Greenline
7 miles from Horstman Hut to the Base; wind around, see different areas, enjoy the views
Take the Tram and follow Chip's Access; or access directly from the top of the Peruvian Express
Warming Up
Bassackwards
Longer run (when you combine Middle and Lower portions) with some steeper sections, generally groomed
Exit Gadzoom to the right and follow Field's Cutoff; or from the top of Gad 2, exit left for direc access
Scenic Cruiser
Road to Provo
Gaze directly into the Twin Peaks as you cruise around the outer edge of Hidden Peak and into the Gad Area
From Hidden Peak, stay to skier's far left; or exit Little Cloud directly to the right
Fresh Powder
Claim Jumper
This area, also the connection from Alta, is less traveled and the snow stays soft, make your own path between loosely space trees
Exit Baldy to the let and cut back underneath the chair
Getting Steeper
Regulator Johnson
Named for Snowbird's founder, Ted Johnson, this memorable run has breathtaking views and plenty of pitch
To the skier's left from Hidden Peak; Directly under the Little Cloud Lift
Fresh Powder
Mineral Basin (Chamonix Bowl / White Diamonds)
Mineral Basin is the place to be with fresh snow and good visiblity; its gets steeper as you move away from cetner
From Hidden Peak, stay high and to the skier's left to reach Chamonix Bowl
For White Diamonds, follow Path to Paradise from Hidden Peak and drop in where it looks good
Glades
Gadzooks to Tiger Tail
Trees on both sides are tightly spaced, weave through them all the way to Easy Street for a longer run
Exit Gad 2 to the right and stay left past the marked trail to find the best line through the glades
Super Burner
Silver Fox
Super steep from top to bottom (and one of the better marked trails)
From Hidden Peak, stay under the Tram and drop in on skier's right when you see a good line
Steep & Scary
Great Scott
The steepness here will make even the most seasoned pros pause for a second
Berry Berry Steep
Or try the steepness on the otherside on the Gad Valley side of the Cirque Ridge
From Hidden Peak, follow Cirque Traverse just past Silver Fox (its a good idea to scout conditions from the Tram)
Stay along Cirque Traverse and look out to skier's right (past Gad Chutes)
Chutes
Gad Chutes
Narrow and steep with lots of trees to navigate
From Hidden Peak, take Regulator Johnson to Cirque Traverse and look out on your skier's right
On Mountain Dining Recommendations
All dining at Snowbird is convenient from the mountain. There are two restaurants on the mountain and many more at Snowbird Center or Creekside Base. For more options see our Alta Dining Guide. Our top picks are below:
The Summit Restaurant
It's hard to beat this location and its breathtaking views (indoors and on the patio). Following a $15mm renovation in 2015, the feel is modern and fresh. The food is elevated with a focus on healthy, organic ingredients. There is a large salad bar, artisanal pizzas, rotating soup choices and a rotisserie station. Only downside is the crowds, go early or late to avoid them.
Mid-Gad Restaurant
Snowbird's only mid-mountain dining option is very convenient and tends to be less crowded than the Summit. This is a great spot for a break, particularly when shredding the Gad Area. The menu is somewhat limited to burgers (of all varieties) and chili. The sundeck is nice on a bluebird day and there may even be some outdoor grilling. It's also easy to pop in for a snack.
Birdfeeder
Ideal for re-fueling between laps on the Tram. Burgers, sandwiches, chili and snacks are all available and made relatively quickly. Grab some food and head back up the tram, or have a seat and relax on the outdoor deck for a bit.
Size / Elevation
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Peak: 11,000ft | 3,353m
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Vertical Drop: 3,240 ft
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Main Base: 8,110ft | 2,472m
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Total Area: 2,500 acres |
(10.1 sq km)
Terrain Overview
Mountain Range: Wasatch
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171 Trails
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Much of Snowbird is above the treeline creating bowl like areas
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Backcountry access from both peaks
Peaks
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Hidden Peak (11,000 ft)
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Gad 2 (8,840 ft)
Bases
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Snowbird Center (Main Base)
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Creekside
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Wilbere
On Mountain Dining
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2 locations (see our guide)
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6 options at Snowbird Center
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Lift Stats
Uphill Capacity: 69,939 ppl / hr
37 Total Lifts
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1 Aerial Tram (125 person)
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6 High speed Quads
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4 Doubles
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1 Minimum lift to access peak from base (Tram)
Terrain Mix
