Snowbird
Salt Lake City · Utah · USA
988m
Vertical Drop
169
Runs
14
Lifts
1,011 ha
Skiable Area
1,300 cm
Avg Snowfall
Nov 2026 – May 2027
Season
About
Steep, deep-powder resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon, 45 minutes from Salt Lake City and 30 minutes from the international airport. 2,500 acres dominated by expert terrain — Snowbird's reputation for relentless steeps, narrow chutes, and 'the greatest snow on earth' draws hardcore skiers from around the world. Connected to neighbouring Alta via the Mineral Basin link (single-resort pass available). Long season usually runs well into May. Owned by the Cumming family.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
3,353m
Base
2,365m
Vertical Drop
988m
Lift Breakdown
1
Gondolas
11
Chairlifts
2
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
1,200–1,800
Main Employers
- Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort
- Cliff Lodge & Spa
- The Lodge at Snowbird
- The Inn at Snowbird
- Iron Blosam Lodge
- Snowbird Ski School
- On-mountain F&B (multiple restaurants and bars)
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- International workers usually arrive on J-1 Exchange Visitor visas (Work & Travel) for 4-month seasonal roles, or H-2B for longer-term hires. Snowbird participates in J-1 programs through agencies like CIEE, InterExchange, and CCUSA. Australians can also apply for E-3 visas; PSIA-certified instructors sometimes sponsored on H-2B.
- Recruitment Timeline
- Snowbird begins hiring in August for the November opening. J-1 placement agencies match candidates from June–September. Most lift, F&B, and housekeeping roles fill by October. Instructors require PSIA / AASI certification. Apply through Snowbird's careers page.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- USD $300–$500 (Salt Lake City prices for off-mountain workers)
- Public Transport
- UTA Ski Bus runs from Salt Lake City to Snowbird daily during winter. Free Cottonwood Canyon shuttles between Snowbird base areas. The canyon road requires traction-controlled tires or chains during heavy snow; UDOT periodically closes the canyon for avalanche control. Most staff live in Salt Lake City or in Snowbird employee housing.
Staff Perks
- Free season pass (Snowbird + Alta on certain pass tiers)
- Staff meals at on-mountain F&B
- Pro deals on gear
- Discounted lodging for friends & family
- Free yoga and gym access at Cliff Spa
- Reciprocal benefits at partner resorts
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- The Tram Club and El Chanate at the Cliff Lodge are après-ski staples. The General Gritts hotel deli and Forklift restaurant are popular post-ski. Salt Lake City (45 min) has a robust nightlife scene — staff often head into town for bigger nights. Utah's beer/liquor laws are quirky but don't stop the scene.
- Healthcare
- Snowbird Medical Clinic on-mountain during ski season. Intermountain Medical Center in Murray (45 min) for major emergencies. University of Utah Hospital in SLC (45 min). Pharmacies in Cottonwood Heights and SLC.
- Shops & Services
- On-mountain shops cover essentials (small market, gear retail, ski tuning). Cottonwood Heights and Sandy (40 min down-canyon) for full-service supermarkets, pharmacies, banks. Salt Lake City (45 min) for everything.
- International Community
- Medium-large — strong J-1 international community, particularly from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, the UK, Australia, and Eastern Europe. Tight-knit on-mountain staff scene and a bigger international community in Salt Lake City. English is the working language.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Snowbird →Season
Nov 2026 – May 2027
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -10°C to -2°C
- Snow Reliability
- high
- Snowmaking
- 5% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 1,300 cm/yr
Location
40.5820°N, -111.6560°W
Nearest town: Salt Lake City