User:GabrielleDodson/sandbox

Skiing in the Wasatch [|Salt Lake City] is the home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. There are two canyons, Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon, where the ski resorts are. In Big CottonWood Canyon, the resorts include, Brighton Ski Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort. In Little Cottonwood Canyon, the resorts are Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. Each resort is about a 25-30 minute drive up the canyon.

Brighton Ski Resort allows both skiers and snowboarders to ride freely. It has a wide set of terrain, ranging from greens to double blacks. Brighton also has a terrain park for freestyle riders. In addition to many groomed trails, there are also chutes, trees, and cliffs. Any level of skier is welcome, as there are runs for beginners, intermediate riders, and experts. During the season, Brighton also offers nigh skiing which contains 22 runs with over 200 acres. Brighton also offers a ski and snowboard school where anyone can learn to ride. The school has private lessons, daily group classes at every level, and even a specialty series for children, seniors, women, and more. The base elevation is 8,755' and the top elevation is 10,500. The average annual snowfall is 500''. There are 5 quad lifts, 1 triple, and one magic carpet, adding up to 66 runs total. Brighton also includes quite a few dining areas. Millicent Chalet is the newest dining area, which has great food, an outdoor patio, and views of Mt. Millicent. The Alpine Rose Cafeteria is at the base of the mountain and is accessible to non skiers. They have breakfast, lunch, and dinner for hungry skiers and easy grab and go snacks. Molly Green's is located on the upper floor of the Brighton Manner, and is accessible to non skiers as well. Molly Green's is a bar and grill, which includes pizza and nachos. To top it off, there is a fireplace and great views of the mountain. Blind Miner Coffee is located on the main floor of the Brighton Center. Not only does it have a wide variety of coffee and tea, they also have snacks. Last, Silver Fork Lodge is the off site dining area, serving large portions of food. Slow canyon drivers often stop on their way down after a day of hitting the slopes. It is located just 5 miles below Brighton.

Solitude Mountain Resort is a smaller resort which allows both skiers and snowboarders as well. The terrain contains mostly blues and greens and a few blacks. It is a great place for beginner skiers and intermediate skiers to have a nice relaxing day, without large crowds. There is a SnowSports Academy where one can learn how to ski or snowboard. There are a few dining places as well. The Moonbeam Day Lodge is the resorts largest cafeteria style dining area which is a great place to grab lunch or a quick snack. Roundhouse is up on the mountain and has a menu of Himalayan food, such as, curries and naan bread. St. Bernard's is a cozy lodge where families generally eat in a buffet style restaurant, the food is European styled. Stone Haus Pizza and Creamery is a great place to grab a pizza and ice cream after hitting the slopes. Last, there is the Thirsty Squirrel, which is a great place to grab a beer or a cocktail.

In Little Cottonwood Canyon, the first ski resort you come upon while driving up the canyon is Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. It is a popular mountain which allows skiers and snowboarders. There are 11 lifts and 27% of the trails are green, 38% are blue, 20% are black a,d 15% are double black. Snowbird is known for its terrain and the powder, with over 500 inches of snow falling annually. The base of the mountain 7,760 feet and the top is 11,000 feet. Snowbird has an abundant amount of dining areas. The Summit is the newest restaurant at the top of Hidden Peak, where one can get a refreshing meal. The Aerie has Modern-American gastropub cuisine, focusing on local and seasonal ingredients. The Atrium has gourmet coffees, pastries, and breakfast year round. The Steak Pit contains prime steak, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list. El Chanate is Snowbird's Mexican food and Tequila bar. The Lodge Bistro has French American food and contains a lounge. The Wildflower is Italian Cuisine with an abundant amount of delicious pizza. Creekside Cafe is in the heart of mountain, with beer, burgers, coffee, baked goods and more.

The second resort up the canyon is Alta Ski Area. Alta is a resort exclusively for skiers, with a moderate to advance terrain. The terrain ranges from greens to double blacks and there are 8 lifts. They have ski rentals and lessons available as well. There are a few dining areas at Alta. There are four on the mountain dining areas and and eight restaurants on the base area. Albion Grill is an off the mountain restaurant with a family friendly buffet and a great view of the slopes, it also has an outdoor deck. Alta Java is located at Albion Basin and it is a small serving area that specializes in coffee, lemonade, biscuits, and waffles. Some of the on the mountain resorts include Alf's Restaurant, which is at the base of the Sugarloaf lift; it is a family friendly restaurant, known for it's hot chocolate and fries. Collins grill is a buffet style restaurant in the middle of the Collins lift, it is a great place to grab some grub and warm up. There are many ski resorts in Utah, however, the four in Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonw