You know all the best places to go for great skiing in Utah – and so does everyone else. How about changing things up this year and trying a few under-the-radar locations to explore? You’ll get to enjoy a break in your skiing routine as well as new vistas in the beautiful Utah landscape. Here are some of our favorite places to add to your “must ski” list.

Nordic Valley

Just a 1.5 hours’ drive will bring you to this ski resort in the Wasatch Mountains. Here, you won’t find huge crowds, but you will find a small community of skiers who value making connections while enjoying their outdoor hobbies. Most of the resort caters to intermediate and advanced skiers, though countless people have started their skiing journeys here – one of Nordic Valley’s claims to fame, in fact, is their ski school. The most important thing you need to know about this resort is that their night skiing opportunities are epic. With a recent expansion that almost doubled their acreage and trail opportunities, you won’t want to miss a run here.

Brian Head Resort

Though it’s a long drive to get there – nearly 3.5 hours – it’s totally worth it to visit the highest resort in Utah, with views that stretch out across the red rock desert beyond. It’s the perfect place for a winter weekend getaway. There is plenty of space for skiers of all levels here, from beginners to advanced, as well as ample opportunities to sit by the roaring fires in the Lift Bar’s enormous fireplaces.

Beaver Mountain

Tucked away just south of the Idaho border is the oldest continuously-owned family ski resort in the entire country. Thanks to its northern location, it has the ultimate fluffy, dry powder. The trails are primarily intermediate, though there are several areas for beginners and advanced skiers as well.

Powder Mountain

This resort is touted as the least-crowded ski resort in the country, thanks to its massive size and careful management of visitors. It is entirely likely to find yourself skiing on untracked powder – and not only that, but real powder. Most larger ski resorts make their own snow to “pad the trails,” but not here. Powder Mountain gives you the real experience.

Follow the Olympus at the District blog for more information on where to play, shop, and eat this winter.