Best Camping Spots near Ski Resorts in Utah

Are you looking to hit the slopes on The Greatest Snow Earth, but want to avoid overpaying for accommodations and expensive rental cars? A winter vanlife road trip from Salt Lake City is the perfect option for you to shred the freshest powder, all while saving on accommodations and getting to experience the freedom that vanlife offers. We’ve got the best camping spots in Utah that are near the action of the ski resorts, creating the perfect winter getaway.

To make your winter camper van road trip as epic as possible we have put together a list of the best places to crash after your day on the slopes. During the winter, ski resorts are stricter about unauthorized camping, but through our research and local knowledge, we have the best campsites for your winter road trip to Utah’s Ski Resorts. Utah’s ski resorts are grouped into five geographical areas; this makes it the perfect place to hit a ton of world-class ski resorts in one trip.

Wasatch Front

Ski Areas: Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, Brighton Resort
Recommended Camping Spot: Mountain Shadows RV Park
Max # of Nights: 14 Days
Facilities: Full-Service

The Wasatch Front is arguably home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. Located less than 25 minutes from Salt Lake City, the resorts each get over 500 inches of snow and offer endless trails full of fresh powder. While none of the resorts offer camping in their parking lots, the Mountain Shadows RV Park is the perfect option to be centrally located and hit all four ski resorts. You can even check out downtown SLC in the evenings!

Pro-tip: Take the UTA ski busses up to Alta/Snowbird (Route 953) or Solitude/Brighton (Route 972) from the Midvale Fort Union Station to avoid traffic and hit the slopes earlier!

Wasatch Back

Ski Areas: Park City Ski Resort, Deer Valley Resort
Recommended Camping Spot: Park City RV Resort
Max # of Nights: 29 Days
Facilities: Full-Service

The Wasatch Back is home to the picturesque mountain town of Park City. Here you will find the massive Park City Mountain Resort and the smaller more luxurious Deer Valley Resort. During the winter season, the cost of accommodation is through the roof. A campervan rental is a perfect way to experience the mountains at a more affordable price. The closest place to post up for the night is the Park City RV Resort. After a long day on the slopes, Park City offers endless restaurants to grab some grub.

Pro-tip: Park City is famous for two things, its world-class skiing and terrible parking/traffic, your best bet will be to hop on the free High Valley Transit Bus (Route 101) that takes you right to the lift. 

Northern Utah

Resorts: Cherry Peak Ski Resort, Beaver Mountain Ski Area
Recommended Camping Spot: Cherry Peak Ski Resort (Call for approval)
Max # of Nights: 5 Days
Facilities: None

While Northern Utah isn’t as famous as some of the other ski areas in Utah it still offers endless fresh powder and significantly fewer people, letting you get more runs in. Cherry Peak Ski Resort is one of the few Utah Ski Resorts that offers parking lot camping, however, be aware that it does not have any facilities. From Cherry Peak, you can easily access Beaver Mountain, one of the oldest family-owned ski areas, via a scenic 45-minute drive.

Pro-tip: As you are already close to the Idaho border, extend your vanlife road trip and head off on an epic ski trip in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Ogden

Resorts: Snowbasin Resort, Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley Ski Resort
Recommended Camping Spot: Nordic Valley Ski Resort (Call for approval)
Max # of Nights: 7 Days
Facilities: None

The Ski Resorts near Ogden, Utah are some of the most underrated places to hit the slopes while avoiding the crazy crowds that the more popular ski resorts have. Nordic Valley Ski Resort is another Utah ski area that allows parking lot camping, the best part is from Nordic Valley you are only 25 minutes away from Snowbasin Resort and Powder Mountain. This is by far the best place to post up if you want to experience a bunch of ski areas without having to drive hours to get to them. 

Pro-tip: Nordic Valley offers the best night skiing in Utah (over 80% of the runs have lights). To get a full day of skiing in head over to Snowbasin or Powder Mountain in the morning and then head back to Nordic Valley at night to finish off your day with some night skiing, 

Provo

Resorts: Sundance Mountain Resort
Recommended Camping Spot: Provo River Resort
Max # of Nights: 29 Days
Facilities: Full-Service

Sundance Mountain Resort is a unique and special ski resort that was built by Robert Redford and is where the Sundance Film Festival Started. The Provo River RV Resort is a mere 10 minutes away from Sundance and less than an hour from Salt Lake City. Sundance is the perfect spot to head to if you want a secluded mountain retreat.

Pro-tip: Sundance is home to multiple world-class restaurants and bars. While they are definitely a splurge it is well worth grabbing a meal and enjoying the magical ambiance.

Things To Consider:

1. Purchase a Portable Toilet to Bring: Many of the camping locations mentioned do not have any facilities. It’s always good to have a portable potty if you’re in a pinch (cough, cough).
2. Be Prepared and Flexible: Always keep an eye on the weather during winter in the mountains. Blizzards can come quickly, so be prepared and allow flexibility in your itinerary.
3. Stay Hydrated: Maintaining ample hydration is key to an epic winter camping experience. Especially if you’re hitting the ski slopes regularly, your body needs the clear fuel of water for optimum performance.
4. Implement Winter Water Procedures: To prevent liquids in your van from freezing, make sure to initiate winter water procedures. Emptying water jogs, flushing faucets, and ensuring no water that freezes will damage your van.
5. Add a Winter Package to your Rental: With years of winter camping experience under our belt, we know what comforts you need to stay warm.
6. Rent a Ski/Snowboard Rack: Brining your own ski or snowboarding equipment on your trip to Colorado? No worries, rent a Ski Rack from us and we can attach that to your rental before pickup.

Utah has some amazing ski resorts and we hope you get the chance to go camping near them. If you have questions about comparing campervan and RV rental prices? Drop us a line and we’d be happy to help.