Short answer: Park City Mountain, Alta and Solitude plan to open Nov 20, 2026. Snowbird and Snowbasin plan Nov 27. Deer Valley targets Dec 5, which is also the first day of its Kids Ski Free Week (Dec 5 to 11). Powder Mountain hasn't published a 2026-27 date; its FAQ says it typically opens with limited terrain by the first weekend in December. Brighton hasn't announced a date. Every one of these depends on conditions. If your kids are beginners, I'd aim for the first or second week of December, when more resorts are open, learning terrain has had time to fill in, and Deer Valley's free kids' tickets kick in.
Last checked 2026-10-30 against each resort's own site and Ski Utah's "2026-27 Utah Ski Resort Opening Dates" (sources at the bottom).
I'm a dad based in PA, and Park City and the Wasatch are this site's home-mountain focus. Every fall the question from other East Coast parents is the same: "If we book an early December flight to Salt Lake, what will actually be open for the kids?" Here's what each resort has published so far, and what it hasn't.
Wasatch opening dates, 2026-27
| Resort | Opening | What's published for week one | Source, last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park City Mountain | Fri Nov 20, 2026 | Winter 2026/27 season runs Nov 20, 2026 to Apr 19, 2027. Which beginner areas open on day one isn't published, so check with the resort. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.parkcitymountain.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/hours-of-operation.aspx |
| Alta | Fri Nov 20, 2026 | Sunnyside and Collins lifts, 9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Ikon and Mountain Collective accepted. No parking reservation needed on opening day. Skiers only, no snowboards. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.alta.com/events/opening-day |
| Solitude | Fri Nov 20, 2026 | Lifts open Nov 20, conditions permitting. Lift list not published, so check with the resort. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.solitudemountain.com/ |
| Snowbird | Fri Nov 27, 2026 | Opening Day scheduled Nov 27, conditions dependent. Opening terrain depends on conditions. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.snowbird.com/activities-events/events/events-calendar/opening-day/ |
| Snowbasin | Fri Nov 27, 2026 | Opening date only. Thanksgiving buffet in Earl's Lodge Thu Nov 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., reservations required. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.skiutah.com/blog/authors/yeti/utah-ski-resort-opening-dates/ and https://www.snowbasin.com/ |
| Deer Valley | Sat Dec 5, 2026 | Slated to open Dec 5, conditions permitting. Kids Ski Free Week starts the same day. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.deervalley.com/media-room/091626-hail-peak-express-event (release dated 2026-09-16) |
| Powder Mountain | No 2026-27 date published | Per its FAQ, it typically opens with limited terrain by the first weekend in December. Check with the resort for this season. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://powdermountain.com/faq |
| Brighton | Not announced | Ski Utah lists "to be announced." | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.skiutah.com/blog/authors/yeti/utah-ski-resort-opening-dates/ |
Outside the Salt Lake and Park City cluster, Ski Utah also lists Brian Head (Nov 6, southern Utah) and Sundance (Dec 4). Eagle Point will not open this season because of the Cottonwood Fire.
What week one looks like for a kid
Opening day is not the whole mountain. The published lift lists are short, and they're built for people who already ski.
- Alta lists two lifts for Nov 20, Sunnyside and Collins. Nothing published says which learning areas will be running. Alta's kids' group lessons are for ages 4 to 12. See our Alta family guide.
- Park City Mountain hasn't said which beginner areas open Nov 20. Its learning zones are High Meadow Park and Red Pine at Canyons and First Time Park at Mountain Village. Its youngest group lessons are for ages 3-4. See Park City for families.
- Snowbird says opening day is conditions dependent. Its youngest lesson is the Chickadee group lesson for ages 3-4 (1:1 ratio, $330 off-peak / $363 peak), and it runs 2026-12-12 to 2027-04-11. Snowbird opens Nov 27, so 3-4 year olds can't take a Snowbird lesson until Dec 12. On opening weekends, families with 3-4 year olds should plan on childcare or another resort's lesson. Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.snowbird.com/guiding-lessons/programs/youth-lessons/. See Snowbird with kids.
- Solitude doesn't publish a youngest group lesson age. Its first-timer lesson is split into 13 and under and 14+, so check with the resort for a young child.
- Deer Valley opens later, on Dec 5, with no published opening-day lift list yet. See Deer Valley for families.
My rule for early season: a kid who already links turns will be happy on a handful of groomed runs. A first-timer needs a working learning area and a lesson, so ask the resort which learning lift is open before you book a lesson for the first two weeks.
Childcare and lessons: what's bookable early
| Resort | Non-ski childcare | Lessons for young kids | Source, last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Valley | Children's Center, state-licensed, ages 2 months to 12 years, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Snow Park Lodge. Winter season only. Infant rate $220 / $230 / $235 (Regular / High / Holiday). No start date published beyond the Dec 5 opening. | Group lessons ages 3-17. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.deervalley.com/things-to-do/activities/childrens-center |
| Park City Mountain | Little Adventures, Canyons Village, ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Winter session Nov 20 to Apr 11. Ages 6 weeks to 23 months: $238 full day / $208 half day. Ages 2 to 6: $233 full day / $203 half day. Extended hours +$45. | Youngest group lesson: ages 3-4. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.parkcitymountain.com/plan-your-trip/childcare.aspx and https://www.parkcitymountain.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/know-before-you-go.aspx |
| Snowbird | Superior Childcare, licensed, ages 6 weeks to 12 years, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Listed as available year-round, space subject to availability. Price not published; book through Superior Childcare. | Chickadee group lesson, ages 3-4, 1:1 ratio, 2026-12-12 to 2027-04-11, $330 off-peak / $363 peak. Not available until Dec 12, so on opening weekends plan on childcare or another resort's lesson for ages 3-4. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.snowbird.com/lodging-amenities/childcare/ and https://www.snowbird.com/guiding-lessons/programs/youth-lessons/ |
| Snowbasin | No daycare. | Ages 3-4: Mini Cubs half-day group lesson or Mini Cub Private one-hour lesson. No early-season lesson start date published. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.snowbasin.com/lessons/youth-lessons/ |
| Brighton | No licensed daycare. | Group lessons from age 4. No date published. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.brightonresort.com/lessons |
| Alta | No non-ski childcare listed on the ski school page. | Group lessons ages 4 to 12. No early-season lesson date published. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.alta.com/ski-school |
| Solitude | None published; check with the resort. | Youngest group lesson age not published. First-timer lesson is split 13 and under / 14+. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.solitudemountain.com/plan-your-trip/lessons-and-programs |
| Powder Mountain | None published; check with the resort. | Ages 3-4: 2-hour private lesson only, $349. Youngest group lesson: Yetis, ages 5-6, $259 full day including lift ticket. | Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://powdermountain.com/lessons |
If childcare is make-or-break, book it the same day you book lodging, and call to confirm the first week it runs. Our ski resorts with childcare guide has the full table.
Deer Valley Kids Ski Free Week, Dec 5 to 11, 2026
Kids 12 and under ski free at Deer Valley from Saturday Dec 5 through Friday Dec 11, 2026, plus 50% off Deer Valley Tot and Junior ski rentals. Get the free ticket before you go, since kids still need a ticket in hand. It's also opening week, so expect limited terrain. Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.deervalley.com/plan-your-trip/packages-specials/kids-ski-free. Other free-kids windows are in our kids ski free guide.
Powder Mountain has its own kids' deal: kids 6 and under ski free every day. Tickets must be reserved online and are subject to the daily ticket limit, so reserve before you drive up. Up to two free youth season passes (12 and under) also come with an adult, senior or military Unlimited pass. Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://powdermountain.com/kids-ski-free. It's a better fit for kids who already ski; see Powder Mountain.
Dates that close before you fly
- Brighton: 2026-27 season pass savings and family packaging end Mon Nov 2 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.brightonresort.com/.
- Epic Pass (Park City Mountain): Vail Resorts says Epic Pass prices go up after Nov 15. Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://news.vailresorts.com/.
- Ski Utah Passport (4th, 5th and 6th graders): Nov 27-28, Dec 26-31, Jan 16-17 and Feb 13-14 are blacked out at Alta, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, Powder Mountain, Snowbird and others. Snowbasin and Solitude list no blackout dates. Last checked 2026-10-30 against https://www.skiutah.com/passes/passports/fifth-grade-passport-faq.
Which week I'd pick from the East Coast
- Kids who already ski blues: Thanksgiving week works. Park City, Alta and Solitude plan to open Nov 20, and Snowbird and Snowbasin Nov 27. Watch the Passport blackout on Nov 27-28. More in our Thanksgiving ski trip guide.
- First-timers or a toddler in care: First or second week of December. Deer Valley's Children's Center and Kids Ski Free Week line up on Dec 5 to 11, and Park City has had two weeks to open more terrain.
- Either way: book refundable lodging, check the resort's terrain report the week before, and don't book flights around a date the resort hasn't announced (Brighton, Powder Mountain). Flights from PHL, NYC or BOS: see why Salt Lake City and flying vs driving.
I'm not quoting airfares or lodging prices. They change daily, and no resort publishes them.
Quick answers
When do Utah ski resorts open for 2026-27?
Park City Mountain, Alta and Solitude plan to open Nov 20, 2026. Snowbird and Snowbasin plan Nov 27, and Deer Valley Dec 5. Powder Mountain hasn't published a date; it typically opens with limited terrain by the first weekend in December. Brighton hasn't announced a date. All depend on conditions (checked 2026-10-30).
When does Deer Valley open, and when is Kids Ski Free Week?
Deer Valley is slated to open Dec 5, 2026, conditions permitting. Kids 12 and under ski free Dec 5 through Dec 11, 2026, with 50% off Tot and Junior rentals.
Is childcare open early season in the Wasatch?
Park City's Little Adventures (6 weeks to 6 years) runs its winter session Nov 20 to Apr 11. Snowbird lists Superior Childcare (6 weeks to 12 years) as available year-round. Deer Valley's Children's Center (2 months to 12 years) runs in the winter season only. Solitude and Powder Mountain publish no childcare.
Is early December or Thanksgiving better for a first-timer in Utah?
Early December. More resorts are open, learning terrain has had time to fill in, and Deer Valley's Kids Ski Free Week runs Dec 5 to 11. Thanksgiving week suits kids who already ski blues.
Are there Ski Utah Passport blackout dates early season?
Yes. Nov 27-28, 2026 is blacked out at Alta, Brighton, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, Powder Mountain and Snowbird, among others. Snowbasin and Solitude list no blackout dates.
Sources
- Ski Utah, "2026-27 Utah Ski Resort Opening Dates," 2026-10-01: https://www.skiutah.com/blog/authors/yeti/utah-ski-resort-opening-dates/
- Park City Mountain, Hours of Operation (season dates), last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.parkcitymountain.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/hours-of-operation.aspx
- Park City Mountain, Childcare, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.parkcitymountain.com/plan-your-trip/childcare.aspx
- Park City Mountain, Lessons: Arrival and Preparation (ages 3-4 groups), last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.parkcitymountain.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/know-before-you-go.aspx
- Alta, Opening Day, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.alta.com/events/opening-day
- Alta, Ski School, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.alta.com/ski-school
- Solitude homepage (lifts open Nov 20), last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.solitudemountain.com/
- Solitude, Lessons and Programs, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.solitudemountain.com/plan-your-trip/lessons-and-programs
- Snowbird, Opening Day, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.snowbird.com/activities-events/events/events-calendar/opening-day/
- Snowbird, Childcare, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.snowbird.com/lodging-amenities/childcare/
- Snowbird, Youth Lessons, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.snowbird.com/guiding-lessons/programs/youth-lessons/
- Snowbasin, Youth Lessons, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.snowbasin.com/lessons/youth-lessons/
- Snowbasin homepage (Thanksgiving buffet), last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.snowbasin.com/
- Deer Valley media room, release dated 2026-09-16: https://www.deervalley.com/media-room/091626-hail-peak-express-event
- Deer Valley, Kids Ski Free Week, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.deervalley.com/plan-your-trip/packages-specials/kids-ski-free
- Deer Valley, Children's Center, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.deervalley.com/things-to-do/activities/childrens-center
- Vail Resorts, 2026/27 opening dates release, 2026-08-18: https://news.vailresorts.com/2026-08-18-Is-Winter-About-to-Show-Off-Vail-Resorts-Announces-2026-27-Opening-Dates-as-Super-El-Nino-Builds-Anticipation-for-Great-Powder
- Powder Mountain, FAQ (typical opening), last checked 2026-10-30: https://powdermountain.com/faq
- Powder Mountain, Lessons, last checked 2026-10-30: https://powdermountain.com/lessons
- Powder Mountain, Kids Ski Free, last checked 2026-10-30: https://powdermountain.com/kids-ski-free
- Brighton, Lessons, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.brightonresort.com/lessons
- Ski Utah, Passport FAQ, last checked 2026-10-30: https://www.skiutah.com/passes/passports/fifth-grade-passport-faq
Last updated: 2026-10-30