The resort's erstwhile owner, Sinclair Oil Tycoon Earl Holding, who passed away in 2013 and who also owned Sun Valley, dumped a lot of money into Snowbasin in a series of improvements that were far more lavish than the modest resort's skiers would have required. So enjoy it—the base lodges here stack up with those at any big time destination resort in the west or east.

Many of these improvements came just before the 2002 Winter Olympics, widely recognized as the best Winter Games ever hosted, came to Utah. Snowbasin hosted two of the premier alpine events: the mens's and women's downhill races as well as both Super G races. To access the top of the race courses, skiers board the Allen Peak Tram. While looking out the windows, skiers can steel themselves for the steeps that await.

The Strawberry Gondola gets skiers to some of the best terrain on the mountain. There are shots here, far to skiers left, that stack up with the steeps at Alta and Snowbird, although they don't ski as long. Enterprising skiers can get into the Middle Bowl Cirque and ski Arrowhead, Flamingo and Let It Be for steeper drops and preserved powder. Not quite as far left takes riders past major league cliff bands and all sorts of huckable powder holes for those who spend a little time looking. Skier's right leads down Sisters's Bowl and Get Back, a lengthy ride of legit fall lines, short glades and open snow.

Snowbasin gets 20% to 30% less precipitation than do the resorts on the Salt Lake side of the Wasatch, like Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton, but the lack of crowds at this place make it a prime candidate on a big snow day when others are flocking to the usual suspects.