Name: Big Mountain Trail Mountain Bike Ride
Address: 9600 Little Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Sandy, UT, 84092

All photos by Outdoor Project Contributor, Brant Hansen

| **Pros:** Tram access. Long descent. Vistas. Flowy. **Cons:** None. **Congestion:** Moderate **Preferable Season(s):** Spring, Summer, Fall **Day-Use/Parking Pass Required:** Not Required **Dogs allowed?:** No | **Total Distance:** 8.20 mi (13.20 km) **Terrain Difficulty:** BLUE **Trailhead Elev.:** 10,960 ft (3,341 m) **Net Elev. Gain:** -2,965 ft (-904 m) **Trail Uses:** Biking **Trail type:** One-way/Shuttle |
| --- | --- |

Big Mountain Trail is a newer addition to the mountain bike trails at Snowbird resort. Although the trail is accessible by climbing a number of fire roads or other trails, Snowbird’s tram makes those options seem more like punishment than anything else. This gorgeous, fast, flowy, endless descent is suited for nearly any mountain bike. The views from the top are breathtaking, and the scenery as you descend will leave you in awe. The work Snowbird has put into the trail becomes immediately apparent with rollers on the straightaways and well built ladders over the marshy areas. You'll also encounter the occasional natural, but mellow, rock garden.

Big Mountain Trail Mountain Bike Ride

Salt Lake is where mountain adventure meets city amenities. The towering Wasatch Mountains embrace the Salt Lake Valley and provide a dramatic backdrop to our vibrant, active, urban environment. Hike to dramatic waterfalls or alpine lakes, then refresh with award-winning cuisine. Explore the Great Salt Lake, then rock the night away to music that suits your specific tastes -- whether that's jazz, pop, symphony, or anything in-between. Race down snow covered slopes and then apres with local craft brews. How you spend your time in Salt Lake is as unique as you.

Visit Salt Lake

Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

Sports Salt Lake

The Forklift features a casual, family dining atmosphere and serves a la carte breakfast and lunch entrées, year-round. Beer, wine and cocktails are served. During the winter, an apres-ski menu is offered.

The Forklift Restaurant

Located on the first floor of the Snowbird Center, General Gritts is your one-stop shop for all Snowbird adventures. General Gritts opens early and stays open late in order to accommodate daily visitors and guests overnighting in resort lodging. The grocery section of General Gritts has cold drinks, frozen foods, grab-and-go snacks, and almost everything else in between. Toiletries and medicinal products are also for sale at General Gritts in case you are in need of essentials while vacationing at Snowbird. General Gritts has a full service deli which operates during the breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. General Gritts also operate a state of Utah liquor store, allowing for easy shopping of wine and spirits. The courteous staff at General Gritts are also a great resource for mountain information, ski terrain recommendations, and off-the-map secret powder stashes on those magical pow days at Snowbird.

General Gritts

**Wasatch Adaptive Sports empowers people with disabilities to improve their physical, mental, and social well-being through outdoor recreation.**

Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 with a mission to provide affordable recreational opportunities, including skiing, biking, and more, for children and adults with disabilities. At WAS, we believe in inclusivity and ensure that no one is turned away. WAS offers full and partial scholarships, requires no upfront fees, and strives to make participation in their programs possible for everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.

Wasatch Adaptive Sports

The Steak Pit serves only the best prime and Wagyu steaks and seafood items, cooked to perfection and served in a rustic steak house setting with great mountain views. An extensive beer, wine and spirits list complements a menu that caters to every taste. Open daily, year-round.

The Steak Pit

From the very beginning in 1971, Snowbird has offered a powder and summer paradise, along with an escape from the hustle below. Snowbird's newest dining experience is a throwback to those early roots. SeventyOne features American grill favorites, an open kitchen and a retro vibe. Take in the expansive mountain views while you enjoy a relaxing meal or quick drink at the bar. Prepare yourselves for a new flavor at Snowbird with a sophisticated, '70s twist on comfort food and contemporary American fare. SeventyOne Offerings Breakfast: 7 - 10:30 am, Saturday & Sunday Lunch: 11 am - 4 pm, Daily Dinner: 4 - 9 pm, Daily Lounge\*: 11 am - 10 pm, Daily Online Ordering: 11 am - 9 pm, Daily

SeventyOne

The Lodge Bistro is an intimate restaurant serving elegant American cuisine with a French twist along with an impressive selection of wines. Sandwiches, salads, specialty burgers and a great selection of appetizers accompany the extensive beer, wine and liquor menu in The Lounge. Patio dining is available in the summer.

The Lodge Bistro and Lounge

29 miles from SLC Airport, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is North America's most accessible year-round resort and conference center. Celebrating the longest ski season in Utah, Snowbird also offers a variety of summer activities. Snowbird’s only ski-out, ski-in accessibility, The Cliff Lodge, is the flagship of the lodging properties at Snowbird.

Snowbird Resort and Conference Center provides mountainside meeting facilities, lodging, recreation and dining only 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport. 50,000 square feet of meeting facilities and over 800 luxurious rooms accommodate groups of 12 to 1,200.

#### Included in the Salt Lake Connect Attractions Pass

Connect Pass Attraction - Includes one Scenic Foot Passenger Tram Ride.



#### Included in the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

[Learn more about the Super Pass](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/super-pass/)

Snowbird

Re-opening in the 2025-26 winter season, the new mid-mountain restaurant features sweeping views of Gad Valley and an expansive patio for outdoor seating. Located at the top of the Mid-Gad chairlift, the space features 355 indoor seats and an additional 90 patio seats—all on a single level. At The Nest, guests will find a range of American and internationally influenced cuisine served buffet style.

The Nest at Snowbird

The Summit is Snowbird’s newest year-round guest facility located atop Hidden Peak at 11,000 feet. Just a few steps from the Aerial Tram, The Summit is accessible for any tram passenger whether on foot, skis, bikes or boards. Once inside The Summit, guests can choose to dine on either of the two levels, each providing different views of the surrounding Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The food at The Summit is just about as pure as the wind-driven snow for which Snowbird is famous. You won’t find any hot dogs, hamburgers or fries at The Summit. Instead, Executive Chef Shane Baird has built a menu of healthy organic dishes based in French rotisserie traditions with subtle hints gleaned from the secret recipes of a Rocky Mountain barbeque pitmaster. Open for snacks, beverages and lunch, The Summit also has a full selection of local microbrews that add to a uniquely Utah dining experience.

The Summit At Snowbird

Join local guides on trails in and around Snowbird to step into the mountains. A variety of options are available including group hikes (3-4 miles), private tours (4-10 miles based on your preference), and Wellness Wednesdays (1-2 miles focused on mindfulness). Advanced reservations are required for all guided hikes. We recommend bringing a long-sleeved layer, a hat, good hiking or athletic shoes, sunscreen and a backpack with a bottle of water and snacks.

Guided Hikes at Snowbird

The Cliff Lodge's slope-side restaurant serves gourmet coffees, pastries, breakfast and lunch, year-round. The Atrium offers a continental breakfast, espresso bar and lunch daily throughout the winter season and a breakfast buffet and Sunday brunch in the summer. Enjoy the new custom omelet and Belgian Liège waffle bars from Thu-Sun at breakfast and a delicious pasta bar, Thu-Sun, for lunch. 7 am - 10:30 am, 11 am - 3 pm Mon - Sun.

Big Mountain Trail Mountain Bike Ride

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