Utah Skiing Introduction Utah Ski Resorts Visiting Before/During/After the Games Adaptive Skiing Links Salt Lake 2002 Olympics Venues Schedule Paralympics 2002 Official Site Tickets For anyone brought up on Warren Miller films, the word Utah is synonymous with skiing. The state boasts some of the sport's most famous resorts: Alta, Park City, Snowbird. Locals are so convinced that Utah has the Greatest Snow in the World, they've even trademarked the phrase.

Yet the state sees remarkably few international visitors compared, say, to Colorado. Why is this?

The answer seems to lie in two misconceptions. First, that it's difficult to get to from Europe; and second, that it's a dry state where a little apres-ski tipple is at best frowned-on and at worst illegal. While there is some truth in the first concern, the second is without foundation.

Where you can fly directly from Heathrow, Gatwick and mainland European airports to Denver, direct flights to Salt Lake City are far fewer. For many that extra stopover in Cincinatti or Houston makes the trip too long for a week's holiday. There is more varied skiing in the resorts around Park City than in Whistler Blackcomb, and more reliable weather too. And with a total door-to-door travel time of 14 hours from London to Park City, is the travel time so much different?

As for that apres-ski drink, here's how it works. Your hotel will have a bar. Your restaurant will serve drinks. If you visit a pub or bar, you have to become a member, but the cost will be deducted from your drinks. The only rule seems to be that you can't have two drinks on the go at once - so everyone has to down their drinks before you can get new round in. Oh, and public drunkenness is not viewed as cool or amusing.

Utah has 14 downhill skiing resorts. Probably most famous is Park City, actually an old mining town with three world-class ski areas within a 7-mile drive: the Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort. The Canyons is expanding rapidly, now the five largest resorts in the USA by skiable ara; Deer valley combines some challenging "chutes" with perfectly-groomed corduroy; Park City Mountain Resort itself boasts the world's biggest concentration of six-seater chairs.

Alta and Snowbird are both in the Little Cottonwood Canyon. Alta, open 62 years now, reminds American skiers of the more romantic days of skiing and is a firm favourite of local powderhounds. Snowbird is more modern, with the state's largest aerial tram, carrying 125 passengers up to the 11,000 foot Hidden Peak in under 10 minutes. Snowbird's vision, according to its Chairman (climber Dick Bass) is "a place dedicated to increasing human understanding through the enhancement of body, mind and spirit". Whatever that means, the slopes rip and the Cliff lodge houses the world's largest collection of Oriental Rugs.

Big Cottonwood Canyon, with its scenic access road past dramatic rock formations, houses Solitude and Brighton resorts. Brighton's rolling terrain makes it a favourite of families and snowboarders, while Solitude has a more European feel, with elegant hotels and restaurants at the resort base.

Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley are about an hour's drive north of Salt Lake City. Powder mountain's incredible snowfall figures (averaging 500 inches a year) usually make it the first Utah resort to open its lifts each year. Snowbasin, first skied in the 1940s, is being transformed by the Olympics from a sleepy locals' hill to an international standard ski area. Nordic Valley is a quieter place with great snow, no crowds and no frills.

Even further north, about two-and-a-half hours drive, is Beaver Mountain, a pristine setting with no modern fussing.

Southern Utah's red rock country is the setting for two of Utah's most dramatic resorts: Brian Head and Elk Meadows. The unique desert terrain and ultra-dry snow make for memorable landscapes. Brian Head claims Utah's highest skiable peak at 11,307 feet, while Elk Meadows high alpine terrain makes a striking contrast to the nearby desert and is favoured by families. The resorts are just three hours drive from Las Vegas's McCarren International Airport.

For first time visitors, the best idea is to rent a car and split your holiday between a few centers. That way you'll be able to find the resort that best suits your skiing, your pocket and your style - there really is a great variety. Make sure you set aside 10 days to make sure you get over any jet-lag and have time to check out at least 5 ski areas.

Start in Deer Valley or the Canyons, where the skiing is great and the living quiet. After a few days, you'll be ready for something a bit more lively, so move into Park City and ski its great areas. Then branch out for a few days of something different in Snowbird, Alta or Sundance.

Finally worth mentioning is the Ski Utah Interconnect Adventure Tour. You'll ski Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude and Park City Mountain Resort, all in one day. Feeling weak at the knees yet?