Solitude Mountain Resort is changing with the times… literally. For the 2021/22 ski season, Solitude will offer an additional hour of lift service in the morning, then switch to an additional hour in the afternoon after daylight savings. This is a great idea because ski season is split between a time change. Early season is light in the morning and dark in the afternoon. But when our clocks spring forward in March, there’s an extra hour of sunlight in the evening. Here’s how Solitude’s lift hours will work:
Solitude Extends Lift Operating Hours
According to a Solitude press release, beginning in mid-December 2021, three chairlifts at Solitude Mountain Resort — Moonbeam Express, Apex Express, and Link —will open an hour earlier than usual, at 8:00 a.m., on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. This change will be implemented as soon as appropriate terrain is available, and no later than December 18, 2021. The rest of the mountain will open as usual at 9:00 a.m. on these days, subject to conditions.
Lift operations for the whole mountain will “spring ahead” with daylight saving time in mid-March, running from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day to take advantage of longer days and abundant spring skiing.
Anyone with a valid lift ticket or pass to access the lifts at Solitude will be able to take advantage of extended hours on the days when they occur. Applicable holidays are December 25, 2021-January 2, 2022, January 17, 2022, and February 21, 2022.
“We are always looking for ways to add value to our passholders, and we are thrilled to offer even more of Solitude this winter with 8:00 a.m. lifts on weekends and holidays,” says Solitude President & COO Amber Broadaway. “And then in March, when we spring forward, you’ll be able to ski and ride with us until 5:00 p.m. These enhanced operating hours are in keeping with what our locals want: more access to our amazing terrain.”
As part of the Ikon Pass First Tracks program, announced in April 2021, 21/22 Ikon Pass, Ikon Base Pass, Ikon Base Plus Pass, and Ikon Session Pass holders will be able to access Solitude’s slopes even earlier on one designated morning per month in January 2022 (7:30 a.m.), February 2022 (7:30 a.m.), and March 2022 (8:30 a.m.). Specific dates for Ikon Pass First Tracks at Solitude and other participating destinations will be announced no later than November 1, 2021.
Solitude is scheduled to open for winter operations on Friday, November 19, 2021, conditions permitting.
Why Extended Hours is a Good Thing
I personally love this idea, especially with Solitude being open longer in the spring. I’ve always been bummed in March and April to have to go home when there is plenty of daylight left to make turns. So it totally makes sense to have the mountain open longer after daylight savings.
As for being open an hour earlier on weekends and holidays, I’m curious if this will spread out weekend traffic up Big Cottonwood Canyon. If Brighton still opens at 9am, then it would be interesting to see if Solitude skiers will help mitigate traffic woes by getting to their slopes an hour earlier.
What are your thoughts about Solitude’s extended hours announcement?
As always, go to solitudemountain.com for more.