Location: Head east up Logan Canyon toward Bear Lake, along U.S. Highway 89. The entrance to the resort is 27 miles from the mouth of the canyon. Coming from Bear Lake, the resort entrance is 14 miles.
Lifts: Three lifts, all double chairs, along with two paddle tows, one used for tubing.
Base: 7,200 feet.
Peak: 8,800 feet.
Skiable area: 464 acres — 26 runs with 35 percent beginner, 40 percent intermediate and 25 percent advanced.
Lift passes:
All-day $25
Half-day $20
Children $20
What it's known for: Probably the fact that it isn't well known. This is a small, family-run ski area that has the distinction of being the second oldest resort area in Utah, second only to Alta. Beaver opened in 1936. The Seeholzer family took over ownership in 1939, and the rest is history. Being a smaller resort, good old down-home friendliness is one of its greatest assets. The area was also one of the first to allow snowboarders. In fact, Ted Seeholzer remembers a time in the early days when new boarders had to be certified before they could buy a ticket. Along those lines, the area is also recognized for its snowboard terrain park, which has become one of the more popular features at the resort. It's also a resort parents don't have to worry about kids getting lost because all trails lead to the bottom.
A skier hits the powder at Beaver Mountain with Logan Canyon in the background.
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News |
If you go: The locals have discovered that the backside of the mountain can be accessed from the Dream Lift. When conditions are right, this area offers some of the best powder skiing in the state. Skiers either hitch a ride back or have a companion pick them up and return them to the resort. And, while the resort offers night skiing on a regular basis, most nights are by invitation only. Individuals and groups can actually rent the resort for a night-skiing party, whether it be one person or several hundred. Call early, however, because nights have been booked solid for the past six years, and currently there's a waiting list for the rest of the season. The area has also introduced a tubing hill, which is open Friday evenings, Saturday both day and night, and Sunday during the day.
Best kept secret: Here, again, it's probably the fact that most Utahns haven't heard about or skied Beaver Mountain. But, over the years, people have discovered the unique blend of good skiing, friendliness and relative obscurity and now return year after year.
For more information check out the resort's Web site at www.skithebeav.com.
