ski salt lake city, utah (Willie Holdman/Index Stock)

In the winter of 2002, the world-skiing spotlight focused on the deep-powder slopes surrounding Salt Lake City, Utah. Since the Winter Games, the four resorts that hosted the Olympic action have not rested on their laurels, either. The sick terrain, deep powder, and excellent snow conditions are largely responsible—Salt Lake's resorts are anxious to get you on their slopes. However, rather that settling for one resort, make the Salt Lake region your launchpad for sampling the best of Utah's steep-and-deep reputation.

Of the four main resorts, Park City is arguably the most popular. Eighty-nine trails ranging from a quarter-mile to 3.5 miles in length snake through exceptionally dry powder down the mountain's 3,000-foot vertical drop. The top of the mountain is blessed with five open bowls that cover an additional 600 acres. And, the town at the mountain's base still basks in the glory of the Half Pipe competition, where U.S. boarders cluttered the podium. Indulge in your own nostalgic post-Games' celebration by dining and drinking at the many bars and restaurants.

Black-diamond dreamers, meanwhile, should head to Deer Valley. Ranked second in the country by the 2002 issue of Ski magazine, the resort is known for its impeccable grooming, service, and short lift lines. Although the ritzy reputation is not unwarranted, most visitors come to this four-mountain mecca for the powder, not the glitter. With 88 different trails, the longest stretching a full two miles, the resort was the obvious choice for the slalom, mogul, and aerial Olympic events.

Snowbasin Resort, home to the men and women's downhill and the Super-G competitions, will assuage all daredevil aspirations—and an average annual snowfall of 400 inches assures ideal conditions. If that isn't enough motivation, how do 64 listed runs, eight lifts, and a vertical drop of about 3,000 feet sound? Snowbasin even welcomes snowboarders on its slopes, whereas Park City and Deer Valley do not. The resort's longest trail is a quad-burning three miles with a 2,400-foot drop.

The Canyons is the new kid on the Olympic block. Formerly a small-scale local favorite, The Canyons now boasts eight peaks accessible by 16 lifts—welcome stats for those accustomed to long lines—and the highest vertical drop of the four Olympic resorts. The Canyons has also recently expanded its existing terrain park, boosting it to 18 acres, with 30 rails and box features. There are five distinct runs in the park, one for each skill level.

The four Olympic resorts are positioned in the mountains just outside Salt Lake City, along with Solitude, Brighton, and Alta—fantastic resorts in their own right. Lodging can be found anywhere in the region; find someplace central and sample the resorts to find the best place for your ability, crowd-tolerance level, and après-ski ambitions.

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