Salt Lake City Walking Tour
Temple Square, Pioneer Park and the stories behind them, on foot, in three hours.
3 hours
From
$44 per adult
Snowbird Summer Excursion Day Tour
Tram to 11,000 feet, a guided hike back down, day pass and lunch in the price.
- 6 hours
- Hotel pickup included
- Instant online booking
The Snowbird Summer Excursion Day Tour offers an immersive and scenic adventure perfect for nature enthusiasts and hikers. This six-hour tour departs from downtown Salt Lake City and begins with a beautiful drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Snowbird, where you can enjoy the breathtaking tram ride to the mountain peak. After enjoying the stunning views and ample photo opportunities at the top, you'll embark on a gorgeous hike (multiple options available) full of incredible vistas. Guides ensure a safe and enjoyable trek, providing essential tips on attire and preparation for the high-altitude hike. The tour includes van transportation from downtown Salt Lake City to Snowbird and back, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish, and concludes with a return to downtown Salt Lake City by mid-afternoon. This excursion is tailored for those seeking both adventure and relaxation amidst the natural beauty of Snowbird. Lunch is included every day, served at The Summit, Utah's highest restaurant, at 11,000 feet at the top of the tram.
Your day, hour by hour
Tour Details9:00 AM
9:00 AM
to 9:30 AM Hotel pick-ups
9:30 AM
Depart for scenic drive to Snowbird Resort
10:00 AM
Temple Quarry Walk
10:35 AM
Arrive at Snowbird Resort
10:45 AM
Line up for tram
11:05 AM
Arrive at the top of the gondola
Noon
Begin hike. Choose from a variety of options: Cirque Trail: Breathtaking views await you on this moderately strenuous trail. While the cliff sides may be daunting for novice hikers, the reward is well worth the climb. Please note that the descent can be steep and slippery, making it challenging for those new to hiking or who are out of shape. Wildflower to the Ski Tunnel: Easier hike that ends at the Peruvian ski lift with options to take the lift down or take the Peruvian Gulch/service road trails down to the base. Mt. Baldy: A great option for less experienced hikers. Enjoy the scenery and then ride the Peruvian ski lift down for a more leisurely return. Peruvian Gulch/service road: The service road offers a less challenging alternative. While it doesn't provide the same breathtaking views, it's a good option for those who want a more leisurely descent after enjoying the mountain top. In lieu of hike, there is an option to ride tram down and participate in other activities: mountain coaster, alpine slide, climbing wall, etc.
2:00 PM
Finish hike (or other activities) and depart in the van
3:00 PM
Arrive in downtown Salt Lake City
What’s included
- Professional Local Tour Guide
- Comfortable Transportation
- Bottled Water
- Applicable Taxes, Fees and Snowbird Day Pass (tram ticket, slide, mountain coaster, etc.)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
The hikes, and how to pick the right one
You choose your route at the top with the guide, having seen the terrain rather than a description of it. That is deliberate. People routinely over- or under-estimate what 11,000 feet does to them.
Cirque Trail
Moderately strenuous, and the reason most people come. It runs the high ground, and the views are the reason to do it. The catch: the descent is steep and loose in places and the exposure bothers some people. If you’re a confident hiker, take it. If you aren’t sure, don’t.
Wildflower Trail to the Ski Tunnel
The easy option with the best flowers, ending at the Peruvian lift where you can ride down or carry on to the base on the Peruvian Gulch trail. In July and early August this is a very good trail for anyone who likes plants.
Mt. Baldy
The gentle scenic choice, finishing on the Peruvian lift for a leisurely ride down. Good for less experienced walkers who still want to say they walked.
Peruvian Gulch / service road
The least demanding way down, no scrambling, no exposure. Fewer big views, but a real option for anyone who is uncertain about their knees.
Or none of the above
Ride the tram back down and spend the time on the included day pass. The mountain coaster and the alpine slide are the two things children ask for and both are covered.
What to wear: this one has real requirements
More than any other tour on our list, what you wear here changes whether you enjoy the day. You’re going from 4,300 feet to 11,000 feet in ninety minutes.
- Footwear
- Not negotiable on this one. Trail shoes or hiking boots with grip. Sneakers will do on the service road and nothing else; sandals are unusable. If you turn up in flip-flops your guide will steer you to the tram-down option, which is a shame when you’ve paid for a hike.
- Layers
- It can be 95°F in the valley and 60°F on Hidden Peak with wind. A warm layer and a windproof shell fit in a small pack and you’ll use both.
- Sun protection
- More serious at altitude than at sea level: high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- Water
- Bottled water is provided, and you should still bring your own bottle. Altitude dehydrates you quickly and it’s the main reason people feel unwell on this trip. Drink more than you want to, starting on the drive up.
A small daypack to carry all of that, and that is it. Trekking poles help on the Cirque descent if you use them.
Timings and drive
Snowbird is 29 miles from downtown Salt Lake City, about 45 minutes, out through the valley and then up Little Cottonwood Canyon, which is a steep, spectacular, narrow road. Watch for climbers on the granite walls on the way up; this canyon is a world-class bouldering and trad climbing area.
Hotel pickups run 9:00 to 9:30 AM, with a stop at the Temple Quarry walk at 10:00 and arrival at Snowbird at 10:35, in line for the tram at 10:45 and top of the mountain at about 11:05. Hiking or activities from around noon until 2:00 PM, then the van down and back into downtown Salt Lake City by 3:00 PM.
Lunch is included, which is unusual on our half-day tours, and it is served at The Summit — 11,000 feet up at the top of the tram, the highest restaurant in Utah, with a view to match. That holds every day of the week, so there is no better or worse date to book for it.
Photos
Before you book
- Enjoy a more personal experience with our small-group tours (minimum of two guests required)
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- English, Spanish, Dutch, German, and French
Snowbird Summer Excursion Day Tour: your questions answered
How high is the Snowbird tram and how long does it take?
The aerial tram climbs about 2,900 vertical feet from the Snowbird base to Hidden Peak at roughly 11,000 feet, in about ten minutes. Your tram ticket is included in the tour price as part of the Snowbird day pass.
Do I have to hike?
No. The hike is the default and there are four routes ranging from an easy service road to the moderately strenuous Cirque Trail. If you’d rather not walk, ride the tram back down and use the included day pass on the mountain coaster, alpine slide, climbing wall and ropes course instead. Lunch is included either way.
How hard is the Cirque Trail?
Moderately strenuous, with the best views on the mountain and a descent that’s steep and can be loose. It is a poor choice for anyone new to hiking or uncomfortable with exposure. Your guide will talk you through the options at the top, having seen the conditions on the day, and there’s no pressure to take the hardest line.
Will the altitude affect me?
Possibly. Hidden Peak is at 11,000 feet, where there’s roughly a third less oxygen than at sea level, and shortness of breath, mild headache or fatigue are common in visitors who arrived in Utah recently. Drink plenty of water starting on the drive up, take the ascent gently, and tell your guide if you feel unwell. If you have a heart or lung condition, check with your doctor first.
Is lunch really included?
Yes, and it’s one of the few tours on this list where it is. Every departure eats at The Summit at the top of the tram, the highest restaurant in Utah, at 11,000 feet. Bottled water, the day pass, transport, guide and taxes are all in the price as well.
What months does this tour run?
Summer only, roughly late May to early October, depending on when the snow clears the high trails and the tram opens to Hidden Peak. July and August are peak, with the wildflowers best in late July. September is quieter and often the most reliable weather.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Little Cottonwood Canyon is a protected drinking-water watershed and dogs are prohibited throughout it, including in vehicles. This surprises a lot of visitors, so it’s worth planning around.
What if there’s a thunderstorm?
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in Utah summers and the tram closes in lightning. Your guide will shorten, reroute or substitute activities as conditions require. An exposed ridge in a storm isn’t somewhere anyone is going. If a departure has to be canceled outright we’ll rebook or refund it.
Pair this with
The tours our guides most often suggest alongside this one, and why.
Park City & Olympic Heritage Excursion
The gentler mountain day: 7,000 feet, no hiking, and a historic Main Street.
Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island
Sea level and wildlife, if the altitude here is more than your group wants.
Salt Lake Antelope Island Dark Sky Experience
Back downtown by 3:00 PM, which leaves the whole evening free for stargazing.
Still have a question about the Snowbird Summer Excursion Day Tour?
Ask us anything the FAQ above did not cover: pickup points, fitness level, what to wear in November. We answer within one business day.
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