Solitude, UT To Implement New Parking Reservation System

Ian Greenwood
·1 min read
1

Another ski resort, Solitude, Utah, has joined the parking reservation party.

Today, the resort detailed its reservation plan, which will go into effect this winter season.

Here's the 411.

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From the post:

"In our continued commitment to improving the arrival experience for our guests, today we announce parking reservation details for this winter. From December 15 - April 14, reservations will be required for all vehicles arriving before 11:00 a.m. Friday – Sunday and during holiday periods. Cars with four or more people can park for free, but reservations will still be required. Reservations will become available before the opening of the season, with additional spaces released each Sunday for the upcoming weekend, and a small amount of spaces becoming available on the morning of."

Solitude explains the system further here.

These sorts of changes are typically divisive amongst skiers. Some are stoked to see resorts do something -- anything -- about overcrowding, whereas others view reservation systems as unnecessarily complicating the skier experience.

Here are a few takes from the comments section:

"I get that you're optimizing for tourists, who may not understand the need to or want to arrive before open, but, COME ON. The friction here is crazy. At least it's free at Brighton. But now I have to reserve AND pay at solitude? And when UTA is only running 2 busses an hour??"

"Nice work implementing the 4 plus incentive for carpooling. Maybe consider an incentive for 2 people and 3 as well?"

"Bruhh! just put a cap on capacity like deer valley."

"I understand implementing a reservation system, but why are there no incentives for groups of 2-3 carpoolers? Lots of people drive small hatchbacks or sedans and can't fit 4 people plus gear in their cars. What's the purpose of removing the incentive for them to carpool with as many people as they can?"

"Stoked to have less traffic in the canyon this winter!"

As for my take, I don't love the idea of having to pay or reserve ski resort parking -- I'm the type of guy who likes to have the option to decide at, say, 10 a.m., that I want to drive up to the hill and make a few laps. Reservations can get in the way of spontaneity, and paying to park would sting.

That said, I ski at a comparatively small hill that only really gets bonkers crazy busy when it snows a lot -- thus, a paid reservation system wouldn't make much sense.

Conversely, the parking and crowding situation at increasingly popular resorts like Solitude in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area needs to be addressed. I see Solitude's reservation system as a (hopefully successful and ultimately satisfying) attempt to get a handle on the crowds in Big Cottonwood Canyon, so good on them for making a step toward alleviating the problem. Skiing isn't only two-seater lifts and empty parking lots anymore -- resorts and skiers have to get with the times.

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