Everyone rides the gondola up to the lodge at the top of the mountain. The views during those 12 minutes up are spectacular. By the end of the night, you and your guests are the only ones at the top of the mountain (a dream).

I threw my own wedding at Needles Lodge at Snowbasin Resort. I’ve been to hundreds of weddings and seen hundreds of venues, but I choose Snowbasin because I truly believe it’s the best venue. Not going to lie, I continued to look at other venues even after booking my own (like a crazy person lol) but I never had any regret about booking Snowbasin because I’ve never seen a venue I like more.

For more information about why I love Snowbasin, please read my blog “Things to Consider When Choosing a Venue & Why We Chose Snowbasin”

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Seasonal Availability:

Snowbasin Resort hosts mountain weddings year round. Weddings during ski season cannot start before 5pm, after the ski day is over.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Location:

Snowbasin is an hour drive away from Salt Lake City. Out-of-state guests should fly into Salt Lake City International Airport. Earl’s Lodge is at the bottom of the ski lifts/gondola.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Wedding Cost:

Rental Fee Starts at $10,000. Includes the gondola, tables, chairs, linens, silverware.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Wedding Capacity:

650 Guests.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Ceremony Site:

There are 2 outdoor ceremony spaces – both are stunning. Needles Patio has string lights and a view of mountain cliffs. In my opinion, the light during ceremony times is usually better on this side of the building. Or you can get married on a pavilion on the other side of the building overlooking Ogden valley & a reservoir.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Reception Site:

The receptions are held indoors in a bright, contemporary space with large windows on multiple sides. The style is maximalist – gold chandeliers, patterned floors, etc. But still a ski lodge – wood, beams, etc. It’s a great canvas. Weather permitting, you can also use the outdoor patio for dancing.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Set Up Time:

Each site is booked for six hours with two hours of set up beforehand and one hour of tear down. Snowbasin provides, sets up, and cleans up all tables, chairs, linens, plates, etc. The only set up/clean up you need to do is additional table decor, floral, and signs.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Wedding Catering 

All food, dessert, and alcohol must be provided by Snowbasin, but their food is spectacular so that’s not problematic! You can choose a plated meal or buffet. Their bar is fully stocked and manned. Outside vendors are not permitted, except for cake.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Lodging

Snowbasin doesn’t have their own hotel, but there is lodging at nearby places. Wolf Creek Rentals and Lakeside Resort Properties both offer lodging 8 minutes away. When planning my own wedding, I played around with the idea of renting out all of Compass Rose Lodge (15 minutes away) which is a super cute hotel that sleeps 40 total. For my own wedding, I recommended guests stay in Salt Lake City because there’s more to do there than in Huntsville, Utah. Even though it was more a drive away.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Audio/Visual

Snowbasin recommends you hire Richie Steadman at Best DJ in Utah (and so do I!) but you are welcome to hire any DJ you’d like. I hired Richie & paid a fee for his service & all audio related equipment. This included microphones used by our officiant and toasters.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Vendor Flexibility

You have full flexibility to hire any vendor you’d like outside of food/alcohol.

If you get married at Needles Lodge, keep in mind that everything vendors bring has to be fit in a gondola in order to make it up the mountain. Snowbasin can talk with each vendor specifically if they think this may be problematic.

Needles Lodge, Snowbasin Venue Coordinator

Once booked, all communication with Snowbasin is done through their venue coordinator. I worked with Emma and Carrie – who are both absolutely stellar! She executed everything I discussed with her prior to the big day. And she helped me during the ceremony by cueing the next pairing down the aisle.

Needles Snowbasin Pet Policy

Unlike at Big and Little Cottonwood, pets are allowed at Snowbasin at times. However, there are restrictions to ask about.

Where to Reserve at Snowbasin/Get More Info

Fill out the contact form found on their website or email weddings@snowbasin.com or call (801) 620-1075.

Snowbasin Resort Website

Are you still searching for the perfect wedding venue in Utah? Sweet, you’re in luck. I’ve pulled together information and costs for multiple amazing Utah Venues here: Utah Wedding Venues