6 Insider Tips to Enjoying Snowbird's Oktoberfest

After over 50 years of Oktoberfest celebrations, we’ve learned a thing or two. To kick off another season of prosts, brats, brews and good times with friends, we've broken down 6 tips to navigate Oktoberfest like a pro. Grab your lederhosen or dirndl and prepare to polka your way from The Peak to the Plaza Deck.

1. First Things First 

Utah’s original Oktoberfest began in 1972, and we’ve been slinging brats and brews ever since. The festival runs from noon to 6 pm Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day through October 15, 2023. Admission is free; however, guests must pay $12 to park in Snowbird parking lots. 

From face painting and summer activities to live music, Oktoberfest at Snowbird is family-friendly, so bring your whole crew up to escape the heat in the valley and enjoy this long-standing cultural celebration. Every weekend of the festival has different events—make sure to check out the event calendar before heading up for the live music schedule, annual competition dates and more.

2. Secure Your Room 

There is no better way to experience Oktoberfest at Snowbird than staying amid it all. Soak in the fun all day, then soak in an incredible down-canyon sunset to top off your evening. Booking lodging before coming up to Oktoberfest not only gets you out of designated driver duty but also locks you in big savings on summer activities through Snowbird & Save .

True Oktoberfest aficionados know to go one step further with the Prost Package: lodging, a souvenir Oktoberfest mug and a $25 dining credit per room make staying at The Cliff Lodge a no-brainer.

3. Start Your Day Egg-cellently 

Snowbird’s Oktoberfest begins at noon, so make sure to start your day the right way with a decadent breakfast at SeventyOne. Before enjoying some brews on the mountain, treat yourself to treat yourself to SeventyOne's decadent all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet to fuel up before polkaing all afternoon. 

While enjoying your mountainside breakfast, you can make reservations for dinner at The Aerie, the Steak Pit or the Wildflower Restaurant. Restaurants can get busy on Oktoberfest evenings, so it’s better to be safe and plan ahead than to end up waiting for a table later on. You can make reservations online or by calling 801.933.2222. 

4. Skip The Wait & Save On Tickets

Between summer activities and Oktoberfest events, time flies all too quickly. Don’t waste it waiting in line at the ticket window. Instead, purchase tickets for Scenic Tram Rides or All-Day Activity Passes online and head to our Pick-Up Boxes, located on the Plaza Deck next to the ticket window, to retrieve them. Scan the barcode provided in your confirmation email for your tickets to dispense in seconds, then embark on adrenaline-pumping activities, like the ZipWhipper or Mountain Coaster, between brats. Plus, when you purchase in advance online, you're guaranteed the best price.

 

5. Plan Ahead

We have a few Oktoberfest hacks to make your experience as seamless and adventurous as possible:

• Have you been to Snowbird’s Oktoberfest before and already have a mug? Bring it! You can reuse any Snowbird Oktoberfest mug (even if it dates back to 1972) and get the refill price. Alternatively, you can buy a new one (the design changes every year) and get a collection started. Remember, this only applies to Snowbird Oktoberfest mugs. 
• The Alphorns at The Summit are a must-see! They play from 3 - 5 pm, so take the 2:20 or 2:40 pm Trams up. By going up early, you have time to grab a pretzel and another brew at The Summit before the music starts. Make sure to finish your beer before your ride because alcohol is not allowed on the Tram. 
• The games in the Oktoberfest Halle start at 1:40 pm for kids and 3:50 pm for adults. Join in on the fun by participating in yodeling and polka contests, or see if you can prove your strength and compete in the mug-holding competition. 
• The beer tents on the Skier’s Bridge and Dick Bass Terrace are little-known secrets. These tents usually aren’t as crowded, so you can grab a beer faster and make the most of your time at the festival.  

Ideal Schedule to Make The Most of Oktoberfest

• 10 am: Breakfast at SeventyOne
• Noon: Buy your commemorative mug and peruse the vendor marketplace
• 1 pm: Feast on brats or other Bavarian fares 
• 2:20 pm: Ride the new Tram rooftop balconies to The Summit
• 3 pm: Enjoy the Alphorns playing at the peak
• 3:30 pm: Ride the Tram down 
• 3:45 pm: Secure a table at the Oktoberfest Halle for the games
• 5 pm: Grab a spot on the lawn for music at the Chickadee Stage
• 6 pm: Relax in the hotel room before dinner 
• 8 pm: Dinner reservations at The Aerie

Then do it all over again the next day! 

Tip: Use the Oktoberfest Map to navigate around the festival grounds.

6. Get Home Safely

If you’re not joining us for down-canyon sunsets and dips in the pool as a lodging guest, we want to make sure you have a transportation option. Of course, we hope to see you carpooling with friends and choosing a designated driver if you plan on enjoying a beer; however, we always believe in having a plan b. Snowbird’s Free Ride Down program offers rides every 30 minutes from the Oktoberfest Arch to various Park & Ride locations. Rides are free and first-come, first-served.

We hope these insider tips help you to make the most of your trip to Snowbird’s Oktoberfest. Explore the resort on your own, get your face painted or end your day with a mellow hike on the Observation Point Trail. Endless amounts of activities await at The Bird, so grab some friends and make your way to the mountains for a weekend filled with polka, scenic views and all the brats your heart desires. 

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