Big Cottonwood Canyon, the next major canyon north of Little Cottonwood, climbs from the city's eastern edge to the Brighton and Solitude ski resorts at the top — both excellent in winter, with Solitude tending toward gentler skiing and Brighton known for its terrain park and night skiing.
In summer the canyon offers easy access to high-altitude hiking. The Lake Blanche trail, a 7-mile out-and-back to a granite-rimmed alpine lake, is one of the most popular day-hikes from the city. Donut Falls, a short walk in the upper canyon, is a family-friendly cascade through a hole in a rock. Wildflowers peak in mid-July.