Best Transport from SLC to solitude

Hi All

Hoping for some advice. I am flying to SLC at 10am on a domestic flight. I see All resort and canyons are recommended transport. I am staying at the holiday inn Sandy am i better to go direct to Solitude via one of the above and get locker in Solitude for all my stuff and then go back to the hotel via the shuttle? Or am i better to goto the hotel first? Any better options than the $76 return to SLC?

How far is the shuttle from the holiday inn in Sandy?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Phil