Alta - Ski resort guides - Winter sports

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Alta, USA

In the mountains of Utah sits the renowned ski resort of Alta. Snowboarders should steer clear, for Alta is for skiers only!

Skiing

Deep powder snow, inexpensive lift tickets, proximity to Salt Lake City and beautiful scenery make this a popular spot, with the added benefit of all-level terrain catering to beginners and advanced skiiers.

Located at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in northern Utah, Alta offers 2,200 acres of terrain and 116 runs serviced by a range of lifts including detachable quad chairs, surface tows and a moving conveyor. The resort starts at a base elevation of 2600m, rising to 3216m for a vertical gain of 617m.

Although popular with beginners and intermediates (40% intermediate slopes, 25% beginners) especially in the wonderful powder of the Albion Basin, it also offers an impressive 35% of slopes for the advanced, including the legendary High Rustler. There are groomed runs off every lift as well as 15km of groomed Nordic Track. You can also buy a joint lift pass and enjoy skiing (and boarding) on neighbouring Snowbird mountain.

Resort facilities at Alta are top-notch including the Alf Engen ski school for group and private lessons and two ski-in/ski-out restaurants. In the 2006-07 season, you will also be able to enjoy free skiing after 3pm every day from the Sunnyside lift which offers access to the long, beginner slopes in the Albion Basin and some shorter, more challenging trails through the trees.

Other activities

Because Alta is very much geared to skiers, there are fewer non-skiing activities than usual. However among them are snowcat skiing in Grizzly Gulch, helicopter skiing, guided climbing and backcountry skiing courses and relaxing spa retreats like the Alta Day Spa.

When to go

Receiving over 12.7m of snow each year, Alta definitely delivers when it comes to snow and enjoys a long season from approximately mid-November to mid-April.

The resort

If you're after après ski, Alta may not be your best bet. It's family-friendly with excellent childcare facilities, so classic après ski means a hearty meal and an early night.

But while bars don't technically exist in Utah, you'll find places displaying signs like "Private club for the benefit of its members", so just join up and think of the nominal (few dollars) fee as a cover charge. Spots for a bout of nocturnal drinking include the Alta Peruvian Lodge bar, Sitzmark Bar at the Alta Lodge, the Goldminer's Daughter Alpine Lounge and the Eagle's Nest Lounge at Alta's Rustler Lodge.

Dining is usually included in lodging costs, but lodge restaurants are usually open to all.