Alta (Utah)

Alta is a small town at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County, part of the Wasatch Range region of Utah.

Understand

Home to Alta Ski Resort and legendary Utah powder.

Alta is a small town on the outskirts of Salt Lake City. It is primarily a ski resort at which snowboarding is prohibited. The resort is for both local skiers and avid outsiders wanting to enjoy the mountain.

While Alta exists only as a ski resort today, the town has an interesting history. It was a mining town in the 1800s to 1900s. The first verified silver claim in Alta was staked in 1865. In 1937, the mayor of Alta gave acres of surface rights to the U.S. Forest Service for development of a ski area. Norwegian skiing legend Alf Engen was hired to help develop the area, and Alta opened its first ski lift in 1938. The first Collins lift was constructed in 1938 out of pieces of old aerial mining tram. As home to the second chairlift in US history, Alta played a major role in the creation of the modern day ski resort model. Skiing remains the main industry in the town.

In addition, Alta keeps up with the modern times, and is going green. The Alta Environmental Center states its primary goal is to strive for sustainability and to continuously investigate viable ways to decrease Alta Ski Area's carbon while maintaining a healthy business.

Get in

Alta is 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

By car

State Highway 210 brings you to Alta. The nearest interstates are 15, 80, and 215. There is only one road in and out of the valley. Storms or avalanches may shut down the one road leading up the canyon and it is possible you may be unable to leave until the conditions clear.

By plane

It is a 45-minute drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport, with direct flights from most major cities.

Shuttles from the airport:

• Alta Shuttle [phone]
• Canyon Transportation [phone]
• Quicksilver [phone]
• Resort Transportation [phone]
• Ted's Transportation [phone]
• Tri M Transportation [phone]
• Ute Cab Company [phone]
• Wasatch Mountain Service [phone]
• Wave Transportation [phone]
• Yellow Cab [phone]

Get around

Overnight parking in Alta is limited. Avalanche and watershed restrictions prohibit overnight camping and dogs. If you are staying in Alta it is not necessary to have a car. Most lodges and condominiums are slope-side or provide transportation. For day trips, there are two parking lots at the Albion and Wildcat bases.

There are times when Little Cottonwood Canyon Road, State Highway 210, may be restricted to travel due to avalanches, storms, or other reasons. AM 530 has up-to-date road information and canyon activities. It is required by state law that you carry chains in your vehicle or have snow tires on the vehicle from November 1st through May 1st.

Between Alta and Snowbird

• Alta Bypass Shuttle: Free. From 8:30 to 11AM the free white bypass shuttle bus makes a continuous loop past Blackjack Condos, The View, Powder Ridge, Superior Point, The bypass Houses, upper and lower Sugarplum Village, Collins Ticket Office and Wildcat Ticket Office. The free white bypass shuttle sits at the bottom of the Collins chair from 3 to 5PM and returns skiers immediately to their condominiums or houses.
• Public Transportation (UTA): Free Zone. Utah Transit Authority operates a ski bus route from many locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The UTA ski buses transport skiers and gear. Because of convenient schedule times, skiers can enjoy a full day, morning, or afternoon half-day of skiing.
• Alta Shuttle [phone]
• Canyon Transportation [phone]
• Ted's Transportation [phone]
• Tri M Transportation [phone]

See

• Wasatch forest; The Uinta portion of the Forest, established in 1897, was the first National Forest in Utah. The Wasatch National Forest was established in 1906 and the Cache National Forest in 1907 to protect valuable resources. Timber, water, forage, wildlife and fisheries, oil and gas, and recreational opportunities are all found in these mountains and are managed by the Forest Service to ensure sustained ecosystem health.

Do

The main attraction of Alta is the quality skiing, not the night life. Thus, there is little to do but ski, eat, drink, and sleep. The mountain is for skiers only. Snowboarders may enjoy Snowbird, a resort less than a ten-minute drive down the valley with much the same quality snow.

There are trails for skiers of all levels, from beginner to die-hard. Lessons, rentals, demos, and tours are available.

Buy

• Alta Demo Center at Alf's. 
• Alta Ski Shop and Demo Center. 
• Alta Sports. 
• Alta Peruvian Lodge. 
• Deep Powder House, ☎ [phone]. The original Deep Powder House is next to the Alta Lodge mid-way between Wildcat Base and Albion Base. This shop is the main boot-fitting location and is home to Masterfit Certified custom boot-fitting professionals. The Deep Powder House offers a full selection of demo and high-performance rental equipment, and a complete line of clothing, outerwear and accessories. 
• Motherlode Powder House, ☎ [phone]. The Motherlode Powder House is located adjacent to the Wildcat Base and Alta's main parking area in the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge. The Motherlode is convenient to the Collins and Wildcat Lifts. A large fleet of high-performance rental and children's equipment, appropriate for all ages and ability levels, are available here. The Motherlode is a drop-off for the Powder House Ski Shops's repair shop and offers access to Masterfit Certified boot-fitting professionals. The Motherlode has a large collection of Alta logo T-shirts, hats, fleece and accessories. 
• Rustler Powder House, ☎ [phone]. The Rustler Powder House is in the Rustler Lodge on the dining room level. A full selection of demo, high-performance rental and children's rental equipment is available here. This location is a drop off point for the Powder House Ski Shops's repair shop and offers access to Masterfit Certified boot-fitting professionals. The Rustler Powder House offers a full line of outerwear, clothing and accessories. 
• Snowpine Lodge. 

Eat

Mid-Mountain

• Alf's Restaurant. 
• Collins Grill. 
• Watson Shelter. 
• Baldy Brews. 

Base

• Albion Grill. 
• Alta Java. 
• Alta Lodge. 
• Goldminer's Daughter. 
• Rustler Lodge. 
• Shallow Shaft. 
• Snowpine Lodge. 

Drink

• Alta Java. Stop here and pop off your skis for a nice cup of warmth on a cold day. 
• Alta Lodge. For a nice relaxing time after skiing or in the evening 
• Goldminer's Daughter. Great for a pitcher, nachos, or hot chocolate after a day of worthy skiing. 
• Baldy Brews. Located on the mountain in Watson Shelter. 
• Rustler Lodge. Evening bar for 21-and-ups. 

Sleep

There are five lodges to choose from in Alta, each tailored to the type of experience you want to have on your ski trip. (More $ = more expensive)

• Alta Lodge, P.O. Box 8040, ☎ [phone]. $$$. 
• Alta Peruvian Lodge, P.O. Box 8017, ☎ [phone]. $$. 
• Alta's Rustler Lodge, 10380 East Highway 210, ☎ [phone]. $$$$. 
• Goldminer's Daughter Lodge, P.O. Box 8055, ☎ [phone]. $$. 
• Snowpine Lodge, P.O. Box 8062, ☎ [phone]. $$. 

There are also condos and vacation homes to choose from in the area.

Connect

• General Information: [phone]
• Snow Report: [phone]
• Fax Number: [phone]

Mailing address

Alta Ski Area PO Box 8007 Alta, UT 84092 U.S.A

Go next

• Salt Lake City - Alta is a short drive from Salt Lake City, which offers a wider variety of events and attractions than will be found in the small ski town.