Alta ski area is located in Wasatch Mountains (western edge of the Rockies) in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah in the United States. Alta is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States that was first opened way back in 1939. Alta is one of the last three skiing resorts in the USA that prohibit snowboarders. The Alta Historical Society works towards the preservation of Alta’s rich history besides making it one of the world’s finest skiing destinations. Alta is known for its ash-light snow, commonly referred to as ‘powder’ snow. Nearest city is Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah.

History:

Alta was set up in 1871 as an offshoot of silver mining operations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The town was badly damaged by fire followed by avalanche in the late 19th century. The mining activities here too declined and in the early 20th century, the place was mostly left deserted. In 1935, the US Forest Service Department reined in noted skier Alf Engen to ski in the area to determine its potential as a future ski area. In 1937, Joe Quinney, a lawyer of Salt Lake along with other local businessmen, formed Utah Winter Sports Association to supervise the development of snow sporting at Alta. Construction soon began on the chairlifts and Alta was first opened in January 1939.

Climate:

Situated at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon just about 30 miles from the Great Salt Lake, Alta ski resort experiences a unique micro climate marked by high volume and low moisture snowfalls.

Skiing at Alta:

Alta has a skiable area of 2,200 acres. The resort has a base eleva

tion

of 2,600 metres and peak elevation of 3,216 metres with a vertical gain of 616 metres. Alta receives an annual average snowfall of 514 inches.

The Alta ski resort has 116 runs of which the majority belongs to the advanced skiers and least for the beginners. There are also 7 chairlifts that include 2 hi-speed quads, 1 hi-speed triple, 1 fixed triple and 3 fixed doubles. Besides, there are 5 surface tows. There is no snowmaking arrangement at this resort neither there is any provision for night skiing.

Alta ski area comprises long, straight and fall-line pitches, namely, High Rustler, Eddies High Nowhere, Stone Crusher and Baldy Chutes among others.

A variety of awesome terrain and snow conditions at Alta give skiing opportunities to every level of skier. Alta has even teamed up with Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort to enable skiers to have access to double the terrain.

Activities/attractions at Alta:

• Ski With the Girls:
  This helps early intermediate to learn skiing with help of accomplished skiers, to assemble and ski in a joyful environment. Ski With the Girls meets every Tuesday at 10am at Baldy Brews on the snow level of Watson Shelter.
• Recreational racing:
  Organised on Fridays and Saturdays. It is open for all.
• Alta Performance Ski Camp
• Deseret News Ski School (Learning to ski)
• Teen Freeride Camp:
  Christmas and Presidents Day Weeks
• Alta Lodge’s Powder Tracks Programme
• Kim Reichhelm’s Steep Skiing Camp
• Ski to Live
• Team Alta Youth Programmes
• Child care:
  Alta Children’s Center caters to the children in the best possible manner. The center is located on the slopes of Alta Ski Resort.

Reaching Alta:

• By air:
  Alta can be accessed from Salt Lake City International Airport. Thirteen air carriers including American, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue and others operate from this airport. State Highway 210 connects the airport with Alta.
• By road:
  Alta can also be reached from Salt lake City

Alta Accommodation Utah:

• Alta’s Rustler Lodge
• Alta Lodge

• Alta’s Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge
• Alta’s Luxury Condos and Homes by Canyon Services
• Alta Peruvian Lodge
• Alta Chalets
• Alta Blackjack Condominiums
• Hellgate Condominiums
• Alta’s Snowpine Lodge