Alta Ski Area

★5.0
Alta Ski Area

Alta Ski Area
Jake Spurlock, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Legendary ski-only resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon offering deep powder, challenging terrain, and one of Utah’s longest ski seasons.

General Information

Hours:
Ski season: typically mid-November through mid-April
Lifts operate 9:15 AM – 4:30 PM daily
Check alta.com for current conditions and opening dates
Fees:
Adult lift ticket: varies by date and advance purchase (check alta.com for current pricing)
Senior (75+): Free
Children 12 and under: Free with a paying adult
Alta is ski-only — snowboarding is not permitted
Pet Policy:
Dogs and pets are not allowed at Alta Ski Area
Seasons:
Best visited mid-November through mid-April for skiing; summer access via hiking
Location:
10034 UT-210, Alta, UT 84092
Website:
alta.com

How to Get There

From Salt Lake City, take I-215 south to exit 6 (UT-190 / 6200 South), then head east through Big Cottonwood Canyon. Continue on UT-210 into Little Cottonwood Canyon — Alta Ski Area is at the top of the canyon, approximately 25 miles from downtown Salt Lake City.

Overview

Alta Ski Area is one of the most storied ski resorts in the American West, tucked at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. Renowned for its exceptional light powder snow and challenging terrain, Alta has been a destination for serious skiers since it opened in 1939. It remains one of only a handful of resorts in the United States that is ski-only — snowboarding is not permitted — preserving a traditional alpine atmosphere beloved by ski purists.

Alta receives an average of more than 500 inches of snowfall annually, making it one of the snowiest resorts in the country. The resort spans over 2,600 acres with 119 trails served by 14 lifts, offering terrain for all skill levels, though it is especially prized for its advanced and expert runs. Skiers can purchase tickets that also provide access to neighboring Snowbird via a joint lift pass. Whether you’re chasing powder stashes in the back bowls or warming up with hot cocoa in the historic Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge, Alta delivers an unmatched classic ski experience.

This article uses material from Wikipedia and official tourism pages for Alta Ski Area, which are released under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Baileypalblue, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
Baileypalblue, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
PalauanReich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
PalauanReich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
Intermountain Region US Forest Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted