Alta Ski Area

Had an Amazing Time @AltaSki Beautiful day! Lauren, L3 ski instructor, was awesome! The views are amazing!! Also many thanks to Colin and Cam @Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge, Mike @ Motherload Powder House Ski Shop, Connor, @ Goldminer’s Daughter Cafe, James @Goldminer’s Daughter Restaurant for helping to make my stay even more wonderful!

Want to share my Jan 1st Alta Adult Pass customer parking experience! Wasn’t able to redeem my pass code for 2 weeks in Alta parking reservation app and as I was told one week ago by Alta Parking Manager that Alta has 90 extra spaces for reservation and I can go to Office ticket window and ask them if they can open one spot for me as parking lot was 1/3 full only. I went lol, but was told by Ofiice Ticket manager that they all sold out and only have 90 extra spots for people who don’t know about the parking reservation. Good respect to Adult season pass holders lol Thank you and what I can say Happy New Year lol. So I went back to my truck and was trying to talk to parking manager but this time the same guy told me that I can’t redeem my free pass anymore and owners of the parking in Alta is manager from Office ticket LOL good timing on Jan 1st. I went back and purchased a $25 ticket. Waist 45 mins of my skiing lol. It was 10 am. At 12:15pm I was driving back and parking lot was barely 50% full. So I feel a bit unhappy on a happy new year day. LOL Is it any chance Alta Parking management can be improved together with the application for parking? Or they forcing Adult Season pass holders like all my family to move to Snowbird or Snowbasin or Park City where the quality of parking and customer support and satisfaction is very high! If Yes, then they are on a right track!

Very good snow even on a poor snow year Great variety of runs. Also great trip to Dinofest at Natural History Museum in Salt Lake City

I love skiing in Alta. Already knowing the slopes makes it more enjoyable, and the staff are friendly.

Had a great time at Alta! You have to have parking reservations on fri- sun, but they were relatively easy to get online. We couldn't get friend's and family lift ticket online, but there was no wait when we got there and the staff was helpful and nice. Runs were good and lift lines quick - nice to see so many groomed runs available. We ate at Alfs restaurant for lunch - good options and variety.

Alta Ski Resort is one of my absolute favorite places to ski, and the drive up to the resort is part of what makes it so special. The road leading up to Little Cottonwood Canyon is a stunning journey, with towering mountain peaks, snowy landscapes, and breathtaking views around every turn. It’s definitely worth the drive, even before you get to the resort. The beauty of the canyon itself is incredible and sets the tone for the amazing skiing experience that follows. When you finally arrive at Alta, the snow quality is unbeatable. Known for its deep powder, Alta is a snow lover’s paradise, with an average of 547 inches of snow per year. The terrain is mainly suited for intermediate to expert skiers, and the variety of runs, especially in areas like High Rustler and Catherine’s Area, offer something for everyone who enjoys a good challenge. If you’re an expert, the High Traverse gives access to some of the most exciting lines on the mountain, including Gunsight and Eddie’s High Nowhere. What makes Alta really special is its skiers-only policy, which creates a peaceful, traditional skiing atmosphere. There are no snowboarders here, which adds to the old-school feel of the place, and I love how it’s all about the skiing experience. The vibe is laid-back, yet the terrain is challenging and rewarding. The views at Alta are incredible, especially from the top of the mountain. Whether you’re skiing down, taking a break at the lodge, or just soaking in the scenery, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning Wasatch Mountains. The panoramic vistas are some of the best I’ve seen at any ski resort. While the resort itself is a skier’s paradise, getting there can be tricky in heavy snow. The road can get icy, and parking is limited, especially during peak times, so it’s best to get there early. But even with those minor inconveniences, the views and the overall experience make it totally worth it. If you’re a dedicated skier, Alta is a must-visit resort. The drive up, the views, and the powder are just a few of the reasons why it holds a special place in my heart. It’s the perfect destination for those who want a great skiing experience in a serene, beautiful setting. Highly recommended for anyone who loves skiing in some of the best conditions in the world!

I see why Alta is so many skiers' favorite resort in Utah. Great layout and slope conditions. Runs for every skill level. Parking is convenient to lifts. Great signage for getting around. And although I'm not someone who is anti-snow boarder, I must admit that I find the skiers-only policy a plus.

Went for Oktoberfest, nice ride up the canyon. Parking prices keep it from being a 5 star review. I thought the non Delta terminal was a long walk, the cheap parking $15 had quite the trek or you could wait for a shuttle. If you wanted close parking the valet was $50. Scenery was fantastic and everyone was in the canyon looking for it. On the ride back down the traffic was stopped for several miles trying to get in. I wouldn't have made it in if I arrived later than we did.

The scenery is breathtaking. Even the drive up the mountain is like driving through a snow globe. The runs are immaculate and it truly feels magical being here. The drive takes a long time, so be prepared to spend a decent amount of time enjoying the scenery on the road up the mountain. Both Snowbird and Alta are at the top of the mountain so traffic can get really tough. Plan for at least an hour from base to top, and have at least an AWD car! The only complaint I had was that they closed all the bathrooms for cleaning in both buildings at Albion Base at 4:30 so there was nowhere to relieve yourself before making a 1-hour minimum drive down the mountain with no place to stop.

Alta Ski Area itself is amazing! The snow conditions are phenomenal, and they really do get the most snow. I am typically a snowboarder who frequents the other resorts, but I have been learning to ski as well and Alta lived up to the hype for me. I am a comfortable blue skier who is starting to dabble in blacks and am learning to do moguls and powder, and Alta was so fun for all of these. We even ventured a little bit into the trees and the trees were not too densely packed. There were multiple gullies that were fun to explore and the snow conditions were consistent no matter where we were on the mountain. The one thing that knocks off a star for me is the parking system. They are really strict about parking and yet they don't label the highway area as reservations required, and because we parked there (due to no signage) we ended up getting a $75 parking ticket at the end of the day. That was a huge scam and there were about 20 other cars that also got tricked like us. I feel like they definitely are trying to milk people for easy revenue and giving parking tickets in a spot that's not labeled as paid reserved parking is just deceitful business practice. Also, be prepared for brutal traffic both up and down the canyon road. It's called the red snake for a reason, and it's one lane each way so if there is an accident ahead of you, you might be stuck for 2-3 hours on that road.

For the passionate skier, there's no place better than Alta Ski Area; it's Heaven on Earth. Alta is one of the oldest ski resorts in the country, operating its first lift in early 1939. Alta has a skiable area of 2,614 acres and receives more snow than most Utah resorts, averaging an annual snowfall of 545 inches! I've been skiing Alta for 13+ years, and every day at Alta is magical. Whether it's a gorgeous bluebird powder day, a storm day, or sunshine and groomers, skiing at Alta is always fun. Alta is an advanced mountain, but they have beginner-friendly terrain accessible from the Sunnyside lift. There are intermediate runs on Supreme, Sugarloft, and Collins. Skiing the best terrain at Alta often requires traversing, hiking, or bootpacking. Finding a knowledgeable friend to be your mountain guide is critical to learning how to find "the goods." Alta's lift operations do a fantastic job managing the lines, and even on busy days, they keep the lines moving efficiently. The lodges and restaurants at Alta are modest but provide decent food and comfortable places to rest. Alta Java, near the Sunnyside lift, is independently owned and operated and has excellent hot drinks, sandwiches, and other reasonably priced items. We have also been impressed with Alta's Alf Engen Ski School. My son was in their JRX (Junior Explorers) program for two years and loved his instructors. He is now in AYC (Alta Youth Club), and his skiing has advanced tremendously. If you're looking for day lessons or other ski instruction, I highly recommend their ski school. For the past few years, Alta has required parking reservations on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday weekends. This change has made the experience of visiting Alta much easier and reduced the morning commute stress. You no longer need to leave at the first light of dawn to secure a parking spot. With a reservation, you can come up whenever it's convenient and be guaranteed a parking place.

If you're skier, Alta is truly the best! One of the last holdouts as a skiers-only resort. It's part of the Mountain collective ski pass. There is also a Mountain collective member locker room with two bathrooms. This year there wasn't too much snow at Christmas 2023, but the whole Mountain was still pretty much open, a few avoidable rocks, here, and there, Closed areas included some steeper sections and chutes and gullies. Felt like California skiing, ha ha ha. But that's not why we leave California to come to Utah. Being an El Niño year, the snow is coming, we just had a dry spell between Christmas and new year. We'll be back!

Alta /Albion basin is my favorite place to hike or ski in the Wasatch. All that's missing is an alphorn. And apfelstrudel.

While living and working in Utah, I skied Alta and Snowbird almost every week. It is a great place to ski. It is worth getting the Alta Snowbird dual tickets so you can use the connector at the top and ski both mountains. Alta is usually less crowded because they don't allow snowboarders, but Snowbird also has a lot of nice runs as well. It's like two mountains in one.

We love skiing at Alta! I have also taken two adult lessons and they have been great! It was the best deal I could find and did not disappoint. Skiing at Alta is a must if coming to Utah in the winter time! We got the ikon pass and have used it mostly at Alta this season!!

If you love powder skiing this is the area. I belong to the San Antonio Los Amigos Ski , Travel and Social Club. There were incidents of skiers getting stuck in powder snow up to their waistline.

We have been coming to Alta every year for 7 years now, and we have always loved the mountain until this time we visited. On Thursday January 12th at around 4pm, my friend and I dropped by the Albion ski shop to check out merchandise. After I tried on a shirt, an employee walked up to me and told me that I wasn't allowed to try them on (even though there was no sign saying so and there is a fitting room) and I should take it off immediately. Then she started following me in the store wherever I went. When my friend wanted to try on a pair of ski pants, this employee also insisted that she shouldn't because it would be "a lot of work" since my friend had ski boots on. There were a lot of people in the store since it was 4pm, and everyone got off the mountain, but this employee kept following my friend and I the whole time. When I became irritated with her behavior and was ready to leave, she walked up to me with two empty hangers and asked me if I knew where those clothes were. Then she wanted to check the ski jackets that I was holding in my hands. I had a bright pink ski jacket and a Kansas City Chiefs jersey in my hand. There was nothing in the store that was close to the color of my bright pink ski jacket nor was there any sports jersey, but it didn't stop her from wanting to check. My friend ended up buying a jacket and the ski pants because she loved them so much. However, after my friend made the purchase, this employee refused to give her the receipt. My friend asked politely for the receipt, but this employee kept holding on to the receipt and pretended she needed to check something. My friend waited and waited, but it seemed like this employee had no intention to give her the receipt. My friend didn't want to make a scene, so she gave up and left. Both my friend and I felt deeply humiliated, offended, and disrespected. We were the only two Asian customers in the store, and she wasn't following anyone else but us, so it made us feel we were targeted because of the color of our skin. This is extremely unacceptable and puts a huge stain on our love for the mountain. We sincerely hope a great mountain like Alta would not tolerate discrimination or employ any racist employees.

Its good if you are a beginner but why would you pass snowbird to ski alta. They only really have 1 good lift (Colins) and the vertical is barely there. Ski all day and barely get 20k vertical ft. This place is a joke. Run by children that think having no snowboarders is the key to life. Well hate to break it to you but snowboarders are fine ppl and are no different than skiers. I would highly recommend skipping this hill and heading to snowbird. The drive is shorter from town and the drive down will be quicker as well. Really there is no point in skiing alta. Snowbird should just buy the mountain and integrate the whole thing.

I have to admit I did not post a review of Alta previously because I don't want to share it with any more skiers then already go there :)) Alta is one of the oldest ski areas in the U.S and opened to skiers for the first time in 1939. Alta is famous for some of the deepest powder snow and challenging terrain in the west. Like the UT license plate states, it gets the best Snow on earth. I have been a long time Alta-holic and luv the challenge and layout of the mountain. You can drop through gates and not have to worry about running into skiers that don't belong in that terrain. Alta has it all if you know where it is and don't mind working a bit to get there, steeps, trees, chutes, and legendary PowDah! You will find terrain percentage as follows: 15% Beginner, 30% Intermediate, and 55% Advanced. If you are looking for fancy amenities, glittering day lodges and a lot of après or non-ski activities, look elsewhere. Alta is for skiing hard, and then skiing some more. Alta has great lodging and dining options available on the mountain, use their web site for info or stay next door at Snowbird and ski both mountains. Alta and neighboring resort Snowbird offer joint day passes and a joint season ticket that allows skiers (boarders not allowed at Alta) access to terrain in both resorts. Access is via Mineral Basin, a large bowl owned by Snowbird on the back of Snowbird's Hidden Peak and Alta's Sugarloaf mountains. Other access points between the two resorts exist off of the Wildcat lift. Being a lifelong skier and having skied at a large number of resorts across the globe, for my time and money, Alta is the place to be for my ski turns.

Alta Ski Resort in Albion Basin is also a beautiful place to hike! If you continue this trek you can end up at the start to cecret lake trail, but this walk up to the campground reminds me of the "sound of music" movie scenery. The hills are alive with wildflowers in July/August!

Ok. I can die now. I've done the most perfect mountain ever. So many black runs, so many opportunities to hike and ski a powder bowl, so many awesome opportunities to make fresh tracks off piste. It's a ski only resort. Why would this matter? What would make this better than other resorts? Well the people skiing there are more respectful of the rules of the mountain. No one is stopping in the middle of runs to sit down. No one is skidding out the bumps and carving up a fresh powder bowl so no one else can make fresh tracks. You don't have to wait in long lines at the lift because everyone just knows how to board one. Everyone is nice and predictable with their turns and just plain respectful of each other. I noticed a huge difference. The mountain it's self is also really great. There's a backcountry area where you can get to Snowbird. The runs are steep and deep. Lots of gullies and trees to navigate if you want. The on mountain dining options are pretty good, and getting there was a fairly easy riding the UTA ski bus.

They treat out of towners like shit here. Won't honor buddy pass discount at the counter. Girl said the feature is not working, made my friend pay full price despite having the discount in his email. Said to contact ikon. Ikon said to contact ALTA. go somewhere else if you are not from Utah if you want to be treated with decency. The staff at the Albion base gift shop won't answer any questions about retail items. 2 girls. Again take you $ elsewhere. They only want locals here. Come here if you like being treated like shit. I'm all set with this place.

It's been a few years since I have skied Alta, I forgot how great the terrain is. As everyone knows the allow skiers only no snowboarders. The terrain in general is definitely intermediate to advanced. They have one lift with some beginner terrain. They have a few lodges with places to eat which is great if you want some greasy overpriced food. The parking this year with COVID is challenging and you want to get up there early or come at 1300, or take the ski bus. They have an update online if their lots are full.

This review is for Alta in the SUMMER, not in the winter. Alta is my favorite spot for hiking in the valley, and if you live in the area and have not been, you are missing out. The wildflowers start blooming in early July, but I'd say the best time to visit is late July/early August. The flowers are out of this world!! On one of my hikes, I heard people singing songs from The Sound of Music. It's THAT beautiful. This summer, Alta started a new service that replaces the shuttle bus to the trailheads with a ski lift ($10 fee but definitely worth it!) on weekends until 5:30/6pm. If you're not a hiker, I'd recommend taking the ski lift and then going back down the mountain on the Albion Meadows trail. It's downhill the whole way and meanders through fields of wildflowers and hummingbirds. It is difficult to capture the true beauty of this area with a camera, but that doesn't seem to stop me (and everyone else!) from trying. If you're up for a hike, take the ski lift up and then hit the trail for Catherine's Pass to Lake Catherine. It's incredible! Also lots of wildflowers, but far fewer people than Albion Meadows. It's a moderately difficult hike, at about 1100' elevation gain and 4 miles from the trailhead and if you go all the way around the lake. I usually hike to the viewpoint for the lake, which is probably more like 2.5 miles (I'm not quite sure). The Cecret Lake trail is also located at Alta, at the top of the summer road. Parking is hard to come by (and now has a fee), so I'd again recommend the ski lift to get to the trailhead. Cecret Lake itself is beautiful, but I found the trail to be CRAZY busy when I visited. It felt like more of a tourist spot as opposed to a hike in nature. The trail is listed as 1.7 miles with 460' elevation gain. It felt like most of that elevation gain was in the last part of the trail; the steepness and rock scramble wasn't my favorite part, but many families with children seemed to be having a great time with it, so maybe I'm in the minority here. I would highly recommend visiting on a Sunday and avoiding the live music noise that echoes throughout the valley (I could hear it all the way up the lift and halfway up Catherine's Pass). On weekdays, the ski lift isn't running, so you could either hike up the Albion Meadows trail to get access to the trailheads, or drive up the long, dirt summer road and hope to find parking. I really can't stress enough how incredible Alta is in the summer!!

Alta skiing is FANTASTIC; however, if you don't reserve the $10 parking in advance, on the day of, you will get a $75 ticket plus $3 admin fee. For those of us from out of town, we made this mistake. Plenty of parking when we arrived, but even so, we got the $78 ticket with no option for a lower amount. BE AWARE, they're making a pretty penny capitalizing on this approach!

Heaven on earth. This snowboard free zone offers the best of both worlds. We rode down long groomed blues and also adventured into some fresh powder. Falling is no problem with all the snow fall. The only downfall I would say is the visibility does get limited with the sun clouded by snow clouds. All in all it was an experience I would do over and over again.

My all time favorite ski resort, now my kids' too! Rustic and unapologetically original, this is nirvana for the skiing fanatics. Beautiful scenic backdrop, piss your pants steeps for those that dare, powder skiing through trees and tough terrain everywhere you turn. 'nobird next door is big brash and world class, but there is the one and only Alta of my dreams.

After skiing at Park City for a few days, we'd thought we'd mix things up and take the short road trip to Alta (about 45 minutes away). It was also the warmest day of the week, so with the higher altitude of Alta, we figured the snow might be better. Though my two friends had been here before, I was an Alta virgin. Things you should know about Alta, right off the bat: -- This is a no-frills ski area. Nothing fancy; just basic lodges and amenities; no wi-fi or high-end eateries. It was sort of like skiing in the 1990s again -- Cheaper than expected. At just under 100 bucks for an adult, singe-day ticket, it's less expensive than most ski areas in Tahoe or Colorado -- No Snowboarders Allowed. Though I don't have a strong bias against boarders (my youngest daughter is one of them), it was kind of nice not to have to keep "my head on a swivel" to watch out for those high-speed shredders -- Want more terrain? You can pay more for a dual-park pass for Alta and Snowbird (next door) -- It's a decent place for beginners. Though Alta has a reputations as an expert skier haven, there was a surprising amount of beginner terrain too It was also smaller than I expected. Alta had always been a somewhat mythical place for me, and so I had envisioned steep drops, powdery glades and cornice-topped ridges as far as the eye could see. But it was really a medium-sized ski resort, comprising two parallel canyons feeding into two parking areas about 1/4 mile apart. And though Alta had its share of expert runs, there was a pretty normal mix of other terrain as well. Part of the mythos of Alta is the great snow, especially powder. But with the warmer weather, this was not the case on our visit. Still, we found some good snow underneath the upper half of Collins lift, so we hung out there most of the afternoon (until this little area got "discovered" and the lift lines exploded). After that we explored a bit more of the mountain before heading back to parking. In short, we didn't get to enjoy the very best of what Alta has to offer, but I still had fun skiing here. The staff were also super helpful and friendly. I hope to return on a powder day!

Such a great spot for skiers (not so much for snowboarders tho). The backside trees were my favorite.

Alta Ski area is fantastic for beginners, intermediate and for the advanced. It's been awhile since I've gone skiing and my family signed us all up for their lesson and kudos to Henry, our awesome instructor. He was so patient as we had tons of kids with us including us novice adults who kept falling and couldn't get up. Hahahah Love that there is an abundance of space, it's never crowded, and they will give you free range depending on your ability to ski. I took a higher elevation and ended up flipping over several times but I had a blast. It's all about a great experience, time spent with family, and enjoying the winter out and about. Oh one cool thing about Alta Ski is that they provide a drop off parking in case you decide not to ski. You can also go along with your kids or family and friends and watch while they learn to ski all at no charge. I do recommend you wear a snow boots or waterproof gear as it gets very cold. Cheers!

Had 2 half day ski lessons with Sylvie, and I was skiing down the lifts after only an hour! Sylvie has 40 years of experience as an instructor, and 15 at Alta. She was so encouraging and knew exactly what I needed to fix. I highly recommend Sykvie if you're an adult wanting to learn how to ski. Sylvie gets five stars. Bob was also super awesome and positive with my other half. We are grateful for these instructors at the Alf Engen Ski School at Alta. One less star was for the food. It was expensive and low quality, pre frozen, fried food. We packed a lunch the second day.

Fantastic ski area. Snow was incredible. Great service at rentals, easy and convenient, plenty of lockers to store your things, and good options for food and drinks. Expensive all around but worth it. Difficult to reach Alta without a car but there are excellent shuttle services to/from the airport that are very reliable.

The ticket office is terrible! Roberta was extremely rude with any question. I spent $170 for my day pass and left feeling awful about myself. Skiing should be an upbeat enjoyable adventure and Roberta lives off ruining days.

Employees are very disrespectful and accused me of being someone else and took my pass. Not professional at all and very poor quality customer service especially compared to Solitude, Brighton, and Snowbird. They also used racial slurs towards me and made me feel very uncomfortable. WILL NEVER GO TO ALTA AGAIN.

We have an Ikon pass and a friend in Salt Lake City so we decided to come out and try Alta Smi Area. We were not disappointed! Wife took a private lesson the first day and daught and I worked the ski are over. Started at the eastern most lift, Albion. This side had beginner terrain mostly, but so some intermediate as well. The 3 days we were there it snowed on us. Last day we skied the western lift. This is where the intermediate to advanced terrain is located. Long runs, but was crowded. We were there on the last day of the season. Theocals dress up in costumes and ski.. Lots of runs. Variety of terrain for all levels. It is connected to Snowbird, however, at the time we went, the gate was open and we could not ski there.

Meh... it's just park city at this point without any of the amenities that park city has. It's a pain in the ass to get up LCC, and once you're up there you can pay to park and overpay for a lift ticket to ride outdated lifts on okay terrain. It's fine... but good grief Alta has a stick up their butt with the prices they charge these days.

Alta is the best ski area that I've been to. Everything about Alta is/was better than every other ski area that I skied at. Equipment rental was easy and quick. The rental employees were friendly and did a great job. Lift tickets were average in price, about $100. Discount ticket are available at local ski shops. During the holiday when I visited, we had less than a five minute wait for the lifts. There was real snow, not like the man made stuff with rocks in Southern California. It was a great experience. Why do I have to be so far away?

This is for the Alta ski shop. Do not buy ANYTHING from them. Bought a boot glove that did nothing other than collect snow and is clearly a bad design. Had it for all of about 4 hours and the stoner supervisor told me that's not his problem and wouldn't give me a refund. They will not stand behind anything they sell!

I love everything about this resort! Great, long runs.. a good combo for all skiing abilities. I started skiing 2 years ago and I went from barely getting down Mambo to skiing the POW on Extrovert! The staff is friendly and helpful; and strict with the covid protocols which I can appreciate. Food options are adequate and tasty. Can't wait to come back!

Alta has decent terrain. But the resort has a lot of problems: 1) They rarely start lifts before 9:30 am. Seriously, it doesn't matter if it is a snow day, or if it hasn't snowed for two weeks. Alta never opens their lifts on-time. By the time they let skiers on, the lines have 1000s of skiers waiting. This is even more problematic as they have only a few lifts at the base of the mountain 2) The new parking pass system absolutely sucks. The Honk system is terrible. It constantly errors out. And $25 for a day after spending hundreds on passes is ridiculous. Also, they don't offer any discounts for Ikon or Mountain Collective pass-holders 3) The customer service leaves a lot to be desired. It is as though Alta knows they have limited competition. So they don't care how they treat their skiers

Used to be about the skiing and snow. Now it is all about the $$$. That's it. We renewed our passes and despite assurances (when they answered the phone finally) that we'd get information as to our "free parking", they didn't deliver. Their eventual response was to deny responsibility and shift blame. No apology. We had paid multiple thousands of dollars in passes and they couldn't take care of business despite me asking well beforehand. Life at this quirky area before was far from perfect and we'd previously shrug because "it's old fashioned Alta." Now they want to be in the big leagues and charge a lot of money for passes and parking. The blissful and arrogant ignorance by their employees and management is not at all becoming considering that it's more expensive and the service sucks even worse. They sold out. It's just another crowded ski area now with terrible service (but mysteriously at least two very expensive website upgrades). Go elsewhere.

Great snow and terrain. The problem is that management is now completely focused on raising prices. Prices on lockers and passes have more than doubled within the last five years. Alta's season passes are now the most expensive season passes in Utah, except for Deer Valley. I know of several season pass holders that have pointed this fact out to them, but they do not respond. They simply refuse to communicate with loyal pass-holders. So, if you are looking for a skier friendly place, you should probably look elsewhere.

We didn't have the best experience. Getting there from SLC was a mess. It took us over 2 hours. One of the 5 lifts was closed. We didn't enjoy it es much as we did Deer Valley and other places.

As part of a week-long Utah vacation, my friends and I ventured into Little Cottonwood Canyon for two days of skiing - day one at Alta, and day two at next-door Snowbird. Talk to just about anyone at Alta, be it in the historic/rustic lodges or on the lift lines, and you'll immediately realize Alta's seemingly cult following. Open since 1938 (and celebrating their 75th anniversary this year), we came across plenty of ski bums that have been skiing here for 30, 40..even 50 years. Because of the narrow canyon geography, both Alta and Snowbird are lacking in development. This means no "town" ; no off-mountain condos, shopping, bars, restaurants, or really anything. Take that how you will, but for my friend and I, both avid skiers, this was perfect. We got plenty of runs in, witnessed non-existent lift lines, and enjoyed great conditions - all on MLK day, a holiday that usually has East coast resorts packed to the brim. On to the mountain itself - while not quite as STEEP as it's neighbor to the west (Snowbird), there's plenty of challenging terrain. On the trail map, almost 80% of the trails are labeled as blue or black, with no "double black" (expert) trail designation. When you're actually on the mountain skiing though, you won't find too many trail signs or thick trees dividing things though. There's a very "backcountry" feel here, where you can pretty much ski anywhere you want, get funneled into a spillway, and end up back at a chairlift without fear of being lost in the woods! For those that have skied Vail, expect a more difficult Blue Sky Basin experience. We spent most of the morning doing hike-to terrain off the Supreme lift, looking for some untracked powder in the trees, then ventured towards the other side of the mountain (Baldy Chutes & Wildcat lift) as the day progressed. For a mountain out west that hasn't seen snow for two whole weeks (I know, RIGHT?! haha) conditions were pretty sweet, and we skied all the way 'till happy hour at Goldminer's Daughter Lodge. There, we enjoyed some commemorative 75th Anniversary specialty Alta brews (pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/alta-ski-resort-alta?select=HApwN55HmMWq0LPR9bjbJw#HApwN55HmMWq0LPR9bjbJw) to top off our great day! If you're rocking skis and looking for a rustic experience, good snow, and relatively light crowds, Alta definitely deserves a day or two on your ski itinerary. P.S. (...and I copied/pasted this from my Snowbird review), here are some travel/discount lift tickets tips: If you're skiing for two or more days, snag a set of "Salt Lake Super Passes" (http://www.utahtravelconnection.com/lifttickets/skisaltlake). Not only are they heavily discounted lift tickets, but you also get access to the UTA "Ski Bus" and TRAX Light Rail (info here: http://www.rideuta.com/mc/?page=RidingUTA-SkiService), which will get you slopeside for free from just about anywhere in/near Salt Lake. If skiing Snowbird, you also get free use of their tram, whisking you from base to summit in 6 minutes. The tram is normally a $10-$12 upsell ON TOP OF the cost of a standard lift ticket, but unlimited rides on the tram are included gratis with the Super Pass.

THE BEST!!! No Snowboarders (ref later below...) This is the best all around ski mountain in country. Its gnarly, has rugged terrain, its a skiers mountain. You're pretty much guaranteed good snow quality / good conditions any time you go there.. ***** Dear Alta Ski Area CEO / Executive Planning Staff: The absence of snow boarders really makes a difference... there is better snow quality on the mountain throughout, the ease of lift service, and overall its more efficient with no "unwanted interruptions" in the ski experience. Please continue your policy of a skier's only mountain. I wish more mountains were like you. Highest Regards, Uncle C-Note. *****

I have lived in Utah for 15 years, and I learned to ski at another resort. However, Alta is a great hidden gem for all ages. My daughter started to learn to ski at the age of five, and Alta has a positive atmosphere with a large terrain for beginners. The tow rope and small hills make it easier to learn and practice the fundamentals. I also like the fact of no snow boarders. If you have children or even for adults try this majestic, spacious resort with breath taking views. You won't be disappointed.

Why don't you allow snowboarders? So outdated. It isn't even good anyways. Let us in Alta! Until then, you get one star only.

Nestled at the top of little cottonwood canyon sits the gorgeous ski resort that is known as Alta. It truly is a great place to hang out and take in the scenery. In the summer it is a great place to escape the heat and to hike. In the winter it has amazing terrain for skiing. I love the fact that it a skiers only resort. It is home to some amazing terrain and amazing views. I would highly recommend skiing here if you get the chance. Great snow!

While not trying to sound like a haughty snob. The main reason I chose to ski at Alta was because it's for skiers only. You know, for the crowd control factor *wink wink*. First, don't come expecting a mega resort lodge like in Park City. You've got a basic lodge and a cafeteria that serves a plethora of fried food. Gotta admit they had a nice selection of dipping sauces. That's raise your pinky finger fancy! Now onto the most important part, the slopes! Alta has a great variety of trails and no shortage of powder (at least in Dec). I'd say while there's definitely a good amount of black diamonds and off-trail skiing areas for experts. Type I - II skiers will benefit the most from the wide trails and the vast amount of green and blue runs. You can take a lift to the top of the mountain without fear of being surrounded by black diamond runs and no easy way down. They've made trails for all levels at every lift and so there's ALWAYS a way down. It's kind of like a choose your own adventure story. Lastly the park staff is friendly, and the ski rental prices are very reasonable. Basic ski packages start at $20 and they offer others as well depending on your ski level. All in all, if you're blessed to a skier, Alta will not disappoint!

This is the raddest ski spot in the Wasatch range.

Alta is a great resort. There are plenty of awesome resorts in Utah but a few things make Alta cool and unique. 1: if you want a ton of terrain, you can buy a AltaSnowbird pass as the resorts connect at the top. This gives you full access to both resorts, from terrain to lodges to restaurants. 2. They have several tow ropes that are FREE that run from 9 until 5. This is how we are teaching our young kids to ski. It's awesome. 3. At 3pm they have a $12 pass for two of the lifts. If you're with kids or just want something super reasonable, this is the best option around.

Alta provides very challenging terrain but also allows the intermediate skier access to trails that won't kill them. The best thing is NO SNOW BOARDERS! It never gets too crowded even on weekends. Alta still maintains that old school feel to it which makes it an even better experience than your big corporate type ski resorts.

Great terrain but the staff suck they can't do anything to help you. I bought ikon and everything worked on my side but on there system something was wrong and made it my problem. They try to not help so it's not there issue.

I have skied Alta since getting out of the Air Force in 1980. my first season pass was less than $200. i continued to ski there each year after that and even worked a season there. the last three yeas my season pass has increased an average of $49 dollar each year So today now that i am a senior my 2019-2020 pass will cost me $699. three years ago $599 which i paid then the next year it went to $649 again i paid. Being on fixed income (retired) i paid that also. but now for the 2019-2020 season the price for a 79 year old senior is $699. The day passes are also going up, so I call first and make sure you have enough $$ in your account. I Called and asked why the yearly increases and was told that marketing determined the price. now that the new general manger is a accountant he appears to want it to be like PARK CITY, money .money FAMILY'S LOOKING TO COME TO UTAH TO SKI YOU NEED TO LOOK AT SOME FRIENDLY RESORTS THAT WILL NOT NOT BREAK YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT. CONSIDER SNOW BASIN, EXCELLENT PLACE (OLYMPIC RESORT, POWDER MOUNTAIN, A LAIDED BACK HOMEY PLACE, GOOD SKIING (gets about the same snow depth as Alta) These are all close to major cities. i have skied both and each is great. do not have the famous name but will provide you and your family with a memorable experience at a reasonable cost. look them up and consider.

The first time I skied at Alta was one of the signature moments of my life. My friends and I, college students in Colorado, set off by car just before midnight, drove 10 hours through a blizzard in Wyoming and arrived at the parking lot at Alta, just as the lifts were opening on a powder day. We skied our brains out, and I spent the day racing after my expert friends, across mogul fields, plunging down chutes and gliding into powder bowls. I had been skiing all my life but never like this, in such a raw, unspoiled environment. My life and skiing would never be the same. Last week I returned to Alta (pronounced "Al-TAH", not "All-TAH") after all those years, and I was joined by one of the other guys on that trip, who now lives in Jackson and drove down to join me. "Ever since that trip during college, I've had this funky attachment to the place," he said when I asked him to explain what Alta means to him. Alta hasn't changed much over the years and I'm thankful for that. With all due respect, this is not Vail or Whistler or Aspen. The hardy skiers at Alta are the same types of people you see at places like Bridger Bowl, Jackson Hole. Mad River Glen or Revelstoke in BC. The diehards. Another thing I love about Alta is that, just like a beautiful woman, it doesn't reveal its secrets easily -- it isn't the kind of place where you just get off the lift and start skiing. You certainly can do that, but most of Alta's best runs are accessed via "secret passages" -- aka hikes of varying lengths (all of them are tiring!) or a traverse on some spiny steep ledge. (Don't look down, that's a cliff!) The payoff is worth it, though, to ski classic runs like Eagle's Nest, Fred's Trees, Glory Hole, Vail Ridge, Sunspot and Westward Ho. These ski runs are the stuff dreams are made of, the moments that you will cherish for years to come. Trust me, Alta got into my blood and it's there to stay. I'm not alone. Chances are it'll be a powder day when you finally make it to Alta -- there are certainly many of those, with the lightest, driest snow in the US -- when you can feel the stillness in the air and hear the wind whistling through the trees. If you don't know where to go, just follow someone who looks like they do. You'll probably wind up on Another Long Traverse Ahead (get it: A-L-T-A), but you may discover what it's about. Alta is more than just a great ski mountain, it's like a state of mind. After my recent return to Alta, I'm more convinced than ever that this gem is America's best pure ski mountain. Just make sure you pronounce it correctly.

The hapless millennials who staff the Alta facility are so uncaring as to be laughable. Its like they hired the entire cast of Dazed and Confused. It's just hard to imagine how you can staff your facility with such incompetent uncaring kids who don't listen to your questions, wave vaguely in directions assuming you know where to go. It was a complete joke. If you live in the Salt Lake area and enjoy skiing locally, don't need instruction, ski rental, or human interaction with halfway intelligent people, this is probably a great place. If you're not from the area and you're trying to find your way around, need ski instruction, or even basic directions be prepared to be surrounded by half-baked kids who don't give one goddamn about you, your patronage, or anything really else for that matter. Pretty place, kind of a shame.

This year we choose Alta, as they cater to skiers only. Don't get me wrong, I love to snowboard and the recent snowfall over night would of made this a great day at another resort. It's been about 6 years since I've put on skis, so I took it easy trying to get the feel and technique back. We stayed on the blue/double blues which accommodated the groups ability. The views from a top were breathtaking. The ski runs were wide and groomed. There were areas where the visibility was limited, but that didn't bother us. They have runs for all abilities and some areas to ski the trees. Our lunch stop at the mid mountain restaurant served us well. The food (Chili, fries, burgers, etc.) was great. The pitcher of beer also hit the spot. Back at the main chalet after skiing, Alta Java serves up Hot coffees, as my triple shot hit the spot. For those who do not ski or quits early, there are open unsecured WiFi available.