Like many of the best ski areas in the Rocky Mountains, Alta Ski Resort can trace its history back to the gold and silver mining days of the late 1800s. The old town site was established in1871 near the present day site of the Albion Chairlift. Originally serving as a part of the Bay City Mine, later as a general store and U.S. Post Office, and currently serving as a skier lodge, the Snowpine Lodge is the only building in Alta that can trace its origins back to those old mining days. Alta Ski Resort got its start thanks to Mayor George Watson, who deeded the surface rights to the original 1,800 acres for the resort to the U.S. Forest Service. Mayor Watson had acquired the land after the last mining boom in the 1920’s and he deeded the surface rights to create the resort in exchange for tax relief on properties he owned. Mayor Watson remained an ardent supporter of Alta Ski Resort until his death in 1952. Alta Ski Resort opened its doors in 1938 debuting the Collins Chair built off the existing aerial tram that had brought ore down the canyon. At the time the Collins Chair was only the second chairlift in the nation.

All of Alta Chalets comfortable Alta condo rentals and Alta house rentals are located a stone’s throw away from the slopes of Alta Ski Area which is an easy 45-minute drive away from Salt Lake International Airport. Conveniently located atop Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta Ski Resort is a local’s favorite for the great terrain and amazing views. With inexpensive lift tickets, steep terrain and deep powder; Alta Ski Resort is truly a gem. Alta offers 2,200 skiable acres with over 116 runs. Alta Ski Resort is a great place for the whole family with a terrain breakdown of 25% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, and 35% Advanced. Best of all, Alta Ski Resort gets dumped on with an average annual snowfall of 500 inches. Despite being known as a down to earth no frills kind of place, Alts Ski Resort boasts two ski-in ski-out restaurants and a well-stocked rental shop. Alta Ski Resort also offers some of the best and most inexpensive cat skiing around on their guided off-trail skiing in the Grizzly Gulch Bowl area of Little Cottonwood Canyon just above the resort. Once the cat drops you off at the top of the bowl, you’re standing at 10,500 feet above sea level with 375 acres and about 1,500 vertical feet of incredible bowl skiing at your fingertips.

               When you couple Alta Ski Resort’s rich history with such great terrain, the natural result is Alta’s unique culture. Alta Ski Resort is one of the few skier-only mountains left in the country where snowboarders are not allowed. There are a number of organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving Alta’s unique character. Alta Community Enrichment (ACE) is a volunteer organization that creates opportunities for the community surrounding Alta Ski Resort to participate in the arts, cultural events, and education. ACE offers a wide array of films, local artists' venues, historical storytelling, educational programs, wilderness discussions, festivals, outdoor safety courses, musical events. Friends of Alta is another great local organization. Their mission is to protect the natural environment that makes Alta Ski Resort such a gem. They seek to protect watershed and wildlife habitat areas, while acting to preserve Alta’s unique character and heritage; and to encourage stewardship and sustainability of Alta’s environment and community. They do so by acquiring undeveloped privately owned lands in Alta that exhibit watershed, open space, and wildlife habitat values and setting them aside for conservation. They are a major supporter of the protective policies of the Town of Alta so generations to come can experience what we love about Alta.

Start planning your Utah ski vacation by finding the perfect Alta lodging.  Contact Alta Chalets today!