Alta Chalets FAQs

The closest airport to Alta and Snowbird is the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). We are a hub for Delta Airlines and have direct flights from most major US airports along with some international destinations. Driving time from the Airport to Alta is approximately 45 minutes, weather and traffic dependent.

Yes you do! We get over 500 inches of snow a year and the Department of Transportation often restricts the roads to 4WD or all-wheel drive only. That means that if you do not have a 4WD or all-wheel drive, you are not allowed to drive in Little Cottonwood Canyon under any circumstance.

We are frequently asked if people should rent a car when visiting Snowbird and Alta. Some guests find that they never use their rental cars once they are at Alta while others can’t imagine not having a car. While there is no clear cut answer to this question, there are a number of questions you can ask yourself that will help you to make your decision. Below is a list of questions along with information on area shuttles. Please feel free to contact our office with questions. 1. Do you have small children? We have found that groups with small children are often happier when they rent a vehicle as this makes dropping kids off at ski school, day care etc… a bit easier than taking the shuttle and having to juggle multiple pairs of skis, children and other gear. 2. What time do your flights arrive and depart? Our check in time is at 4PM and check out at 10AM. We can, at times, accommodate an early check in or late check out but this means an hour or so on either side and must be okayed by our reservations office in advance of your visit. If you arrive early or leave late, a rental vehicle will give you a place to store your bags and base out of on your check in/check out day. 3. Will you want to pick up groceries on your way to Alta? We do offer a grocery stocking service however, if you enjoy doing your own grocery/liquor shopping you will want to do this prior to your arrival at Alta/Snowbird. The easiest options for doing your own grocery shopping are: Rent a 4WD/AWD vehicle and stop on your way up the canyon and shop (you can also place an online order in advance.) Book a private shuttle from the airport – the shuttle will charge you $1 per minute wait time but will stop at the grocery store for you (all stops must be arranged in advance). 4. Are you comfortable driving in the snow? We get an average of 500 inches of snow each season and though the roads are well maintained, you may be driving in winter conditions. If you rent a vehicle you will need to rent a 4WD/AWD with a minimum of mud/snow tires. 5. Do you like to go out to dinner a lot and/or visit other areas (other than Alta or Snowbird) while on vacation? If you answered yes, renting a vehicle may be the way to go. The evening shuttle to go to restaurants in the Alta/Snowbird area is free for the 2022/2023 ski season (from 6pm to 10pm) but to get to other resorts outside of Little Cottonwood Canyon can be a little cost prohibitive to go by shuttle. 6. Will you be visiting early/late season? The area shuttles run from mid-December to about the beginning of April. If you will be visiting outside of these times you will want to rent a vehicle.

Yes, Alta Chalets sells Super Pass lift tickets. These are a great option if you can't decide which resort you want to ski or ride at every day. The Super Pass is pre-loaded with a quantity of lift ticket days and allows you to choose each day if you are going to ski at Alta or Snowbird. No more locking in a consecutive day single resort pass! You can always upgrade this pass at the top of the mountain to be the Alta Snowbird dual mountain lift ticket. These passes always have a 14 day window of use once you go through a ticket gate the first day.

Yes! Alta Chalets offers a food stocking service – we can stop at the grocery store, natural foods store (Whole Foods) and/or liquor store in Salt Lake City and stock your rental accommodation so all is waiting for you upon arrival. If doing your own shopping, is important that you pick up groceries at grocery stores at the bottom of the canyon before heading up. There is only a small general store at Snowbird where you can restock with things like milk and juice.

Altitude affects people differently. It is not unusual to get a little headache and have some problems sleeping your first few days at altitude. There are brochures in each of our rental properties with pointers on handling altitude. If you have questions or if you are experiencing more than mild symptoms, you should be seen by a medical professional. We recommend that you avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine and increase your intake of water.

Once you are at Alta and Snowbird, there is no need for a vehicle. There are very easy ways to get around the ski areas, during the day or in the evening. Free Traditional Day Alta Resort Shuttle – (Within Alta along Bypass Road during daytime hours to get you from the homes and condos to the Alta Ski Area) The free Alta Resort Shuttle runs continually during the daytime (8:30am to 5:00pm) from mid-December (12/16/22) until to mid-April (4/9/23). This shuttle stops at all of the accommodations and brings guests to and from Alta’s base lifts. This shuttle does NOT go to Snowbird. Please contact (801) 301-0122. Insider tip: You can always use this Shuttle as well to go to Snowbird by hopping off at The View Condominiums stop and skiing down the intermediate ski trail to Snowbird. Shuttle Stops: Superior Point Sugarplum Townhouses Upper & Lower Sugarplum Village Sugarplum Meadows The View Condominiums Powder Ridge Alta Chalets Private Homes PhotoHaus Condominums (by request) NEW Day Alta Resort Shuttle – (This free shuttle connects with the UTA bus route with different stops) The NEW supplemental Alta Resort Shuttle runs from 7am to 6pm daily, picking up from the stops below every 30 minutes. Dates of operation are: 12/11/22 to 4/9/23. Shuttle Stops: Cliff Lodge Bottom of the Blackjack Road Driveway on the Bypass Road Alta Peruvian Lodge Goldminers Daughter Alta Lodge Rustler Lodge Snowpine Lodge Albion Base Alta Resort Night Shuttle The free Alta Night Shuttle is an on-demand service that picks up guests at their rental properties and takes them anywhere in the Alta Snowbird area between the hours of 6-10pm, running from 12/23/22 to 4/9/23. It is suggested to call (801) 301-0122 in the morning to make reservations for your ride in the evening. Shuttle Stops: Superior Point Sugarplum Townhouses Upper & Lower Sugarplum Village Sugarplum Meadows The View Condominiums Powder Ridge Alta Chalets Private Homes PhotoHaus Condominium

There are lots of discount ski rental operations in the Salt Lake Valley, however, if you are staying at Alta or Snowbird, we recommend that you rent your skis there. Though it may cost a little bit more, you will be happy not to have to drive back to Salt Lake should you want to switch skis or if you have a problem during your visit.

Below are the items that we provide for all of our guests in the units. • Coffee Filters • Laundry and Dishwasher Detergent • Dish Soap • Sponge and Scouring Pad • All Purpose Spray Cleaner • Paper Towels and Dish Towels • Starter supply of toilet paper • Starter supply of trash bags

The answer is absolutely yes ... even on Sunday. Like other major cities, Salt Lake has bars, brewpubs, and restaurants that serve alcohol seven days a week. The "membership requirement" to enter bars was removed in 2009. If you're over 21 you can walk into a bar, order a drink, and enjoy. You have to buy wine, full strength beer and hard liquor at a Utah State Liquor Store (see grocery stores for locations).

Due to the unique challenges of Alta's weather and location, no recycling pick up service exists. However, if you have a vehicle and would like to recycle, you can take it to the Alta Recycling Center, which is on the north side of the main road, down canyon from the post office/fire station. It is across the street from the parking lot west of the Rustler Lodge. The recycling center accepts newspaper, plastics (including plastic bags), steel cans, cardboard, cereal boxes, aluminum cans, tin cans, all paper, milk jugs and soap boxes. It does not accept glass.

Sometimes our guests will ask for a different check in/out time other than our standard 4pm check in and 10am check out. We will put the request onto your reservation but it is always on request basis only. It is based on a number of different factors: housekeeping schedules, weather and other Alta Chalets reservations in house at the time. Please contact us directly so we can assess what this may look like for you.

When you call your caretaker at the airport, they will make plans to do your orientation and official check in to the property. They will instruct you on where and how to park for your specific unit. You must display a pink Alta Chalets parking permit for select units on the rearview mirror of your rental car.