Spend enough winters in Little Cottonwood Canyon, where Alta Ski Resort and Snowbird Resort are located, and you’ll eventually hear someone say, “We’re going into Interlodge.” Around here, it’s just part of life in the Wasatch mountains, a pause button Mother Nature hits when the snow gets a little too wild.
Interlodge is a safety measure used by the Town of Alta and the Utah Department of Transportation when snow is falling fast and avalanche danger increases. It means everyone — locals, lodge guests, and staff — stays indoors while avalanche teams do their work to keep the roads and slopes safe.
Most of the time, it’s short and sweet. Maybe a few hours spent relaxing in the Alta Lodge or your Alta Chalet vacation rental while patrol drops charges up on the ridges or clears slides above Highway 210. Sometimes it stretches overnight if the storm really sets in. But ask anyone who’s spent a winter up here, and they’ll tell you that an Interlodge night usually means the next morning is going to be unreal in terms of snow and slopes.
See it in action: Watch this short film by Sweetgrass Productions for an inside look at how avalanche control and Interlodge work together to protect Alta’s skiers and community.
It’s all part of the rhythm of life in Alta. The kind of thing that reminds you these mountains make the rules.
What Is Interlodge (and What to Expect for Your Little Cottonwood Canyon Ski Vacation)
When the snow really starts to stack up, avalanche teams from Alta Ski Patrol, Snowbird Ski Patrol, and UDOT head out before dawn to keep everyone safe. Using explosives, they trigger controlled, smaller avalanches to prevent anything larger from sliding down later. It’s incredible work, and it’s the reason we can ski such steep, snow-filled terrain year after year.
During this time, the Town of Alta may issue what’s called an Interlodge order. That means everyone stays indoors while the teams do their job. When an Interlodge is in effect, it’s the law, and it’s all about keeping you safe from natural slides or debris that can move fast and unpredictably through the canyon.
But don’t worry. You’ll always get a heads-up before it happens.
Lodges and property managers post signs, update guests directly, and share alerts from Alta Ski Area and UDOT. Sometimes it’s planned for the night; other times, the weather changes fast, and it’s called on the fly.
Most closures only last a few hours. But when the inches of snow keep falling, they can stretch into an overnight stay, the kind where everyone hunkers down, shares a drink, and waits for the skies to clear.
Rules to Follow During an Interlodge Event
When Interlodge is declared, safety becomes the top priority. Everyone in Alta and Snowbird follows the same set of rules to keep things running smoothly.
- Stay Indoors: Once Interlodge is called, it’s illegal to step outside until the order is lifted and considered a Class B Misdemeanor. That includes porches, balconies, and parking lots. Even quick walks between lodges are off-limits unless “straight-line travel” is announced by the Town Marshal.
- Follow Property Alerts: Your lodge or rental manager will notify you when Interlodge begins and ends. Look for signs across doorways, watch for text updates, or tune in to local alerts from UDOT Cottonwoods or Alta Ski Area.
- Be Patient: Interlodge can last a few hours or stretch overnight during major storms. Once it’s lifted, though, those same storms usually deliver the best ski days of the season.
- Avoid Parking Areas and Windows: Avalanche mitigation work can shake the canyon. Stay clear of large windows or exterior doors until officials give the all-clear.
- Don’t Try to Leave: Roads close during Interlodge for good reason. Avalanche teams are actively working above Highway 210. So driving or hiking is both unsafe and illegal.
These rules aren’t here to limit your fun; they’re here to keep you safe so you can enjoy that deep Utah powder once the skies clear.
Tips to Pass the Time During Interlodge
When the storm outside is howling and the avalanche crews are hard at work to keep avalanche danger low, Interlodge becomes its own kind of adventure. Sure, you can’t ski. But ask any Alta regular, and they’ll tell you it’s part of the charm.
Here’s how locals and long-timers make the most of the downtime.
Settle In with a Good Meal
Most lodges keep their kitchens running, and there’s nothing like watching the snow pile up outside while you enjoy a warm meal or après-ski drink by the fire.
Make It Social
Guests often gather in common areas to play cards, share storm stories, or meet new ski friends. It’s a great time to slow down and connect.
Watch the Fresh Snow Fall
Find a safe spot away from windows and marvel at just how much snow can fall in a single storm. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how powerful and beautiful these mountains really are.
Rest Up
You’ll want fresh legs when Interlodge lifts. Historically, the next morning’s snow conditions that follow are the ones powder skiers talk about all season long.
Stay in the Loop
Keep an eye on updates from your lodge manager, UDOT Cottonwoods, or Alta Ski Area alerts. Most properties will post notices or send texts as soon as the order is lifted.
Interlodge might pause your plans for a bit, but it also offers something rare, a front-row seat to the kind of storm that makes Alta, well, Alta.
Why Travel Insurance Matters during the Alta Ski Season
When you plan a ski trip to Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains, snowfall is part of the magic, and sometimes, the challenge. With over 500 inches each season, storms can delay arrivals, extend stays, or lead to Interlodge events and road closures that no one can predict.
Travel insurance helps cover those surprises. It can reimburse you for delayed flights, extra nights, or missed travel days that happen when the canyon closes.
At Alta Chalets, we always recommend adding it when you book. A little coverage goes a long way toward keeping your powder days stress-free.
Plan Your Stay with Alta Chalets
When the snow’s falling in Little Cottonwood Canyon, there’s no better place to be. Our luxury Alta and Snowbird vacation rentals put you close to the lifts, with cozy fireplaces, private hot tubs, and fully equipped kitchens for a perfect storm-day retreat.
Book your next mountain getaway today and experience Alta like a local. Safe, relaxed, and surrounded by The Greatest Snow on Earth.
