Alta Chalets Blog

Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons are known for their world-class ski resorts with the “Greatest Snow on Earth” and some of the steepest inbound runs in America, but what lies beneath the powder stashes of Alta-Snowbird is equally appealing!  Some of the best hiking and mountain biking trails in Utah’s Wasatch Front begin right here in the higher reaches of the Little Cottonwood Canyon. Spring thaw and mud season begins around mid-May...

Situated high in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, the Alta Ski Area is simply awe-inspiring in any season! As the snow melts, powder hounds trade their skis for hiking boots and mountain bikes to venture out on the trails, plan fly fishing trips along the rivers, mountain climb the jagged peaks, and enjoy world-class golf on some of the most scenic high-elevation golf courses in the nation.  Whether you’re a golfing family...

There’s more to Snowbird Utah than 2,500 acres of world-class ski slopes boasting the greatest snow on Earth. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort is one of Utah’s best destinations for summer fun!  Situated at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s scenic Wasatch Mountains, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort offers alpine adventures in all four seasons. Alta and Snowbird’s laid-back ski culture, iconic snow conditions, and diverse inbound and...

What a start to the 2022-23 winter ski season in Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon! We received over 100 inches of snow before November’s opening day, with a series of double-digit snowfalls following closely behind. At last reading, the Alta Ski Area had a seasonal total of 203” of snow, a base depth of 95”, and deep powder to really earn your turns! Mother Nature is staying busy this winter season. ...

Yes, The Village at Sugarplum is ski in/ski out to Snowbird. You don’t need to be an expert skier but, you do need to be an intermediate skier to be able to take advantage of this access. So, how do you ski to Snowbird? The Village is located almost at the very end of Blackjack Road. The trail to Snowbird starts at the end of this road and is called the Condo...

Does Alta Ski Area Allow Snowboarders? Nestled at the top of Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon, only 25 miles from Salt Lake City, the Alta Ski Area is one of the top-rated ski resorts in the US, and one of only three skier-only resorts remaining in the nation. Welcoming 350 skiers for their first ride on the Collins Chairlift back in 1939, the Alta Ski Area is also one of the...

Ski Magazine recently announced the Top 30 Ski Resorts in the West for 2023 and the Alta Ski Area continues to climb the ranks of top rated US ski resorts. Nestled at the top of Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Alta Ski Area is renowned for a classic old-school ski vibe centered around the skier only  slopes, powder-filled bluebird days, and 500+ inches of annual snow dubbed the greatest snow...

Salt Lake City is known for its many ski resorts, but none as unique as the Alta Ski Area. Nestled at the end of the Little Cottonwood Canyon, only 28 miles from Salt Lake City, the Alta Ski Area is consistently ranked the #1 Ski Resort in North America and one of the top powder destinations in the world!  Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons are powder traps for what is known as...

The town of Alta and the world-renowned Alta Ski Area are located at the top of the Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s scenic Wasatch Mountain range. Alta is less than 30 miles from downtown Salt Lake City and accessible only on a single stretch of road – Utah’s Scenic Highway 210, aka Little Cottonwood Canyon. Scenic Highway 210 is a glacier-carved corridor that winds up through the Little Cottonwood Canyon...

Raise a Glass at Snowbird Resort 52st Oktoberfest Anniversary The Oktoberfest celebration originated in Munich, Germany over 200 years ago when Bavaria’s Crown Prince Ludwig called for a five day festival to celebrate his marriage to Princess Theresa of Saxony-Hildburghausen. This was the beginning of what is today known as the annual Munich Oktoberfest, the world’s largest party attended by over 6-million visitors annually.  Can’t catch a flight to Munich?...

Situated at an elevation of 9,500 feet at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Albion Basin sits above the Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Resort and is one of the most spectacular and renowned destinations in the Wasatch Mountains (and the US!) for wildflower Alta viewing.  The wildflower season in Albion Basin is world-famous and draws thousands of visitors to the summer slopes of the Alta Ski Area and Snowbird...

The Alta Ski Area near Salt Lake City is known for its authentic ski experiences with world-famous ski slopes, an old school ski town, and spectacular alpine scenery high in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. From a bygone era of silver mines, saloons and ski pioneers to a bucket-list destination for year-round outdoor recreation, here’s 10 things you likely didn’t know about Alta, Utah – and endless reasons to add...

The town of Alta sits at an elevation of 8,530 feet at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, an alpine splendor only 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. One of the highest cities in Utah and the US, Alta is world-famous for the greatest snow on earth, alpine adventures, and a laid back way of life that makes Alta unique to other US ski resorts. ...

The town of Alta is nestled in the beautiful Wasatch Mountain only 28 miles from Salt Lake City. Surrounded by towering peaks, steep walled canyons, granite cliffs, secluded trails for hiking and biking, and miles of creeks, streams and high-altitude alpine lakes, Alta is near to some of the top fishing spots in Utah and the Wasatch Mountains. Alta is renowned for its world-class skiing and perfect powder, but the...

Choosing the right ski resort for your family vacation can be a painstaking process and for many parents it comes down to one thing – finding a fun and safe learning environment for the kids to play on the mountain! Utah’s Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to two of the top powder destinations in the USA, the skier-only Alta Ski Area and Snowbird Ski Resort, a powder haven for both...

The Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains is an awesome winter sports destination famous for the “Greatest Snow on Earth”, world-class skiing at Alta and perfect powder at Snowbird, one of the top freeriding destinations in the US! Packing for your winter vacation requires preparation! The Little Cottonwood Canyon is a magnet for winter storms, receiving over 500 inches of snow a year, and some of the best powder...

Alta has a classic ski culture with cozy lodges for fireside dining, patios with views for bluebird days, casual family-style restaurants, upscale bistros and laid back slopeside aprés ski saloons and bars. From kick-starting your day with a shot of caffeine slopeside to shot skiing at a late-night aprés ski venue (and everything in between), there are plenty of cafés, restaurants, and fun aprés venues to indulge in Alta! And...

Winter arrived early at Alta Ski Area with a good start to the snow season and the snowiest October since 2004, with over 189 inches of snow already falling to date! The stoke for the Alta ski season is high, and there’s no better way to spend the holidays than celebrating your favorite holiday traditions in the scenic Little Cottonwood Canyon and on the world-class slopes of Alta and Snowbird, the...

Thanksgiving is a special time of celebrating family traditions, feasting on our favorite food, attending harvest festivals and giving thanks for blessings passed, and those to come. Thanksgiving is also a favorite time of year for visitors celebrating the opening of one of the snowiest places in the world, the Alta Ski Area. Nestled in the scenic Little Cottonwood Canyon of Utah, the Alta Ski Area opens for the 2021-2022...

You’re about to embark on a trip to the “Top Powder Destination in the USA” and one of the most scenic mountain destinations in Utah, the Cottonwood Canyons. Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to the Brighton and Solitude Ski Resorts and nestled at the end of the Little Cottonwood Canyon are Alta and Snowbird, a ski area paradise for powder hounds with winter activities for the whole family. Travel looks...

Alta is a historic mining town and famed Utah ski resort nestled in the heart of Utah’s scenic Little Cottonwood Canyon, surrounded by the beauty and wilderness of the Wasatch Mountains. The Alta/Snowbird area offers an abundance of outdoor activities year-round with the “Greatest Snow on Earth” in the winter and miles of secluded and scenic wilderness in the spring, summer and fall. Whether you’re travelling for world-class winter sports, spectacular...

Even though Alta, Utah, is known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, the summer season is a peaceful time to watch the area come alive with colorful wildflowers, diverse wildlife, and summer sports.  Don’t miss the chance to explore the Albion Basin without the distraction of winter tourists. Here are a few ideas of fun things to do in the Town of Alta during the summer!  Hiking  Hiking is one...

Escaping to the mountains for a winter ski getaway may be the most popular thing to do in Alta, Utah—but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do during the other seasons, too!   One of the most popular outdoor activities you can’t miss when visiting Alta during the summer and fall is exploring Cecret Lake. Here’s everything you need to know about this fun, scenic destination!  Where is Cecret Lake? ...

Working remotely never skied so good. We can all agree this year–and this winter–looks very different than what we’re used to, and there are many things we miss.  But, there are also many things we can find. Like weekday powder turns under Utah’s clear blue skies, all while holding down a big-city job. Or sending your kids to a half-day of ski school in lieu of recess. Because, thanks to...