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 top powder destinations in the USA!
Whether you’re dreaming of a classic white Christmas with Santa Claus or ringing in the New Year with toasty slopeside aprés ski-in mountain lodges adorned with holiday décor, fairy lights, and festive holiday cheer, Alta is a destination that delivers.
Ski the Slopes of Alta
The Alta Ski Area has the best early season snow in North America and is always a safe bet for powder-filled alpine adventures during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. On average, 96% of the Alta ski slopes are open by Christmas offering loads of on-mountain adventures for skiers over the holiday season. Alta is a skiers-only mountain with a great ski school and easy terrain on Albion and Sunnyside for the beginners and kids in your groups, diverse terrain for intermediates, and bucket-list steeps and deeps for expert skiers. Snow dependent, Alta Ski Area also offers backcountry skiing, heli-skiing, and cat-skiing with expert guides.
Ride The Bird
The interconnecting Snowbird Resort (fondly known as “The Bird”), receives a little less snow than Alta with an average of 84% of the mountain opens for the Christmas holidays. For a unique Snowbird experience, ride the iconic aerial tram to Peruvian Gulch and the one-of-a-kind conveyor belt through the Peruvian Tunnel to the sunny bowls of Mineral Basin. Snowbird is a powder haven for snowboarders of all levels rated one of the top five freeride destinations in the US. Come ride The Bird this holiday season!
Alpine Adventures & Off Slope Activities
There’s so much more to Alta and Snowbird than world-class skiing and snowboarding. Discover the beauty of the Cottonwood Canyons with endless alpine adventures like snowshoeing in Grizzly Gulch, fat biking the winter trails in the lower canyon, or simply soaking up the mountain views from a luxurious alpine spa. A classic vacation in the mountains promises a winter wonderland with hours of family fun, building enormous snowmen, sledding snowy hills, roasting s’mores by the fire, stargazing from the hot tub, and lifelong family memories.
Alta Holiday Festivals & Events
Holiday Music & Cookies
December 23rd, 2022 (Closed for the Season)
End your day on the slopes with holiday music, festive sing-alongs, and delicious home-baked cookies at Alta Java, located slopeside in the Albion day Lodge.
Christmas & New Year’s Dinners
Alta has five unique mountain lodges with a diverse selection of restaurants ranging from cozy, family-friendly dining rooms to intimate fine dining at the Sitzmark Club in the historic Alta Lodge. Reservations are essential for the busy holiday season and Christmas and New Year dinners.
Snowbird Holiday Festivals & Events
Full Moon Dinner Buffet
December 18th, 2022 (Sold Out)
Ride the Snowbird Tram to the summit of Hidden Peak for a gourmet dinner under a glorious full moon at the Summit Restaurant, in North America’s highest year-round lodge at 11,000 feet. Feast on a gourmet dinner with live entertainment and moonlit views of the Wasatch Mountains.
Christmas Eve Dinner & Christmas Dinner
December 24th and 25th, 2022 (from 5 pm to 9 pm on both days)
Indulge in an unforgettable evening of fine dining with a four-course Christmas Eve or Christmas Dinner at the Aerie on the 10th floor of The Cliff Lodge.
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks
Plaza Deck, Snowbird Center
December 31, 2022 (from 6 pm to 7 pm)
Snowbird celebrates the New Year with a torchlight parade followed by a fireworks celebration, firepits, and hot cocoa on the Plaza Deck at the Snowbird Center.
New Year’s Eve Dinner
December 31st to January 1st, 2022 (from 5 pm to 11 pm)
Reserve your space to ring in the New Year at one of Snowbird’s base areas or lodge restaurants. From a retro 70’s New Year at SeventyOne or laid-back casual dining at the Tram Club to cozy Italian at the Wildflower or a fine dining experience at The Aerie, Snowbird Resort caters to all its visitors.
Spend the Holidays with Alta Chalets
Alta is located only 25 miles from Salt Lake City, however, in the holiday season, the traffic in and out of the Little Cottonwood Canyon can be busy, especially after a big snowfall when locals come from all over Utah in search of fresh powder.
Stay local this holiday season and enjoy unlimited access to the greatest snow on earth with Alta Chalets! Whether you’re searching for a slopeside Alta vacation home or a ski-in/ski-out Snowbird condo walking distance to the base area restaurants and bars, Alta Chalets have the perfect vacation rental for a classic alpine adventure.
The benefits of a vacation home over the holiday season are endless! Our homes boast gourmet kitchens for festive feasts and high-end amenities to enhance your stay. Our team of Alta locals will help you book your airport transportation from Salt Lake City, order your adventure gear online, and even pre-stock your fridge and pantry with your favorite holiday treats. Spend the holidays with Alta Chalets this festive season!
