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. 

Join us on a discovery of the storied past of a bygone era, the history of Alta’s famous terrain, the top things to do in and around town, and the best places to stay for a luxury vacation in Alta

The History of Alta

Snowy Mountains Alta Utah

Alta is a tiny town with a rich and colorful history! Silver ore was first discovered in the upper reaches of Little Cottonwood Canyon in 1864 and the first verified silver claim was staked in 1865. The town of Alta was established to house miners from the Flagstaff mine, Emma mine and surrounding silver mines in the Little Cottonwood Canyon, and this small region of the Salt Lake Valley began to boom.   

In 1871, Senators William M. Stewart and James E. Lyon, along with the US ambassador to Great Britain attempted to sell the Emma mine to British investors at an inflated price, sending phony silver ore samples and receiving millions of pounds in investments. The indiscretions were exposed leading to the recall of the American ambassador to Great Britain and congressional hearings in Washington DC. A notable scandal for the town of Alta, UT. 

By 1872, Alta was booming and the production of silver ore topped at $13.5 million – Alta had thousands of residents and over 150 buildings with homes to house miners, hotels and restaurants, 6 breweries, and 26 saloons including the notorious “Bucket of Blood” and “Goldminer’s Daughter”. Shortly after, the town of Alta’s decline began, the mines ran dry, the wildfires of 1878 destroyed most of the town, and the Alta avalanche dumped 50 feet of snow on Main Street in 1885, leaving only 7 buildings remaining. By 1895, Alta was virtually a ghost town. 

New discoveries at a few of the Alta mines brought on a second boom in 1904 which lasted until the Great Depression in 1927, and by the early 1930s there was only one resident remaining in Alta. George Watson arrived in Utah in 1902 and without the mining riches rolling in, he bought up old mining claims including hundreds of acres of land. As Alta’s only remaining resident, Watson declared himself “Mayor” of Alta and in 1937 deeded 700 acres of his land to the US Forest Services to square up his back taxes and contribute to the future of skiing in America. Mayor Watson passed away in Alta in 1952 and has since been inducted into the Ski Industry Hall of Fame and US Ski Hall of Fame.  

The Discovery of Alta’s Ski Slopes

Alta Ski Slopes

In 1935 the famous Norwegian ski legend Alf Engen was hired by the US Forest Service to search for land ideal for the development of a ski resort. Alf Engen had already discovered Alta’s deep powder and perfect slopes and, with the land needed for development, the shift from mining mecca to ski town began. 

The Alta Ski Area was officially founded in 1938, the Collins chairlift was constructed from an old mining tram, the Rock Shelter (now Snowpine Lodge) was built, and the Alta Ski Area set its first opening day for January 15, 1939 welcoming 350 skiers for a single ride on the Collins chairlift (25 cents lift tickets!).

The second ski season at Alta was a hit with over 86,000 lift tickets sold and the historic Alta Lodge opened its doors to provide lodging for skiers near the slopes. During World War II, the Alta Ski Area did not slow down but instead the slopes were used as a base to train over 175 paratroopers for six weeks in the basics of alpine living and downhill skiing to prepare for potential on-snow combat. 

In the late 1940s the Rustler Lodge and Peruvian Lodge were added to Alta’s ski accommodations, the resort saw further expansions in the 1960s, and by 1970 Alta had nearly 100 permanent residents and was incorporated as a town. 

In December 1971, Snowbird Resort opened 2 miles west of Alta opening up even more diverse terrain for locals and visitors to ski (and now snowboard!). In December 2001, Alta and Snowbird officially tied the knot giving skiers 4,700 acres of world-class powder terrain and two distinctly unique resort experiences on one ski pass! Today, Alta-Snowbird is consistently ranked as one of the top ski destinations in the US and top powder destinations in the world. 

The Alta Ski Area stays true to the legacy of powder skiing and is one of three ski-only resorts in the US – but board riders can always head to Snowbird. 

Top Things to Do in the Town of Alta, UT

Four Seasons of Adventure 

The town of Alta is dominated by the Alta Ski Area and while it is famous for its deep perfect powder, world-class skiing and adventurous alpine winter sports – four seasons of adventure await! The spring snowmelt gives way to scenic alpine lakes for fishing, meadows of wildflowers (over 250 species!), and an abundance of hiking and biking trails in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.

Wildlife Viewing in Alta 

Wildlife viewing in Alta is easy, as long as you’re away from the crowds. The high elevation landscapes offer spectacular wildflower and wildlife viewing in the warmer months with Albion Basin being a prime location for wildlife viewing. Hummingbirds buzz about the wildflowers, squirrels, deer, coyotes and foxes are regularly spotted, and moose are encountered daily alongside the trails. 

Restaurants, Après Ski & Nightlife 

Between the Alta Ski Area & Snowbird Resort, travelers to Little Cottonwood Canyon have ample options to eat out with slopeside cafes and coffee shops, family-friendly grills, and elegant lodge dining with panoramic views of the Wasatch peaks. The nightlife in Alta is low-key – classic ski bars, slopeside saloons, fireside cocktails or summer sundowners with live music on the patio. Our guide to the “Best Restaurants in Alta” will whet your appetite and help you plan your restaurants, apres ski and nightlife in Alta! 

   

Getting To & Around Alta

Salt Lake City International Airport is a major hub for Delta and served by 12 airlines with direct flights from most major east and west coast US cities. Once in SLC, travelers have access to regular shuttles to Alta, private transportation, and rental car companies conveniently located at SLC airport. A scenic 45 minute drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon and your Alta vacation begins. 

Unless you’re planning scenic drives and road trips from Alta, it is not necessary to have a car for your vacation. Alta Chalets offer luxury slopeside accommodation in the heart of town and the free Alta Shuttle loops between the Alta and Snowbird Resort base areas and accommodations. 

Best Places to Stay in Alta, UT

Experience the best of Alta-Snowbird with Alta Chalets! 

Our local team has been welcoming guests for over 30+ years with a selection of the finest luxury lodging in Alta and Snowbird, exceptional guest services, and a personalized vacation experience. From contemporary condos just for two to grand ski chalets for a large group getaway, there’s a home-away-from-home to suit every style, size and season in Alta! 

Take an aerial tour of Alta and find your next vacation rental in the Little Cottonwood Canyon with Alta Chalets!