Alta
City:
Alta
Region:
Rockies
Updated:
October 31, 2024
80
PeakRankings Score
To give each resort a Mountain Score, we assess 10 equally weighted categories that paint an overall picture of the typical mountain experience.
[Year] Rankings
Overall Rank
#
2
Rank In
United States
#
1
Rank In
Utah
#
1
Category Scores
Snow
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The resort gets top accumulation and snow that forms in a way that feels light and powdery all the time.
9
The resort sees very good accumulation and gets powder that takes awhile to track or feels notably light.
8
The resort sees very good snow accumulation each season that tends to stay powdery for several days in a row.
7
The resort sees very good, powdery snow accumulation each season, but powder doesn't always last long at certain places in the resort.
6
The resort sees good accumulation that forms a solid base each season and sometimes sees powder but sometimes suffers from variable cover.
5
The resort sees decent accumulation each season but sometimes suffers from variable cover and rarely sees powder.
4
The resort sees okay accumulation each season. Non-snowmaking trails regularly suffer from thin or variable cover.
3
The resort sees mediocre accumulation each season. Thin cover is a given on all non-snowmaking trails.
2
The resort receives poor accumulation each season and must heavily rely on snowmaking to stay open.
1
The resort would have little to no snow if it weren't for snowmaking. If you're not on a trail, you probably don't see any accumulation.
0
The resort doesn’t get any snow.
10
Lifts
Criteria Breakdown
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10
High-speed lifts exist across every mountain area. Helper lifts are high-speed as well.
9
Most lifts are high-speed, with only a few areas serviced by helper fixed-grip lifts.
8
All but a few areas are accessible by high-speed lifts. Helper lifts may be fixed grip.
7
Most areas are accessible by high-speed lifts. Helper lifts are fixed grip.
6
Many areas are accessible by high-speed lifts, but some are only serviced by fixed-grip lifts.
5
About half of areas are accessible by high-speed lifts.
4
A few areas are accessible by high-speed lifts, but most areas only see fixed-grip lift service.
3
All lifts are fixed grip but some are at least modern.
2
Lifts are extremely old or low-capacity. Some places are only serviced by surface lifts.
1
Surface lifts only.
0
No lifts.
6
Resiliency
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain can quickly recover from the worst conditions and deliver the exact same experience as on a good day.
9
The mountain can quickly recover from almost any poor conditions thanks to excellent poor snow and weather mitigation.
8
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in nearly every mountain area and across all terrain categories. A few parts of the resort may occasionally see significant impacts.
7
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in most mountain areas, but some parts of the mountain are highly affected by inclement weather or poor conditions.
6
The mountain successfully mitigates snow or weather issues in many mountain areas, but other parts are highly susceptible to inclement weather or poor conditions.
5
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but struggles to mitigate poor conditions in many mountain areas.
4
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but is regularly forced to close a few major parts of the mountain. Under severe circumstances, the mountain may be forced to completely suspend operations.
3
The mountain has some capabilities to avoid inclement weather or poor conditions, but is regularly forced to close multiple major mountain areas. Occasionally, the mountain may be forced to suspend operations completely.
2
In the event of any inclement weather, the mountain loses most of its skiable terrain, with restoration regularly taking several days or weeks. A few small runs may stay open.
1
In the event of any inclement weather, the mountain loses its entire skiable footprint and may take weeks to recover.
0
Any inclement weather issues are season-ending.
9
Crowd Flow
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain's infrastructure is perfectly set up for crowd flow and capacity and does the best possible job to mitigate crowding.
9
The mountain's lift infrastructure is mostly direct and well-placed with excellent capacity.
8
The mountain's lift infrastructure is mostly direct and well-placed with good capacity. One or two areas could use a capacity upgrade.
7
The mountain's lift infrastructure is usually direct and well-placed with good capacity. A few areas could use a capacity upgrade or better placed lifts. Trails themselves rarely become chokepoints.
6
The mountain's lift and trail network is usually direct with good capacity. Some areas suffer from indirect lift placements or poorly thought out junctions.
5
The mountain’s lift and trail network comprises a comparable mix of direct, well-placed routes and indirect or capacity-constrained ones.
4
The mountain's lift and trail network is set up in a way that causes major crowding or indirect routing for many popular routes. Some areas are served by direct, well-placed lifts.
3
The mountain's lift and trail network causes serious crowding or indirect routing for most areas, but a few places are served by direct, well-placed lifts.
2
The mountain's lift and trail network is not equipped to handle crowds on a normal day and sees backups of more than half an hour.
1
The mountain's crowd flow logistics are seriously flawed. Poor lift placement and uphill capacity can cause backups of more than an hour.
0
The mountain's crowd flow logistics are so bad that you shouldn't expect to get on the mountain on a typical day.
7
Size
Criteria Breakdown
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10
7000+ skiable acres
9
3500-7000 skiable acres
8
2500-3500 skiable acres
7
1800-2500 skiable acres
6
1200-1800 skiable acres
5
800-1200 skiable acres
4
500-800 skiable acres
3
250-500 skiable acres
2
100-250 skiable acres
1
1-100 skiable acres
0
0 skiable acres
7
Facilities
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain boasts easily accessible, high-capacity lodges at every major and minor junction area.
9
The mountain boasts easily accessible, high-capacity lodges throughout most mountain areas.
8
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across the resort. A few minor mid- or high-elevation areas lack easy access to high-capacity facilities.
7
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across the resort. Some major mountain areas lack easy access to high-capacity facilities.
6
The mountain boasts several lodges or huts across multiple areas, but some places lack easy access to the closest facilities.
5
The mountain consists of high-capacity lodges at each base area but suffers from limited, low-capacity, or impractically placed on-mountain facilities.
4
The mountain consists of high-capacity lodges at each base area. Any on-mountain facilities are limited, low-capacity, and impractically placed.
3
The mountain consists of at least one high-capacity base lodge but no on-mountain facilities.
2
The mountain consists of a moderately-sized base lodge but no on-mountain facilities.
1
The mountain consists of a singular base lodge that's either impractically small or hard to reach.
0
The mountain doesn't consist of any on-site lodge facilities.
7
Terrain Diversity
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The mountain has an abundance of terrain in all categories for all ability levels.
9
The mountain offers multiple options in all terrain categories you'd typically find at a ski resort.
8
The mountain offers at least some options in all terrain categories you'd typically find at a ski resort.
7
The mountain offers terrain in most categories for a range of ability levels, but may fall short in one or two areas.
6
The mountain offers terrain in many categories but either falls short or lacks terrain in a few others.
5
The mountain offers terrain of varying lengths, gradients, and widths but lacks terrain in multiple categories.
4
The mountain offers similar terrain of moderately different lengths, gradients, and widths.
3
The mountain offers similar terrain of slightly different lengths, gradients, or widths.
2
The mountain consists of runs that are similar to one another but vary slightly by difficulty.
1
The mountain only consists of runs that provide nearly identical terrain experiences.
0
The mountain has no terrain.
9
Navigation
Criteria Breakdown
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10
It's easy, direct, and clear to get anywhere on the mountain from any place.
9
It's easy, direct, and clear to get anywhere on the mountain from most places. A small fraction of trails don't have direct access to all other mountain areas.
8
It's easy to get to and from most mountain areas. A few minor areas aren't directly accessible from all other parts of the resort or may be hard to find.
7
It's reasonably simple to get between most major mountain areas. A few areas require catwalks or traverses to get to or from or are hard to find. Some areas require multiple direct lift rides to travel between.
6
It's reasonably simple to get between many major mountain areas, but some areas require more effort due to poor signage, indirect lifts, or catwalks.
5
Some mountain areas are easy to navigate while others require more effort due to poor signage, indirect lifts, or catwalks.
4
Some mountain areas are easy to get between, but navigating many major areas can be confusing. Some major trails may suffer from poor signage or require catwalks.
3
It can take multiple lifts or be notably confusing to get between major resort areas. Many resort areas suffer from indirect trail routes, poor signage, or multiple catwalks.
2
It takes a substantial amount of effort and multiple indirect lifts to get between resort areas with little enjoyable terrain in between. Expect to occasionally get lost.
1
Expect to regularly get lost at this resort due to poor signage and lift placement. Getting between mountain areas requires notable effort and extremely unenjoyable terrain.
0
It's impossible to get around this resort. You will likely get lost or spend your whole day trying to get from one place to another.
6
Challenge
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The resort boasts truly extreme terrain across several prominent areas. Any double blacks should not be attempted, even by experts, without using extreme caution.
9
Select resort areas boast some of the most challenging runs in the world. The most challenging terrain should not be attempted, even by experts, without using extreme caution.
8
The mountain boasts extremely demanding terrain with sustained pitches, cliffs, drop-ins, and/or tight turns.
7
The mountain offers a range of very steep, ungroomed terrain with features like cliffs, drop-ins, or tight turns.
6
The mountain offers a range of steep, difficult terrain, with expert features like cliffs in some places.
5
The mountain offers some fairly steep groomed and ungroomed runs.
4
The mountain offers some steep runs but very little ungroomed terrain.
3
The mountain primarily offers groomed terrain with moderate pitches.
2
The mountain offers mostly gently-sloped terrain.
1
None of the mountain's terrain is more difficult than a typical bunny hill.
0
The mountain is completely flat.
9
Mountain Aesthetic
Criteria Breakdown
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10
The resort offers one-of-a-kind views, terrain, isolation, and vibes. You probably won't find a resort that feels like this again in your lifetime.
9
The resort offers unique terrain, views, and isolation that you'll rarely find anywhere else.
8
The resort clearly distinguishes itself with class-leading views, terrain, and isolation.
7
The resort feels unique, with high-quality views, terrain, and isolation across the footprint.
6
The resort doesn't boast the same unique terrain as some competing resorts but offers excellent views and isolation in many areas.
5
The resort offers some cool terrain and great views and isolation in some areas. Some areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
4
The resort offers decently cool terrain, nice views, or pockets of isolation in places. Major areas may feel commercialized or built-up.
3
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up around more than half the resort or offers only moderately interesting terrain, views and isolation.
2
The resort either feels commercialized or built-up in most areas or offers only mildly interesting terrain, views or isolation.
1
The resort barely feels like a mountain, with intense commercialization and very little in the way of views, terrain, or isolation.
0
The resort is completely flat or indoors.
10
Good To Know
Aprés-ski:
Limited
On-site Lodging:
Limited
Nearest City:
Salt Lake City (45 mins)
Pass Affiliation:
Ikon (excl. base pass), Mountain Collective
Epic [Backend]
Ikon [Backend]
Mountain Collective [Backend]
Other [Backend]
Recommended Ability:
From
Intermediate
To
Expert
Beginner [Backend]
Intermediate [Backend]
Advanced [Backend]
Expert [Backend]
Extreme [Backend]
Pros
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Cons
‚Äç
Pro Con Item [Backend]
Mountain Stats
2200
acres
Skiable Footprint
2614
acres
Total Footprint
77
%
Lift-Serviced Terrain
11068
ft
Top Elevation
2538
ft
Vertical Drop
11
Lifts
119
Trails
15
%
Beginner
30
%
Intermediate
55
%
Advanced/Expert
Comprehensive Review
One of the few ski-only resorts left in North America, Alta lives in the Little Cottonwood Canyon, just a short drive from Salt Lake City and next to neighboring Snowbird. While other nearby mountains provide more acreage, Alta offers unbeatable snow quality and impressive terrain diversity, earning its place as one of the most competitive ski destinations in the country.
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Alta offers some of the best snow at any major North American resort. The resort sees top-tier accumulation and notably light snow, allowing for both deep powder and sweet, effortless turns. It’s difficult to find this combination anywhere else.
After especially heavy snowfall, Alta will occasionally close and force everyone indoors for avalanche control. Once the mountain reopens, however, visitors will find fresh powder. In recent years, Alta has employed snowmaking at the beginning of the season to ensure a resilient base layer of snow.
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Alta’s terrain consists mainly of thinly wooded glades and bowls, with more concentrated trees found in a few areas. More than half of the resort consists of black diamond terrain, and skiers who love steep, powdery moguls will find nirvana here. Intermediates can find blue runs off any lift—many of which are groomed—and bowl skiing in the wide, mellow Ballroom area. Beginners won’t find many options at Alta, however. Only the Albion/Sunnyside area services green trails, and the old mid-mountain Cecret lift has been removed, cutting off beginner access to that (admittedly small amount of) terrain.
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Alta doesn’t mark any of its runs as double blacks, but don’t be mistaken—there’s plenty of expert terrain here. Visitors will find plenty of cliffs and precipitous pitches here, many of which involve navigating around trees or rocks. All terrain not blocked off by rope is fair game, and many of the best runs here are unmarked on the trail map.
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It’s debatable whether Alta’s ban on snowboarders has a perceptible effect on the mountain’s snow quality or crowd flow. But one major side effect is the resort’s lack of terrain parks. Given the snowboarder-heavy demographic of the freestyle community, it’s not exactly surprising that Alta doesn’t feel the need to cater to them.
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The general vibe you’ll get at Alta is truly special. The resort’s lack of an overly developed base area makes it feel local compared to other, more commercialized destinations. Most lifts independently service hundreds of acres of terrain, and the right trails bring you to terrain that feels completely isolated. Upper areas of the mountain offer views of neighboring peaks, and if you’re in the right place on a nice day, you can even see down into parts of Salt Lake City.
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Alta boasts a modern lift setup. Now that the resort has upgraded its Supreme lift to a detachable quad (replacing both the previous Cecret and Supreme lifts), the overwhelming majority of terrain sees high-speed lift service. In recent seasons, Alta has fitted most lifts with safety bars. Every major junction area offers two lift options, preventing excess lines from building up at any one lift. However, the base areas can get crowded on busy days, and the Albion base, serviced by the Sunnyside high-speed triple and Albion double lifts, could use a capacity upgrade.
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While Alta’s Albion and Wildcat base areas are quite a ways from one another, the resort offers a transfer tow that links the two together without the need for an arduous catwalk. In addition, slopeside hotels offer miniature chairlifts or rope tows so guests don’t have to hike up to the entrances. But getting around the resort isn’t always easy. A lot of terrain at Alta, especially bowls and expert areas, requires traversing to get to or from. In addition, the most demanding terrain requires hiking to get to.
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At Alta, inclement weather can cause visibility problems. Snowstorms occur often, and a lack of concrete surroundings in open terrain make it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead and stay on your desired run. It’s best to stick to well-defined trails during these times, but luckily, all runs eventually lead back to the base.
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Both base areas have their own lodges with rental shops, and each slopeside hotel offers public but expensive dining options. The resort also has two mid-mountain lodges, allowing those who want to stay in upper-mountain areas to take breaks without going all the way down to the base.
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Alta is a decently-sized resort, and most visitors will need a few days to cover each mountain area. But for those who want more, Alta offers direct lift access to and from the neighboring Snowbird ski resort. Visitors can ski both mountains on the same day with an AltaBird ticket or the Ikon Pass. Those looking to stay for multiple days may want to consider splitting their days between the two resorts.
Getting There
With no traffic, Alta is approximately 30 minutes to an hour from parts of Salt Lake City, and about 45 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport. The road into the Little Cottonwood Canyon is a two-lane highway that can get backed up in the early mornings on powder days and weekends.
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A number of shuttle services exist between Alta and the airport, Salt Lake City, and the nearby ski town of Park City. The public UTA bus system provides direct service from several nearby Salt Lake City suburbs and transfer service from most other Salt Lake metro area towns.
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For the 2021-22 season, Alta has implemented a paid parking reservation policy that takes effect on weekends and holidays. Visitors must pay $25/day to reserve their spots in advance, but guests who have purchased their tickets from Alta.com get a $10/day reduced rate. The fee is waived for season passholders.
Lodging
Lodging at Alta is limited. Most hotels are nice, with ski-in/ski-out access and pools or hot tubs, but quite expensive. For many, it will make sense to stay at Snowbird base, which has more reasonably priced options.
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The cheapest lodging can be found in nearby Salt Lake City. However, the Alta access highway can get seriously backed up on weekends or holidays. In addition, this road can close due to inclement weather.
Aprés-ski
Alta is not the place for nightlife, but there are a few bars with really good aprés-ski deals connected to the hotels.
Verdict
For skiers who value snow quality and a natural, local feel above all else, it’s hard to find a better mountain than Alta. Lift ticket prices undercut many competing resorts that offer similar terrain but can’t match in accumulation and powder. However, the mountain’s ban on snowboarders and expensive lodging may be dealbreakers for some.
Best Winter Wonderland Getaway
The resort is a true winter wonderland, with stunning scenery and fantastic skiing conditions. The après-ski activities were a blast, and the staff went out of their way to ensure everything ran smoothly. I especially enjoyed the variety of trails and the relaxing atmosphere after a day on the slopes.
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