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Elevation
2,602m–3,217m
Ski area
71 km
Lifts
8
Nearest airport
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Schools
1 listed
Overview
Alta at a glance
Common questions
- Yes, Alta is exclusively a skiers-only mountain. Snowboarding is not permitted on its slopes, preserving a traditional skiing experience.
- Absolutely, Albion Base offers dedicated beginner terrain, and the Sunnyside lift provides access to wide, gentle runs, making Alta surprisingly beginner-friendly.
- Advanced skiers can tackle steep, exposed runs like High Rustler and the Baldy Chutes. An AltaBird pass combines this with Snowbird for 4,700 acres of challenging lift-served terrain.
- For an authentic experience, consider staying at classic lodges such as Alta Lodge or Goldminer's Daughter. They offer a unique old-school character that modern chain hotels cannot replicate.
- Access is via the Little Cottonwood Canyon road, which can close for avalanche control. It's advisable to check UDOT conditions before travelling.
The mountain
Ski area details
Key stats
Summit3,217m
Base2,602m
Vertical drop (resort)615m
Total Lifts8
Total Slopes71 km
The mountain
Ratings
Editorial suitability scores from the Find a Ski School team on a 1–5 scale. These are not visitor reviews.
Skiing
Beginners
Intermediate
Advanced
Off-piste
Snow guarantee
Resort
Family friendly
Après ski
Conditions
Live webcams
The mountain
Ski area map
Explore the ski runs and pistes around Alta. Toggle the ski piste overlay using the layer control.
Ski piste data from OpenSnowMap.org (CC-BY-SA)
Lesson providers
Ski schools at Alta
Explore by activity:Group Ski Lesson in AltaKids Ski School in AltaPrivate Ski Lesson in AltaSkiing in Alta
0 schools
About the resort
About Alta
Alta is an outdoor ski area in Utah, the United States. The available data lists terrain from 2602 m to 3217 m elevation, 71 km of recorded slopes and 8 lifts.
About the resort
Key facts about Alta
The lifts run between 2,602m and 3,217m, a vertical drop of 615m. 71 km of marked pistes are served by 8 lifts. The nearest airport is Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
Who teaches here
Ski schools and instructors in Alta
One ski school is listed at Alta.
- Alta Ski Area Ski School — Ski school. Teaches skiing, private ski lesson, kids ski school, and group ski lesson. Lessons in English.
Lessons by activity
Activities you can learn in Alta
Lessons at Alta are offered in group ski lesson, kids ski school, private ski lesson, and skiing.
- Group Ski Lesson lessons in Alta — One listed school teaches group ski lesson.
- Kids Ski School lessons in Alta — One listed school teaches kids ski school.
- Private Ski Lesson lessons in Alta — One listed school teaches private ski lesson.
- Skiing lessons in Alta — One listed school teaches skiing.
Resort guide
Alta resort guide
Alta is renowned as a skiers-only mountain, receiving an impressive 547 inches of annual snow. It is home to the Alf Engen Ski School, named after the Norwegian jumping champion who ran Alta's programme for 40 years. You won't find high-speed detachable chairs or a luxury village here, just extraordinary skiing.
The Little Cottonwood Canyon road, the main access route to Alta, can sometimes close for avalanche control. It is advisable to check UDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) conditions before you travel.
Terrain for Intermediates
Runs off Sugarloaf and Sunnyside chairs offer consistent cruising. Alta's grooming is less aggressive than Deer Valley, meaning you'll encounter a more natural snow surface that helps build stronger skills.
Albion Base offers dedicated beginner terrain. The Sunnyside lift accesses wide, gentle runs, making Alta more beginner-friendly than its hard-core reputation might suggest.
High Rustler, Alf's High Rustler, and the Baldy Chutes provide steep, exposed, and genuinely committing terrain. Combined with Snowbird via the AltaBird pass, you gain access to 4,700 acres of the most challenging lift-served terrain in North America. You can find an expert guide at Alta to explore these areas.
For a truly authentic experience, consider staying at one of Alta's classic lodges, such as Alta Lodge or Goldminer's Daughter. These accommodations offer an old-school character that chain hotels simply cannot replicate.
The Alf Engen Ski School boasts a coaching culture developed over 40 years by its namesake. They offer various programmes designed to enhance your skiing:
- Afternoon clinics: These 2.5-hour group clinics offer exceptional value with smaller groups and benefit from softened afternoon snow.
- Powder instruction: With an average of 547 inches of snow annually, powder days are frequent. Learning to ski Utah powder can transform your ability.
- AltaBird exploration: A guide who intimately knows both Alta and Snowbird can show you the best of both resorts in a single day.
Alta is included on the Ikon Pass. Additionally, the AltaBird pass connects Alta and Snowbird, providing access to over 4,700 combined acres of terrain.
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Nearby
Discover more ski resorts in United States
Listed ski areas nearby include Powderbird (2 km), Snowbird (2 km), Brighton (4 km), Solitude (6 km), Park City Mountain (11 km), and Deer Valley (13 km).