Best Time to Ski Alta Resort
Alta Resort Utah harks from a time when folks lived and breathed skiing, tearing over the snow in wooden skis, clad in head-to-toe wool.
Alta’s skiers-only terrain is amongst the prettiest in Utah – and that’s saying something. Despite the resort’s high-speed lifts, it retains a rustic feel that keeps families coming back year after year. Of course, the 500+ inches of annual snowfall doesn’t hurt either.
Plus, Alta’s just a hop, skip and a skate to interconnected Snowbird Resort.
Alta Resort Utah’s Ski Season
Boasting 2,200 acres, 116 trails and plenty of off-piste powder action, Alta Resort Utah is home to a microclimate and 2,020 vertical feet of fun.
The ideal time to visit is typically mid-December through to April.
Arrive in Alta mid-December and you’re likely to enjoy early-season conditions. That’s not to say mother nature can’t be generous though, with many previous ski seasons receiving big snow totals throughout December.
January through to February sees a well-developed base, good snow totals and its fair share of bluebird days.
From March through April, you’ll usually find spring in full bloom down Alta way, bringing with it blue skies and warmer weather. Snow totals remain strong, however, thanks to frequent snow storms.
Will Alta Resort Utah Suit Me (& My Family) ?
Many incredible skiers, hooked on Alta’s world-class powder, call the resort their wintertime base. However, the Utah mainstay caters to all levels. Even on a power day, Alta is for everyone.
Alta for Beginners: Ideally the best time to ski Alta Resort if you’re a beginner is on a bluebird day. It features plenty of blue and green groomers to help you find your ski legs; a cool 25% of its terrain is designated beginners.
Thanks to the excellent signage, newbies are always aware of the easiest way down the mountain. Going one step further, most of Alta’s steep and tricky hot-spots require a step up to access them, so inexperienced skiers have to try very hard to get themselves into a terrain-inspired pickle.
Lessons are available to beginners of all ages. As an added bonus the ski school allows parental involvement for the younger skiers, so mom and dad can take away tips to help their progress outside of class.
Alta for Intermediates: Intermediate skiers also have plenty to explore both on- and off-piste. Enjoy terrain ranging from blue to chilled-out black groomed runs, wide open bowls and open, cruisy gladded meadows – all easily accessible from the lifts.
If you’re skiing with an expert who’s greedy for steeps and deeps, but you prefer to stick with the groomed trails, the beauty of Alta is a groomed trail runs alongside the majority of off-piste terrain. You can easily ski the same areas and meet back at the bottom of the lift.
Alta for Experts: Despite Alta being home to many hardcore skiers, it’s far from cliquey. Locals are more than happy to share their knowledge, tricksy inbounds, and stunning side-country.
Advanced and experts skiers head to Alta Resort because of the terrain; think super deep, dry light powder combined with steep terrain, cliffs, chutes, open bowls and tight tree runs.
An epic powder day is the best time to ski Alta Resort if you’re an expert. Arguably, you haven’t lived if you haven’t experienced Alta on a powder day.
Ski Alta Resort Utah: Après & More
While not exactly known for its wild and crazy après and bar scene, behind Alta Resort’s rustic façade are a number of respectable after-hours options.
Most of Alta’s lodges have restaurants open to guests and non-guests alike, with multi-course feasts on offer.
Wine aficionados will find plenty to ohhh and ahhh over at Alta Peruvian Lodge, and the food is sure to satisfy. Also, The Peruvian – affectionately known to locals as P-Dog – serves up spirits at a cool 8,500 feet, plus food (including free popcorn!) and a unique atmosphere with kooky decor.
Across the way from Alta Lodge is The Shallow Shaft, where you’ll come away with a happy belly and a lighter wallet thanks to the extensive wine list and fancy menu.
If you’re on a budget, tackle Alta’s bars including the Saloon at Goldminer’s Daughter and Alta Lodge’s Sitzmark.
Alta Resort Utah Lodging
There’s a sense of community to Alta Resort’s lodging that you won’t always find at other resorts.
Alta’s mountain-style accommodation includes breakfast and dinner (some even lunch!) plus lots of communal space where strangers quickly become friends.
Most rooms don’t have TVs and it’s normal for folks to sit down to meals with different groups, singles or couples. You’d have to try very hard not to make new pals on your next Alta Resort vacation.