Along with fellow Utah resort Deer Valley and Mad River Glen in Vermont, access is limited to skiers only. Lifts rise from two separate areas, Albion and Wildcat, with a bi-directional rope tow linking the two so as to avoid the arduous task of having to pole along the flat valley floor.
The terrain is 25 per cent beginner, 40 per cent intermediate, and 35 per cent advanced. Alta has legendary steep terrain including the renowned High Rustler which drops down a central spur of the main spine between the ski fields’ two major bowls. Everyone wants to say they have skied this one. There are 10 lifts (including the conveyor on the valley floor) serving 2200 acres (890 hectares) of terrain, and rising from an 8,530 feet (2,600 m) base to a top elevation of just over 10,500 feet (3200m).
The Wildcat base is aptly named, with the Collins and Wildcat lifts accessing a huge variety of black diamond runs, including the ones for which Alta is most famous such as High Greeley, Lone Pine, and the Rustler selection of steep drops. These two lifts also access a smattering of blue slopes
Intermediate and beginner skiing is concentrated above the Albion Base area. Here the slopes a prettily wooded, the groomers wending their way through the forest as well as large open expanses. Families are well-catered for with programs like Ski After 3 which gives children access to the rope tows for just $10, and the Alta Childcare Centre which can take those as young as six weeks and up to 9 years of age.
Thankfully there is no possibility of coming across anything beyond a skier’s ability as black and double black diamond terrain and a few blue runs are confined directly above, accessed only by either the Supreme and Sugarloaf lifts, and as mentioned, over on the Collins and Wildcat lifts which are advanced to expert only.
Mountain Stats
| Skiable Terrain | 2,200 acres (890 hectares) |
| Vertical | 616 m (2,020 ft) |
| Top Elevation | 3,216 m (10,550 ft) |
| Base Elevation | 2,600 m (8,530 ft) |
| Average Snowfall | 1305 cm(514 in/42 ft) |
| Beginner Terrain | 25% |
| Intermediate Terrain | 40% |
| Advanced Terrain | 35% |
| Trails | 116+ |
| Winter lifts Total | 10 |
| Chair Lifts | 6 |
| Surface Lifts | 4 |
| Longest Run | 2 km (1.3 mi) |
| Snowmaking | 140 ac (56 hectares) |
| Season Opens | December |
| Season Closes | May |