Wasatch Mountain Hiking

The ridge at the end of the Silver Fork trail.

The trails in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons provide access to spectacular views of the surrounding mountains as well as the Salt Lake Valley.  Both canyons are located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which has an extensive trail system in the canyons.

These trails are easily accessed from nearby Salt Lake City and surrounding areas. The convenient location offers respite from city life to locals who take the opportunity to hike before or after work.  If going out on a weekend, an early start will put you ahead of most hikers during the cooler time of day. Week days tend to be more quiet on the trail.

 As soon as the snow melts at the end of May and first part of June, flowers begin to emerge alongside the trails and soon meadows flourish with color.

Take advantage of the beautiful summer season in the mountains, even if it's just an afternoon drive.  For information on recreating activities in the local area, visit the Salt Lake Ranger District's web page.
 

Walking the ridge that separates
Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons

Descent back to trailhead

Almost there

Open for Summer Season

June 2 kicked off our summer season with our first Sunday Brunch, which featured some new items on our menu. Guests were pleased to see grilled salmon with ponzu sauce, spinach quiche, yam and kale breakfast strata, chicken tikka masala and corned beef hash. Fresh new salads and tasty desserts have been added to menu as well. Sunday Brunch is served from 9:30 am to 2 pm. Prices are: adults - $22.95, children: ages 7-12 - $12.95, ages 6 & under - $5.95.  We also feature live jazz with Keven Johansen & Tully Cathey. Cocktails, wine and beer are available beginning at 11:30 am.

The south facing slope across from Alta Lodge is snow free and we encourage hikers to join us for brunch before or after hiking. Spend the night on Saturday and Sunday Brunch is included with your stay. Room rates for two begin at $114.

Beginning June 16, we will also be open for lunch on Saturdays from 11:30 am - 2 pm.  Or stop in for appetizers and a beer.

Wrap Up of 75th Season

As the landmark 75th season winds down, we recall some of the stellar points during the past winter.

There was that 51-inch "lake effect" storm that came November 10 & 11, just before the season opening on November 16.  It was a great "powder" kick-off for the opening weekend.

January was especially cold but we benefited from sunny days to help us feel a little warmer.  The majority of the snow came towards the end of the month. Alta celebrated the 75th in January with fireworks and lot of birthday related happenings,including a book launch of "Generations of Alta" a pictorial journal through Alta’s History.

Chef Sam Wolfe brought exciting new items to the menu this season to the delight of Alta Lodge foodies: Grilled Piedmontese Flat Iron Steak With Chimichurri Sauce, braised Moroccan Spiced Lamb Shank in Tomato Red Wine Sauce, Pappardelle Pasta with Manila Clams and Baja Shrimp in Garlic White Wine Sauce and KurobotaPork Osso Bucco 


Powder storms and sunny days gave Altacam.com plenty of material over the winter and the footage pretty well captured what the day's skiing was like when they were out shooting.  For Alta fans, it's a great way to see what the conditions are like if you aren't skiing that day. 


We enjoyed sunny days in March, spring skiing, outdoor dining and longer day light hours. The traditional Alta in April was a two-week event with all kinds of discounts, a free demo day, the Alta Gala and skier reunions. 






When the season finally wrapped up on April 28, Alta had received 449 inches of snow and as of today, if you are ambitious enough to do some hiking, you can still ski all the way to the bottom of the mountain.







We start our summer season this coming weekend with
Sunday Brunch and look forward to snow melt and wildflower season.

About Last Weekend

On the way to Gunsight Apr. 21

Ballroom on Sunday around 10 am

Traversing to a good line

It was a great run!

Some of the best spring skiing days seem to be at the end of the season this year.  A Saturday storm as well as a couple of storms earlier in the week brought a Sunday powder surprise.  A breezy morning kept the snow cold and conditions were very good in the morning. Because more skiers than expected showed up, the ski area ran Wildcat chairlift later in the morning.

Following an early start, some side stepping, a few traveses and lots of turns, it was time for lunch at Watson Shelter.  Wish you were here? There's one more weekend left with lift access to ski on a base of 100+ inches.

Alta Reopens On Friday

Today at Sunnyside
photo:Alta Ski Area web cam

While Alta Lodge has been getting ready for summer season, it has been snowing all week!  Over a foot feel at the fist of the week and seven more inches were reported this morning. Since Alta lift operations stopped during week days, skiers have been skinning up the hill and getting in lots of fresh, untracked powder. Cold temperatures will prevail for the rest of week which will keep the snow nice for weekend skiers.

Marc Guido from First Tracks Online posted some great photos from yesterday at Snowbird, which still has lift access seven days a week.

Alta lifts reopen on Friday for the weekend with Sunnyside and Collins. There are special pricing options for non-season pass holders. Pack a lunch or grab something on the hill.

The Last week of Winter Season

Nothing but fun in store for lodge guests during the last week of winter with us this season.  Fresh powder was there to ski on Monday and then another 12 inches was reported Tuesday morning!  Skier reports said today yielded plenty of powder turns if you were at Alta. Wednesday is going to a clear day with plenty of sunshine.

Our friends from North Country School alumni return every year at this time to get together for skiing fun.  Located in Lake Placid, New York, the school was founded in 1938, about the same time Alta Ski Area started.  Generations of families have attend the school (not unlike generations of families that come to Alta Lodge every year!) In fact, Alta's own Mimi Levitt learned to ski as a child when she attended North Country School.

Apres ski on the deck with Gregg Davis.

Spring celebration continues throughout the week with apres ski wine tasting. We hope to put on our
famous mountain picnic in our TBD "secret" location. And of course the main reason people are here is for Alta's great skiing, especially so with a base of over 100 inches of snow. There aren't too many ski areas can claim that this time of year.

So if you're the last minute type and looking for a good excuse to get in one more ski trip, lift tickets are $55 if you have a season's pass from somewhere else.  And if you can't make one more trip this season, start planning now for next season because it will be here before you know it!

April Fools: Spring?

Just as you think spring is here with plenty of sunshine and the need for lots of sun screen, surprise! It's winter again.  Yes, that's how it is in the mountains and we all know what they say about April showers except here it is "snow" showers.  In the next day or two, Alta could receive 6-12 inches followed by a day of sunshine and then more snow.  So for that spring skiing trip at Alta, be prepared for warm days and possible snow showers too.

April is also a good time for reduced pricing for lift tickets and specials like Kids' Stay Free in April . We're expecting more sunny days for our Spring Celebration and mountain picnics.

The latest Alta Powder News Spring Edition is not to be missed!  This special, in-depth historical edition is full of interesting information and factoids for all of those that have an affinity for Alta. 

Springtime!

Yes, it's that time of year and since we're located at 8,500 feet, we still get powder storms in late March and April.  It's snowing today and Alta could receive 10 inches the next couple of days.  The Wasatch Snow Forecast tells us to:  "expect temperatures to turn much colder tomorrow after today’s rain showers with snow likely at times both in the valleys and in the mountains.  By the time the ridge finally cuts off the flow next week, areas favored by the northwest wind direction could be looking at decent accumulations.  Today may be the first day of astronomical Spring, but you’ll quickly find out that Winter isn’t done yet."

If you're headed our way, be sure to bring your warm clothing as the high for Friday is expected to be 12 degrees...a far cry from last Friday's high of 50+ degrees!

Alta in April

Spring at Alta

Have you made your annual trek to Alta this season?  Or are you ready for a return visit this spring? April is a great time of year to get in a spring skiing trip and we have a few reasons that should convince you!

1. longer daylight 
2. warmer temperatures
3. mountain picnics
4. apres ski wine and cheese
5. free demo day April 6
6. kids' ski rentals free at Deep Powder House (140 cm and under)
7. Kids 12 & under stay free
8. Alta in April Events April 1-13
9. Discounted ticket prices if you have a season pass from somewhere else 
10. The skiing is pretty darn good too. Need we say more?

We've had some fun on the slopes over the past week.  Not only did we get more snow, we got more snow with sunny days in between storms.  It's hard not to like those kind of conditions, as one of our guests commented this morning, "there's nothing like champagne powder on a sunny day."  We've got a video from from altacamcom of yesterday's 5 inches that shows how sweet the skiing was or should I say "creamy"...?

High Rustler at Alta Ski Area

Starting on Wednesday, the weather will shake things up again for us and bring three more days of snow, inching us closer and closer to that magic 100-inch base. It's only a number but it means deep snow and even more coverage for exciting skiing in places like Baldy Chutes, Devils Castle, High Rustler and more.

Forty Years Ago

Tea time occurs daily in the Alta Lodge Deck Room where guests will find freshly brewed tea, hot and beverages and baked treats. This week I met Bean Granger and Lyn and John Egsgard and sat down and had a chat with them and discovered all of them have been staying at the Lodge for 40 years.

Bean and her husband David and the Egsgards have been guests at Alta Lodge since 1973, returning every winter during the same week in February.  Both couples now have grown children but when the children were young, the entire family came to stay at the Lodge and ski Alta. The Grangers found their way to Alta Lodge through a friend's referral although David first came to Alta in 1946 with his father who was with the Forest Service.

The Egsgards came to Alta Lodge for their honeymoon when they were married in 1973.  "I came out to Alta earlier that season for skiing and made a reservation for our February honeymoon," recalled John. They have been coming ever since.  When their now grown children were young, the family stayed in the Swiss room.  "I would take the youngest one in the backpack to ski and they would pull on my ear to indicate which way to go," added John.

The conversation turned to why they like to Alta Lodge and what keeps them returning annually.  All remarked on the proximity to Salt Lake International Airport as being a large part of why they come to Alta. What makes the Alta Lodge so special for all is the informality of the Lodge, the sociable aspect of the environment and the opportunity to meet others while they are staying at the Lodge.

Mother Nature Still Bringing Snow

The past week brought many sunny days, buffed slopes and great conditions for the President's Day holiday that extended into the week for many.  It started snowing again yesterday and Alta is expecting to receive more snow throughout the next week.  This morning we received seven inches of new snow. The historical average snowfall at Alta for the month of March is 99 inches, which means we are anticipating more powder skiing next month.  

Alta Ski Area has reformatted some historic skiing footage shot in the 1940's into a digital format.  Alf Engen is the featured skier and the powder turns he makes are beautiful, especially when you recall they were skiing on very long, narrow, wooden skis. We'll share some of those videos with you in this blog post.  Last week Alta Generations, a spiral bound picture book of Alta over the years, was launched for sale to the public. Photos include the original Collins single chair and the Germania chair with the wooden unloading station and large concrete counterweight.  The book holds lots of fond memories for many Alta skiers.

What a Week it Was!

Photo Credit: Addison Price

Last week was one of those "epic" ski weeks with lots of snow day after day.  From Jan. 27-31, 36 inches of snow fell and it was the type of snow that yielded comments like: "best day of the season for me.." from a long-time season holder to "Today was the greatest ski day of my entire life!  That's saying a lot, considering I live in Utah and ski over a 120 days a year." from Ski Utah blogger Matt Baydala.

Figure Eights: Sheridan showed us how it's done!
photo credit: Gregg Davis

The joy of skiing at Alta during and after a good powder storm infected everyone who skied last week.  A memorable week with more to come as we enter into the second half of the ski season.

January ending

The end of January wrapped up with a full house of skiers at Alta Lodge, a lot of them here for the 7th annual Women's Ski Camp.  January brought some chilly days but also some very warm days with lots of sunshine.

It's hard to believe we are coming to February in just a few days.The winter season has a way of flying by pretty quickly at Alta with day after day of skiing.  Still, there are two and half more months of skiing and there is lots of snow still to fall.

This week looks like it is shaping up to be a week with some good storms headed our way. If you are one of those skiers that follows the storms and gets on plane when a storm comes in, this would be the week to make that plan.

Alta's 75th Birthday Party

January 15, 2013:  The sun had dipped well below the horizon, plunging Little Cottonwood Canyon into near darkness. Guests, employees, and locals alike crowded in front of available south-facing windows throughout the Lodge, eager to reserve a position for optimal viewing of Alta’s 75^th anniversary torchlight ceremony. In unison, five dozen neon red torches came to life. Hundreds of pairs of eyes gazed up to Alta’s high rustler as a giant, glowing “75” formed atop the famous ski run.      

On Sunday, January 15, 75 years ago, Alta Ski Area opened its slopes to the public, unveiling a newly constructed single Collins Chairlift. On opening day, a day pass cost $1.50, a single chair ride 25 cents. The chairlift was constructed out of a refurbished formed mining tram and was the second chairlift to debut in the U.S., opening within a year after Timberline’s groundbreaking “Magic Mile”.

As Alta commemorates the 75^th season, it is important to appreciate what has and has not changed about this place we love. Alta has kept up with advances in chairlift technology, upgrading outdated chairlifts and expanding into new terrain to enhance our skiing experience. Likewise, Alta has embraced grooming technology, providing skiers with fresh corduroy to complement its plethora of off-piste terrain.

But what makes Alta so special, so unique is that it has been able to upgrade and enhance the skiing experience without sacrificing its soul. No, there is no “ski-village”, no expanse of looming condos or elaborate private homes in Albion Basin. And yes, if you want to access some of North America’s best terrain, you will have to traverse and maybe even side-step to it.  

Happy 75^th Anniversary, Alta! To 75 more amazing years.

The Girls at Alta

Even though the ratio of men to women skiers at Alta is 4-1 (so we're told), you'll find a lot of ladies out there on the mountain. If you're a woman looking for some new female ski buddies, Ski with the Girls meets every Tuesday at 9:30 at Badly Brew on the lower level of Watson Shelter.  Some of the group will ski off trail, others on the groomed slopes around the mountain.  It's a great way to have fun and meet new ski friends.

Our two Women's Ski Camps for intermediate-advanced skiers have become so popular and successful that we needed to add one for advanced-expert skiers.  Many women come back every year to reconnect with friends they met at a previous camp. The three-day/four-night immersion camps are fun with groups quickly building camaraderie while learning to become better skiers. Instructors join in for  apres ski and dinner.

See you out on the slopes!

Kurobuta Pork Osso Buco

Chef Sam Wolfe has been showcasing some new items on our own nightly menu this season.  Kurobuta Pork Osso Buco is one of those items.  When most people think of osso buco, they think of veal shanks, so pork is a different twist.  But this isn't just any pork, it's "Kurobuta" pork.

Kurobuta pork is a Japanese name for Berkshire pork that comes from a rare breed of pigs, dating back over 300 years to the English House of Windsor. Korobuta means "the black pig" and probably refers to the darker color of this pork. It is the highest quality of pork and, like its beef analogue Wagyu beef, it is known for its meat marbling.

Kurobuta pork is not something that you are likely to find in your local grocery store.  It is a specialty item that is challenging to find. Which means it is all that more special when you see it on a menu and more so when prepared osso bucco or braised. The meat really does fall off the bone and practically melts in your mouth with eat bite.

Chef Sam Wolfe and his staff really bowled us over this week with this new item and the memory of the taste is still lingering...

Skiing with the Kids

Like many skiers who become parents, you can't wait for the day until you can actually ski with your kids.  Before that happens, parents might enlist the help of ski school lessons or the brave ones attempt to teach their kids to ski.  Eventually, the kids "get it" and start making turns, want to ski more and can finally ski with you! Maybe it's only two or three runs, in for some hot cocoa and then out for two or three more, but you're finally skiing together. If you were brought up skiing with your family, it brings back fun memories or if you started skiing as an adult, you're ready to start your own family ski memories.

Our Ski Utah blogger friend Jodi Saeland is having fun with her two young children this winter.  She shares their Christmas Eve ski day at Alta with us in her blog and video.

Powder Dreams for Christmas

The skiing over the weekend was on smooth, wind blown pockets of silky snow on slopes perfectly positioned to collect the snow.  The sun was out most of each day, making great conditions with beautiful mountain views. Today is a different story with heavy snow falling since the first of the morning, bringing the season's total snowfall to 160 inches. The storm will continue throughout the day and evening, just in time to bring lots of fresh powder for skiing on Christmas day.

Alta Lodge elves have been busy getting ready for Santa Claus. Following a "good night's sleep", excited boys and girls will be greeted by Santa on Christmas morning in the Lobby.  The excitement won't end there as the rest of the day will bring partially sunny skies and powder skiing.

Snow--it's getting deeper

Powder hungry Alta skiers were lined up waiting for the lifts to open following the series of snow storms that came to Little Cottonwood Canyon last weekend.  Each day brought lots of fresh powder and the cycle continued into Monday.  In the past week, Alta has received 41 inches of snow and now has settled snow depth of 65 inches.  The buzz that was generated as a result of these storms was huge - lots of powder skiing face shots, a sweet video from altacamcom and numerous Facebook posts.  We're still smiling about all the new snow and enjoying skiing in the sunshine today.

Afternoon Tea

Each afternoon, Alta Lodge serves tea, coffee, hot chocolate and fruit drinks in the Deck Room.  Fresh baked goods accompany this long tradition of afternoon tea. This afternoon Ketner was pouring Earl Grey tea, served with chocolate raisin biscotti and blueberry bread. We met two guests who had both just arrived for a five day stay. I discovered one gentleman first started staying with us in 1958 and the other started coming in 1967.  They are long time friends and always come in December, usually with other family members. They're still die-hard skiers after all these years--they must have "Alta" in their blood!

Family Trip to Alta

Alta's getting more snow this week and will be have all lifts open this weekend.  With 95% of the runs open, early season skiing is off to a good start.  Our early season special-- Kids Free--runs through December 15, 2012. With a four night minimum stay, two kids ages 12 and under can stay in the same room with their parents, with breakfast and dinner included at no extra charge.  This represents a savings of up to $200 per day. Wondering how to outfit your kids each season?  Jodi Sealand, a blogger with Ski Utah and the mother of two young children, offers some practical pointers.

Known for powder skiing, Alta has great beginner and intermediate level runs in Albion Basin.  In fact, 25% of the runs are beginner or "green" runs and 40% are intermediate or "blue" runs. Alf Engen Ski School is located next to the Albion Day Lodge--a convenient location for beginner skiers to start their ski day.  Our Kids Club staff will shuttle your children to ski school from the lodge in the morning and then pick them up when lessons are finished--a nice convenience for mom and dad.

Our friend Kristin Lummis (Brave Ski Mom) and her family stayed with us last week.  Kristin chronicled their experience in her blog post "Making Memories at Alta Lodge".

We look forward to seeing you this winter when you'll be making memories of your own.

Packing for Your Ski Vacation

One of the challenging aspects of taking a ski vacation is packing.  With skis, boots, poles, helmet, cold weather clothing and apres ski clothing, it can be overwhelming, especially if you last vacation was at the beach. There are ways to simplify the process, starting with a list.  Mike Doyle from about.com has put together some good tips to help make the process a little easier. 

Something worth considering is leaving your skis at home and renting skis. Bringing boots not only saves on juggling a ski bag with your other luggage but will also save you an extra baggage fee that many airlines charge.  Most ski shops carry high end demo skis and many offer discounted rates for consecutive days. The Powder House is adjacent to Alta Lodge and has a wide range of skis available.

Even the best of us leave items off the list and if you unpack and discover you forgot your toothbrush or sunscreen, you can always pick up those items at the Alta Store next to the locker room.

Winter Season is Here

Alta Ski Area opened for the season on November 16th this season after a 51-inch storm dumped on Alta the previous weekend.  Although the lifts weren't open that weekend, plenty of skiers and snow shoe hikers got out to enjoy the first big storm of the season.  When Alta opened on Friday, it was as always, meet with enthusiastic Alta skiers.

The sunny skies and fair weather over the past week or so will be disappearing at the end of the week as new storm moves into the area Friday evening.  Funny how our phones start ringing more when that happens--the word gets out pretty quick. If you want to see what it looks like at Alta, we have a new web cam with live time viewing on the left side of our home page.

This is a special season for Alta as it marks the 75th anniversary of the ski area. Not too many places in North America can lay claim to that kind of skiing history. When you're at Alta this year, take a look for the 75th bumper stickers and pins--they're keepsakes. Another thing to look for will be the Alta Anniversary Ale.  It's on tap in the Sitzmark and available for purchase in many Salt Lake area grocery stores.

First Snow of the Season

It's said we almost always get snow in September at Alta and with less than a week left this month, we were eager for the first storm.  Late yesterday and this morning rain was forecasted with possible snow in higher elevations.  Mother Nature came through with fresh snow this morning at the top of the mountain--Sugarloaf and Greely--as observed from photos on Alta's mountain cameras.

How does that translate to us skiers? It's a reminder to get with it on ski conditioning, get your bindings checked, tune/wax your skis, find your car's snow scraper and then start counting the days...it's sooner than you think and being prepared will make that first day so much sweeter!