Bringing the whole family on a ski trip?
Awesome. We’ve got heaps of ideas for how to keep the fun going all day long.
Alta is fun for the whole family. Whether your kids are new to skiing or tackling the steepest slopes on the mountain, there are runs for every age and ability. We offer shuttles from the Alta Lodge over to the Alf Engen Ski School at the Albion base area to make a day of lessons even easier. The ski school offers group and private lessons for kids, adults, or the whole family. And if they’re not tired out from a day of skiing, there are fun things for children to do after skiing at the Alta Lodge, too.
Here are some of our favorite things for kids to do at Alta:
Lap the Lodge Tow
Yes, there are 2,614 acres of world-class skiable terrain at Alta, but you know what kids love the most? The slope right in front of our lodge. The Lodge Tow is a poma surface lift that transports skiers from the Wildcat base area up to the front door of the Alta Lodge. But it’s a fun short pitch for younger skiers to enjoy on repeat, too.
Ride the Transfer Tow
The Transfer Tow is essentially a people mover from Alta’s one base area to the other. Adults ride it out of necessity. Kids though? They love the simple joy of grabbing onto a moving rope tow across the flats. Hold on and enjoy the ride.
Take in the View from the Top of Sugarloaf
You cannot beat the view of the Wasatch range from the top of the Sugarloaf lift on a clear day. From this vantage point at 10,595 feet, you’ll get a panoramic vista of Superior Peak across the road from Alta, as well as Flagstaff Mountain, Wolverine Peak, and our closest summit, Mount Baldy.
Ski Rollercoaster
Done taking in the view? Now it’s time to soar down the mountain. From the top of Sugarloaf, intermediate to advanced skiers can head toward Roller Coaster, one of the longest blue runs at Alta and arguably the most fun run for kids, thanks to zooming twists and turns through the trees. It’s got a few steep sections up top, followed by a long, mellower runout toward the bottom.
Find the Best Hot Chocolate on the Mountain
Nothing says ski day like a midday hot chocolate. Though every mid-mountain and base area lodge serves a good hot chocolate, you can’t beat the steaming drinking chocolate served at Baldy Brews, on the bottom floor of the mid-mountain Watson Shelter, accessible via the Collins lift. Be sure to ask for extra whipped cream.
Get a Ski-Up Waffle
When Cecret Coffee opened in the base of Alf’s Restaurant (accessible from the Sugarloaf, Supreme and Sunnyside lifts), it offered a ski-up coffee window for those passing by and needing a quick pick-me-up. Kids will love it for the hot-off-the-griddle waffles, hot chocolate, and the sneaky, almost hidden nature of this botton-floor café.
Spot a Porcupine
Who knew these prickly creatures could be so cute! Our local residents like to hang out in the trees off of Sunnyside and Supreme in Albion Basin. If you keep on the lookout, you might just find one snacking in a tree, looking for bird seed, or traversing a slope.
Race Each Other
For a little healthy competition, head to the Race Course Hill off the Sunnyside lift. This public race course is open to everyone on Saturdays and select Fridays starting in January through late March. Cost to race is $5 per run or $10 for unlimited runs. Now let’s see who’s the fastest in your family.
Sign up for Alta Lodge Kids’ Club
Guests of the Alta Lodge between the ages of 4 and 12 are invited to join our complimentary Kids’ Club for after-ski programming from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Guests younger than 4 are welcome to join, though they must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult). Under the supervision of our Kids’ Club staff, kids can enjoy games, arts and crafts, sledding, movie nights, and a kids’-only dinner, served in the dining room at 5:30 p.m.
And don’t forget, Kids Stay Free in our Early and Spring seasons!
Photo Credits: Photo John Shafer (family ski photos)
