How big is Alta?
Alta has 116 pistes served by 7 lifts — 13th for pistes of the 15 resorts we track in the USA. On lifts it ranks 15th of the 15.
Alta resort guide
Utah, USA
Legendary powder and skiers-only tradition
Alta at a glance
116
Pistes
7
Lifts
3,258m
Top
2,591m
Base
667m
Vertical
SLC
Nearest airport, 36 km
25% beginner40% intermediate35% advanced
Alta is legendary for its deep powder snow, skiers-only tradition, and challenging terrain in Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Your questions about Alta, answered
How high is Alta?
The lifts run from 2591m at the base to 3258m at the top, a vertical of 667m. Of the 15 resorts we track in the USA, that is the 9th highest, with the 15th biggest vertical.
A base above 1,800m is high by Alpine standards, so the runs back to the village hold their snow better than at lower resorts.
Is Alta good for beginners or experts?
The pistes at Alta split 25% beginner, 40% intermediate and 35% advanced, against an average of 19% beginner and 42% advanced across the resorts we track in the USA.
On those numbers it suits confident skiers and riders looking for steep terrain.
For off-piste, our guide documents 6 zones at Alta, with the lift to take and the avalanche risk for each.
When is the ski season at Alta?
Over the last ten winters Alta has typically held skiable snow at mid-mountain from around 2 December to 27 May, about 178 days.
March is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 124cm, 80cm of new snow and 5.6 bluebird days.
Month-by-month snow history →What is the nearest airport to Alta?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Salt Lake City (SLC), 36km away in a straight line. Provo Municipal (PVU) is 42km, Ogden Hinckley (OGD) is 74km. Road distances are longer, often much longer in the mountains, and the nearest airport is not always the one with the most flights.
How much is a lift pass at Alta?
A 6-day adult Alta lift ticket costs US$1,250 for 2025/26, or US$208 a day. For value it ranks 10th of the 15 resorts we price in the USA.
Full lift pass prices and history →Airports near Alta
Airports with scheduled flights, nearest first. Distances are straight-line; by road they are longer, and in the mountains often much longer.
- Salt Lake CitySLC36 km · major airport
- Provo MunicipalPVU42 km
- Ogden HinckleyOGD74 km
Travel time to Alta
Pick the airport you fly from for an estimate of the journey to the resort.
- Fly to Salt Lake City (SLC)Quickest
- Flight
- 10h 20m · 7,811 km
- Transfer by road
- 45m · 49 km
- Total
- ≈ 11h 5m
- Fly to Provo Municipal (PVU)
- Flight
- 10h 20m · 7,847 km
- Transfer by road
- 50m · 57 km
- Total
- ≈ 13h 40m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
- Fly to Ogden Hinckley (OGD)
- Flight
- 10h 15m · 7,777 km
- Transfer by road
- 1h 30m · 100 km
- Total
- ≈ 14h 15m
Likely needs a connection: 2h 30m added
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, transfers at an average 65 km/h by road. They leave out check-in and baggage time, and mountain roads in snow can take much longer. Check with airlines and transfer companies before booking.
Alta lift pass 2025/26
US$1,2506-day adult Alta lift ticket · ≈£937
US$208 per day · 0.8 km of piste per € · #10 of 15 for value in the USA
Dynamic pricing — book early for lower prices
13value scorePremium price
Alta piste map 2025/26
2025/26 seasonThe official Alta piste map, published by Alta Ski Area. It shows every run, lift and sector across 116 pistes served by 7 lifts, from 2,591m at the base to 3,258m at the top.
Always check the resort's live piste status before setting off. Runs shown on a map are not necessarily open, and off-piste terrain is never patrolled unless the map says so.
Why go to Alta
- Legendary deep powder snow
- Skiers-only tradition
- Challenging terrain
- Excellent snow conditions
- Less crowded
- Authentic atmosphere
Things to know
- Skiers only - no snowboarders
- Very challenging - not beginner friendly
- Limited beginner terrain
- Weather can be extreme
- Requires advanced skills
Skiing and snowboarding Alta by ability
Beginners
Alta is NOT recommended for beginners. The resort has very limited beginner terrain and most slopes are challenging. If you're a beginner, consider starting at a more beginner-friendly resort first.
Intermediates
Intermediate skiers should be cautious at Alta. While there are some intermediate runs, the resort is primarily known for advanced and expert terrain. Consider taking lessons and stick to marked intermediate pistes.
Advanced
Alta is a paradise for advanced skiers! The resort offers some of the best powder skiing in America, with challenging terrain, steep chutes, and legendary expert runs. Perfect for experienced skiers seeking deep powder.
Our take on Alta
Food & dining
Après-ski
Price level
Mid-range
Facilities
Official resort website: alta.com
More on Alta
- Alta snow reportLive conditions, snow depth and the 7-day forecast by elevation
- Alta snow historyTen seasons of snowfall, snow depth, powder days and when the season ends
- Alta lift pass pricesDay and week pass prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Alta off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- Alta off-piste guidesMountain guides and schools offering off-piste, touring and heli-skiing here.
- Ski resorts in the USALive snow reports and a map of resorts, cities and airports in the USA
Ski resorts near Alta
Distances are straight-line, not by road.