How big is Alta?
Alta has 116 trails served by 7 lifts — 13th for trails 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
Trails
7
Lifts
10,689ft
Top
8,501ft
Base
2,188ft
Vertical
SLC
Nearest airport, 22 mi
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 8,501ft at the base to 10,689ft at the top, a vertical of 2,188ft. Of the 15 resorts we track in the USA, that is the 9th highest, with the 15th biggest vertical.
A base above 5,906ft 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 trails 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 backcountry and 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 December 2 to May 27, about 178 days.
March is the best all-round month on the record, with an average base of 49in, 31in 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), 22 mi away in a straight line. Provo Municipal (PVU) is 26 mi, Ogden Hinckley (OGD) is 46 mi. 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 ticket at Alta?
A 6-day adult Alta lift ticket costs $1,250 for 2025/26, or $208 a day. For value it ranks 10th of the 15 resorts we price in the USA.
Full lift ticket 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 CitySLC22 mi · major airport
- Provo MunicipalPVU26 mi
- Ogden HinckleyOGD46 mi
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
- 4h 35m · 1,985 mi
- Ground transfer
- 45m · 30 mi
- Total
- ≈ 5h 20m
- Fly to Provo Municipal (PVU)
- Flight
- 4h 35m · 1,980 mi
- Ground transfer
- 50m · 35 mi
- Total
- ≈ 5h 25m
- Fly to Ogden Hinckley (OGD)
- Flight
- 4h 35m · 1,980 mi
- Ground transfer
- 1h 30m · 62 mi
- Total
- ≈ 6h 5m
Estimates from straight-line distances, not timetables: flights at typical cruising speed plus taxi and climb, ground transfers at an average 40 mph. 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 ticket 2025/26
$1,2506-day adult Alta lift ticket · ≈€1,091
$208 per day · 0.8 km of trails per € · #10 of 15 for value in the USA
Dynamic pricing — book early for lower prices
13value scorePremium price
Alta trail map 2025/26
2025/26 seasonThe official Alta trail map, published by Alta Ski Area. It shows every run, lift and sector across 116 trails served by 7 lifts, from 8,501ft at the base to 10,689ft at the summit.
Always check the resort's live trail status before setting off. Runs shown on a map are not necessarily open, and backcountry 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 level
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 ticket pricesDay and multi-day ticket prices, how they have changed, and value for money
- Alta backcountry & off-piste guideWhere the powder is, which lift to take and the avalanche risk
- 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.