The perfect encore.
That's a wrap on another memorable season at Alta Ski Area—a season that delivered 628 inches of snow, plenty of powder days and a return to "normal" at the end of Highway 210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon. This season was the encore to last season's record-shattering 903-inch winter. While we were ready for Mother Nature's encore we clicked into our skis with equal parts stoke and trepidation. Why trepidation? Because the 2022–23 winter pushed the limits of snowfall and showed us that too much snow can actually be too much of a good thing.
This encore of a season was near perfect. 628 inches of snow provided Alta skiers ample days to hone their powder skiing craft, plentiful wall-to-wall terrain openings from Mount Baldy's bootpack to East Castle's sidestep and a fun spring skiing season filled with bluebird days and soft turns.
Alta Ski Area received a mind-blowing 1,531 inches of snow over the past two seasons.
Reliving the 2023–24 Season
Let’s do a deep dive into Alta's snowfall history and our Photo of the Day Archive and see how this season compares to the months and winters in Alta’s storied—and snowy—history.
- October | 21.5 inches >
- November | 44.5 inches >
- December | 88 inches >
- January | 140.5 inches >
- February | 154.5 inches >
- March | 131 inches >
- April | 41 inches >
- Season Total | 628 inches >
OCTOBER 2023 | 21.5 INCHES OF SNOW—81% of Average
October got off to a snowy start as the first top-to-bottom snowfall at Alta Ski Area occurred on October 2nd. The snow melted quickly and the slopes were again bare—save for the breathtaking fall foliage—when 13.5 inches of snow fell between October 10th and 12th.
October 12th: Fall snow-liage | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
This early snowfall on fall colors created some beautiful scenery and provided the first few inches of base depth for the season as another October storm delivered 7.5 inches of snow and sub-freezing temperatures that allowed Alta's snowmaking teams to get to work for the season.
In total, Alta Ski Area received 21.5 inches of snow in October, 81% of our 43-year average (26.6”). October water clocked in at 3.12 inches, 103% of the 43-year average for October of (3.02”).
NOVEMBER 2023 | 44.5 INCHES OF SNOW—62% of Average
The first two weeks of November started fairly mild—aside from one 11-inch storm—and our Alta’s planned Opening Day was delayed a week while we waited for Old Man Winter to return to his beloved Little Cottonwood Canyon. The one-week delay paid off as two quick-hitting storms dropped another 33.5 inches of snow and we kicked off the season with an Opening Day powder day.
November 25th: Karl Fostvedt dives into Opening Day | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
In total, November 2023 saw 44.5 inches of snow, 62% of the 43-year average (71.3”). November water totaled 5.19 inches, 84% of the 43-year average (6.2”).
DECEMBER 2023 | 88 INCHES OF SNOW—97% of Average
The calendar flipped to December and an atmospheric river dropped 48 inches of snow from 4.81 inches of water. The storm began on Friday, December 1st, delivering 16.5 inches of four-percent density snow and our first deep powder turns of the season.
December 3rd: Parkin Costain and Jake Hopfinger bop through the first storm of December | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
The next two days saw temperatures climb as the snow kept falling. December 2nd and 3rd brought another 39 inches of dense, base-building snow. The upside-down storm overwhelmed our fragile early-season snowpack. Without a big preseason storm cycle, the snow that fell in October and November often sat through stretches of cold and clear nights that drew moisture and structure from the snowpack. The flakes slowly faceted, weakening the bonds in the snowpack. When Old Man Winter added another four feet of snow and nearly five inches of water to the mix, Alta Ski Patrol helped initiate our first major avalanche cycle of the season.
December 5th: Early-season avalanche debris on the Backside | Photo: Chloe Jimenez
A two-day storm on December 7th and 8th dropped another 28.5 inches of snow at Alta. Supreme lift opened for the season on Saturday, December 9th—a bluebird powder day that provided some of the best turns of the early season. Catherine's Area and Supreme Bowl opened on December 12th as Alta Ski Area crossed the century mark with over 100 open runs.
December 9th: A bluebird powder day opening of Supreme | Photos: Photo-John
After a snowy start to the month, the Alta snow globe again sat idle—between December 9th and January 3rd, the Collins Study Plot saw just 8.5 inches of snow. While not the longest dry spell in recent years, it was a far cry from the never-ending snowfall we witnessed during the record-breaking 903-inch season of 2022–23. Fortunately, it would prove to be the driest stretch in a very snowy season.
December wrapped up with 88 inches of snow—97% of the 43-year average December snowfall (90.62”). December water tallied 7.68 inches, 106% of the 43-year average (7.22”).
January 2024 | 140.5 inches of snow—149% of Average
Snow made its long-awaited return on Thursday, January 4th, delivering 30.5 inches of snow through a powder-filled first weekend of 2024.
January 6th: Jascha Herlihy enjoys her well-timed return to Alta | Photo: Photo-John
The snow continued to fall throughout the second week of January as a cold snap embraced Little Cottonwood Canyon. Skiers who braved the coldest weather of the season were rewarded with some great powder skiing as Alta Ski Patrol worked through the frigid temperatures to open additional terrain.
January 8th: Alta-raised Jacqueline Pollard is no stranger to the cold—or deep powder snow | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
As the cold snap left town, a long-duration storm system took its place heading into the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend. The storm ushered in plenty of snow and wind, providing great storm skiing and wind-buffed snow.
January 11th: New Hampshire native Nicole Cordingley is just stoked to be here | Photo: Chloe Jimenez
January 11th: Colorado native Piper Kunst knows to find shelter from the storm in the trees | Photo: Chloe Jimenez
Following a few days of powder and wind buff, Interlodge went into effect in the early hours of Sunday morning as Alta Ski Patrol and the Utah Department of Transportation Avalanche crews went to work mitigating a rapidly increasing avalanche hazard. As the storm raged on, the decision was made to keep Highway 210 and Alta Ski Area closed for the day. Interlodge remained in place for the night and into the MLK Holiday.
January 12th: Town of Alta employee Connor Worth clears snow in a snowstorm | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
Around 10am on Monday, January 15th—after a long morning of avalanche mitigation and digging out—Highway 210 opened, a 34-hour Interlodge order lifted and skiers enjoyed a beautiful day of fresh snow and sunshine.
January 15th: Ross Tester may have gone a little stir-crazy during the 34-hour Interlodge | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
The 85-inch MLK Weekend storm—between Tuesday, January 9th through Monday, January 15th—was the second-snowiest single storm in the past 20 years.
January 15th: Buried cars in the Wildcat lot | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
The break in the weather was short-lived. Alta Ski Area, residents, visitors and employees in the town of Alta had just 36 hours to ski some powder and dig out their vehicles before another storm dropped 11.5 inches of snow. Two more storms combined to deliver 13.5 inches of snow to close out the month
In total, Alta Ski Area received 140.5 inches of snow in January—149% of Alta’s 43-year average January snowfall of (94.4”). January water totaled 11.47 inches, 151% of the 43-year average (7.60”).
The snowy January made up for what had been a slow start to the season. By January 31st, Alta’s season-to-date snowfall of 294.5 inches had eclipsed the 43-year average October through January snowfall of 282.97 inches (104%).
February 2024 | 154.5 Inches of Snow—173% of Average
On the heels of a Not So Dry January, seven feet of snow fell in the first 10 days of the new month, ushering in one of the best stretches of powder skiing this season.
February 7th: Georgie Knox comes up for air in Westward Ho | Photo: Chloe Jimenez
February 9th: Todd Ligare tries to find the bottom after seven feet of snow fell in 10 days | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
Once the snow stopped, blue skies rolled in and our crews went to work opening terrain. On Sunday, February 11th, Alta Ski Area opened Devil's Castle and the Apron Booter. On Tuesday, February 13th, Alta Ski Patrol opened Mount Baldy and East Castle—our first wall-to-wall opening of the season.
On February 16th, Alta's season-to-date snowfall at the Collins Study Plot surpassed the 400-inch mark for the season following a series of graupel-dropping storms.
February 16th: Graupel girl Syd Ricketts enjoys the free refills | Photo: Chloe Jimenez
The powder snow and graupel kept falling as over 30 inches of snow fell during Presidents’ Week. The graupel smoothed out the terrain before a colder storm dropped a few inches of stellar dendrites on top. It was a weekend filled to the brim with bluebird rope drops and powder turns.
February 22nd: Spaniard Abel Moga gets a taste of Alta Magic between Freeride World Tour stops | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
As we approached the final week of the month, a hard-hitting cold winter storm delivered the final foot of snow for the month. It was a cold, windy day that had even the hardiest Alta skiers seeking refills of hot cocoa between laps. The sun eventually broke through, providing a couple mild bluebird powder days to end a wet and wild month.
February 27th: Mac Conolly savoring the last drop of the month | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
Alta Ski Area received 154.5 inches of snow during February, 173% of Alta's 43-year average February snowfall (89.28")—the third-snowiest February on record. The 14.16 inches of water recorded at the Collins Study Plot more than doubled (205%) the 43-year average for February (6.89").
February 2024 was the wettest February on record.
By the end of February, Alta Ski Area had received the most snowfall in the lower 48 states. The 449 inches of season-to-date snowfall was 121% of average (372"). Season-to-date water clocked in at 41.62 inches—135% of average (30.93"). Free Refills February escalated the 2023–24 season into the second-snowiest start in the past decade—trailing only last season's record-shattering 903-inch season (582").
March 2024 | 131 Inches of Snow—135% of Average
True to the adage, March came in like a lion. The snow arrived on March 2nd and snowfall rates were firing at two-plus inches an hour when lightning shut down the lifts. The lifts would reopen shortly after, but it was a harbinger of a storm-filled month ahead. When it was all said and done, the first storm of March delivered 17.5 inches of snow.
March 3rd: Connor Shanklin charges into March... like a lion | Photo: Photo-John
The snow just kept on falling as Alta Ski Area received 33.5 inches of snow over the first seven days of the new month. Following a few days of sunshine and terrain openings, another hard-hitting winter storm delivered 22.5 inches of snow by mid-month.
On March 13th, Collins Study Plot surpassed 500 inches of season-to-date snowfall.
March 7th: Tami Razinger dives into Stone Crusher | Photo: Tyler Struss
February 13th: Rian Zetzer joins the 500-inch party | Photo: Chloe Jimenez
After a snowy start to the month, lamblike weather moved in. Even the most dedicated powderhounds were quick to embrace the spring skiing conditions as sunshine and slush bumps have been a rarity over the past two seasons. The spring skiing was made all the more enjoyable as the forecast called for a snowy end of the month.
True to form for Alta, the first few days of spring saw more snowfall than sunshine. An active snowfall pattern settled into the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon as a four-day storm cycle dropped another 41.5 inches of snow. On March 24th, Alta Ski Area recorded 533 inches of seasonal snowfall.
Combined with last season’s 903 inches of snow, the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons became the snowiest two-season stretch on record.
March 25th: JM Fabrizi is all smiles on a bluebird powder day | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
Late in the evening of March 26th, Alta Ski Area surpassed the 43-year seasonal snowfall average of 546 inches. March ended the way it began, with a series of storms delivering a seemingly endless string of powder days.
When the dust settled, March 2024 saw a total of 131 inches of snow—135% of the 43-year average March snowfall (96.76”). Total water clocked in at 10.81 inches—142% of the 43-year average for March (7.63”).
The first quarter of 2024 provided three consecutive months with above-average snowfall. This January 1st–March 31st was the second-snowiest start to a new year in the 43-year history of the Collins Study Plot—trailing only last season's 526 inches of snow.
Between January 1st and March 31st, Alta Ski Area saw 426 inches of snow—an average of 4.7 inches per day.
April 2024 | 48 Inches of Snow—62% of average
Spring is a constant battle between winter and summer. Winter got out to a commanding lead as 31 inches of snow fell in the first seven days.
On April 6th, the Collins Study Plot recorded its 600th inch, the first back-to-back 600-inch seasons in the past 15 years.
April 8th: Skiers catch an April Ballroom rope drop | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
For the second consecutive April, it appeared “spring skiing” would mean the continuation of the regularly scheduled powder days we had enjoyed since the start of the new year. And then suddenly, the powder clouds yielded to sunshine, snow beards melted to glitter, winter coats bloomed neon and wiggles began to resurface from the deep snowpack
April 12th: Aaron Rae embracing spring skiing | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
Spring had sprung and Alta skiers were quick to accept its warm, yet temporary, embrace as the long-range forecast called for winter’s final comeback
Old Man Winter wasn’t done just yet. As we entered the final week of the season, another Tax Day Storm delivered a few final powder days. As is often the case in April, the final powder days of the season turned to hot pow in the intense spring sunshine.
April 16th: Jeff Parker knows there are two certainties in life—death and Tax Day storms | Photo: Photo-John
The 2023–24 season concluded with a Closing Weekend filled with sunshine, slush bumps and lift rides with friends—a version of spring skiing that had eluded Alta skiers in recent seasons.
April 20th: Alta local Earth Jacobs making the most of Closing Weekend | Photo: Lee Cohen
Closing Day of our 86th winter was a quintessential bluebird spring day. Quite frankly, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to end another incredible season.
April 21st: Spenser Root doing a little hot-dogging on Closing Day | Photo: Photo-John
The lifts lie dormant, but the snow wasn’t done just yet. The last week of our seasonal snowfall calendar recorded the final seven inches of snow at the Collins Study Plot.
In total, April 2024 saw 48 inches of snow—62% of our 43-year average for April (77.05”). April’s 5.46 inches of water fared slightly better at 80% of average (6.82”).
2023–24 By-The-Numbers
Located in Collins Gulch at an elevation of 9,662 feet, the Collins Study Plot began recording daily snowfall observations in 1980—prior to 1980, the Alta Guard House Study Plot has records dating back to 1944. Seasonal snowfall data starts in October (when settled snow from October is measurable on November 1st) and runs through the end of April.
SEASONAL SNOWFALL
- 2023–24 Seasonal Snowfall: 628 inches
- 2022–23: 903”
- 2021–22: 445.5"
- 2020–21: 486.5"
- 2019–20: 542"
- 2018–19: 626"
- 2023–24: 115% of Alta's 43-Year Average Snowfall of 546 inches
- 2022–23: 165.4% of average
- 2021–22: 79% of average
- 2020–21 = 89.1% of average
- 2019–20 = 99.3% of average
- 2018–19 = 114.7% of average
- 2023–24: 121% of Alta's rolling 10-Year Average Snowfall of 518.5 inches
- 2022–23: 174.2%
- 2021–22: 85.9%
- 2020–21: 93.8%
- 2019–20: 104.5%
- 2018–19: 120.7%
The first measurable snowfall of the season occurred on October 10th. Our last seasonal snowfall was recorded on April 30th, the final morning of the seasonal snowfall period. In total, the Collins Study Plot recorded 628 inches of seasonal snowfall—the most snowfall in North America outside of Alyeska Resort in Alaska and the snowiest season at Alta since 2010–11 (724")... if we exclude the anomalous 903-inch winter of 2022–23, of course.
Buoyed by the second-snowiest January through March period on record, seasonal snowfall was 115% of Alta's 43-year average of 546 inches and 121% of Alta's 10-year average of 518.5 inches.
FUN FACTS
- February 2024 was the wettest February on record with 14.16 inches of water
- Including the 903-inch winter of 2022–23, we experienced our first back-to-back 600-inch winters since 2007–08 (702") and 2008–09 (696.5")
- The past two seasons mark the snowiest two-year stretch on record at 1,531"
MID-WINTER MAGIC
- 76.7% of in-season snow fell in the 88 days between January 4th and March 31st—an average of 4.8 inches of snow per day
- 23.3% of in-season snow fell in the other 61 days bookending the season—an average of just 2.1 inches of snow per day
Alta’s Snowiest Seasons Since 1980–81
- 2022–23: 903"
- 1981–82: 748"
- 2010–11: 724"
- 1983–84: 708.5"
- 2007–08: 702"
- 2004–05: 697.5"
- 2008–09: 696.5"
- 1982–83: 687"
- 1992–93: 681.5"
- 1997–98: 659.5"
- 2005–06: 641.5”
- 1994–95: 631”
- 2023–24: 628”
Alta’s Wettest Seasons since 1980–81
- 1981–82: 73.44”
- 2022–23: 70.03”
- 2010–11: 67.53”
- 2004–05: 64.95”
- 1982–83: 63.58”
- 2023–24: 57.60”
The 628 inches will go down as the 13th-snowiest and sixth-wettest season in the past 44 years. The warmer and wetter weather contributed to an average density of 9.17%, almost a full percentage higher than Alta's 43-year average of 8.31%. No need to re-write the record books this season, but we sure got to ski a lot of powder and the additional water in the snowpack replenishes our state’s rivers, reservoirs and the Great Salt Lake when the snow eventually melts.
2023–24 POWDER SKIING PROBABILITIES
New snow at the Collins Study Plot | Alta.com
Alta Ski Area opened for the 2023–24 season on Saturday, November 25th with 65.5 inches of season-to-date snowfall. By Closing Day, Sunday, April 21st, Alta had received 621 inches of season-to-date snowfall. During those 149 days, the Collins Study Plot recorded 555.5 inches of snow—an average of 3.73 inches per day.
- 149 total ski days during the 2023–24 season
- 2022–23: 156 ski days
- 2021–22: 153 ski days
- 2020–21: 150 ski days
- 2019–20: 107 ski days (Covid-19 closure on March 15th)
- 2018–19: 153 ski days
- 65 ski days delivered 1 inch or more of new snow = 43.6%
- 2022–23: 89 days = 57.1%
- 2021–22: 59 days = 38.5%
- 2020–21: 66 days = 44%
- 2019–20: 54 days = 50.5%
- 2018–19: 80 days = 52.3%
- 58 ski days delivered 3 inches or more of new snow = 38.9%
- 2022–23: 71 days = 45.5%
- 2021–22: 36 days = 23.5%
- 2020–21: 41 days = 27.3%
- 2019–20: 41 days = 38.3%
- 2018–19: 53 days = 34.6%
- 41 ski days delivered 6 inches or more of new snow = 27.5%
- 2022–23: 54 days = 34.6%
- 2021–22: 24 days = 15.7%
- 2020–21: 24 days = 16%
- 2019–20: 23 days = 21.5%
- 2018–19: 41 days = 26.8%
- 23 ski days delivered 10 inches or more of new snow = 15.4%
- 2022–23: 32 days = 20.5%
- 2021–22: 13 days = 8.5%
- 2020–21: 13 days = 8.7%
- 2019–20: 12 days = 11.2%
- 2018–19: 21 days = 13.7%
- 2 ski days delivered 20 inches or more of new snow = 1.3%
- 2022–23: 6 days = 3.85%
- 2021–22: 1 day = 0.7%
- 2020–21: 2 days = 1.3%
- 2019–20: 2 days = 1.9%
- 2018–19: 7 days = 4.5%
During our 149-day ski season, 65 days saw at least an inch of new snow (43.6%). Surprisingly, the frequency of fresh snow days falls behind some of the less-snowy seasons of the past five years. We did experience a greater frequency of days with at least three inches of new snow as 58 days—roughly two full months—registered three or more inches of fresh snow.
This season stood out for the frequency of six-plus-inch and 10-plus-inch days as 41 days—over a quarter of the season (27.5%)—saw at least six inches of new snow and 23 days—roughly one per week (15.4%)—saw at least 10 inches of new snow. Compared to the past five years, that rate of six-plus-inch and 10-plus-inch days trails only last season's 903-inch winter.
Surprisingly given the 628 inches of seasonal snowfall, only two days saw 20-plus inches of snow. Unsurprisingly, one of those two 20-plus inch days resulted in our only full-day closure of Highway 210 and Alta Ski Area. Once again showing the power of Mother Nature and proving that it's possible to have too much of a good thing.
Takeaways from the 2023–24 Season
Over the past four seasons, we've experienced a season abruptly cut short by a global pandemic, a season altered by social distancing during an ongoing pandemic, a season with a historic two-month dry spell and a season that buried all other Alta snowfall records.
This season welcomed the return of "normal" to Alta.
A normal winter at Alta means 546 inches of snow and plenty of powder days. Due to the second-snowiest January through March stretch in the history of the Collins Study Plot, our normal season overcame a slow start and actually moved into a solidly "above-average" season.
2018–19 vs. 2023–24 | alta.com
As the season progressed, we couldn't shake the feeling that this winter seemed oddly reminiscent of the 2018–19 season at Alta—the last "normal" season prior to the global pandemic. In the end, the 2018–19 season and the 2023–24 season were remarkably similar.
- 2018–19: 626 inches of snow | 55.75 inches of water | 8.71% density
- 2023–24: 628 inches of snow | 57.60 inches of water | 9.17% density
The 2023–24 season will be remembered for the frequency of manageable storms. As storms made their way to Alta, delivering plenty of storm days followed by breaks in the weather that offered rope drops and terrain expansion before another storm arrived. The result was a designer ski season that provided countless powder days between January and early April. We ended the season enjoying the spring skiing vibes that had eluded us the past few seasons. Frankly, we couldn't have asked Mother Nature for a better encore.
Over the past two seasons, Alta has received a mind-blowing 1,531 inches of snow.
That's a lot of snow.
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