Making the most of the final Week of the season.
It's taken a while, but after 175 days and 877.5 inches of snow, we've finally seen the light at the end of a very long snow tunnel. Spring skiing—the version with sunshine and slush bumps and goggle tans—should make its long-awaited return to Alta this weekend. And we've earned it this year.
It's been another great winter at Alta Ski Area. A Second-Half Resurgence in February and March has delivered deep powder days and helped Alta's seasonal snowfall recover from a slow start. As we head into the final month of the 2024–25 season, we've received over 520 inches of snow and our mid-mountain base depth hovers around ten feet.
Don't take off those snow tires just yet—April has historically averaged 77 inches of snowfall. The unsettled weather of spring often provides some of the biggest storms of the season. To cap off the great skiing we have enjoyed this winter, Alta will remain open daily through Sunday, April 20th.
When it's not snowing, there are plenty of groomers, soft spring bumps, sunshine and corn snow to keep even the most die-hard powderhound entertained. For a stellar spring at Alta, here are a few suggestions.
Sunny Spring Days
- Start your spring with some groomers on Sunnyside and Sugarloaf, where the snow softens earlier in the day.
- Watch for signs of firm snow when venturing off-piste on clear spring mornings. Avoid the snow that shines.
- After a few hours of sunshine, great turns can be had on Supreme, Collins or Wildcat lifts in the mid-morning hours.
- Don't miss the patio vibes. From Alf's Restaurant to Cecret Coffee, Albion Grill and beyond, sun-drenched patios are plentiful at Alta. You'll find live music on select days at the Goldminer's Daughter patio. Enjoy the views and mountain ambiance.
- Don't forget the sunscreen and SPF lip balm
Ben LaPrade enjoys a slushy Sugarloaf lap | Photo: Photo-John
Spring Powder Days
- Fresh snow? Arrive early. With its higher position in the sky, the sun can bake the powder snow by noon on spring days.
- If seeking fresh snow, hunt for shaded, north-facing slopes on sunny days following storms.
- In the sunny days following a storm, if conditions permit, Alta Ski Patrol will work hard to open Alta's best expert skiing terrain. This might include the Devil's Castle, East Castle or Baldy Chutes hike.
- Spring is a constant battle between summer and winter—plan ahead before you leave the house. Keep an eye on Alta's Mountain Cams and weather forecasts. It may be warm and balmy in the valley but storming at Alta.
- Spring storms can hit fast and hard. Check for updates from UDOT and obey all Traction Laws when implemented.
April 4th: Tommy Flitton skis April powder | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
Spring at Alta is a non-stop, all-you-can-eat buffet of powder days, slush bumps in the sun and a month of fun-filled events and activities.
Patios, Decks & Ski Beaches
Speaking of food, spring is also a great time to enjoy the patios, decks and ski beaches at Alta's on-mountain restaurants. Enjoy a cold beverage with your burger and fries on a sunny day at Alf's Restaurant or Albion Grill—both located in the sunny and scenic Albion Basin.
In Collins Gulch, the Watson Shelter is a great place to catch some rays on the Watson Cafe deck or Baldy Brews mid-mountain ski beach.
- Collins Grill is now closed for the season.
Lunch on the Alf's Restaurant deck | Photo: Photo-John
On snowy and colder days of spring, warm up with a latte or hot chocolate outside Alta Java or Baldy Brews.
- Cecret Coffee is now closed for the season.
Après-ski
If après-ski is your thing, the Albion Grill in the Albion Day Lodge and Slopeside Cafe patio at the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge are great places to enjoy some springtime shenanigans in the sun. Keep an ear out for live music on select weekends this spring.
Slopeside Cafe patio at the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge | Photo: Kipp Schorr
Spring Lodging
The five lodges of Alta—Snowpine, Rustler, Alta Lodge, Goldminer's Daughter and Alta Peruvian—often offer spring deals on a place to rest your head after a long day on the slopes. Great rates can be found in the month of April, whether you are visiting Utah or a seasoned local.
Spring Events at Alta
Alta Ski Area, Alta Environmental Center and Alta Community Enrichment have plenty of fun, community-oriented events and festivities. As the days get longer, spring is an incredible opportunity to ski all day before spending some time with members of the Alta community once the lifts stop spinning.
April 1st–17th | Winter Education Programs with Alta Environmental Center
Embrace the longer days of spring and take part in some of Alta Environmental Center's on-snow education events. Do some Birding On Skis, Ski With a Ranger, Snowshoe With a Naturalist or learn about the trees of Alta on a guided tour on skis.
Trees & Skis | Photo: Tyler Struss
Join us at Alta Ski Area as we turn the great outdoors into our classroom with a variety of on-mountain education events, led by our partner non-profit organizations.
March 24th–28th | Alta Community Enrichment Snowflake Festival
Alta Community Enrichment celebrates the arrival of spring with its annual Snowflake Festival—a weeklong series of community-focused events and fundraisers. Do some yoga, tie-dye clothes with snow, take in a talent show, enter a mustache competition, join the 35th annual Chili Cook-off, find the elusive gnome or cheer on competitors in the Alta Biathlon.
Friday, April 4th | Alta Gala and Opportunity Drawing
The Alta Gala is a collaborative fundraiser for Alta Community Enrichment, Friends of Alta & Alta Historical Society. The Alta Gala Opportunity Drawing is a great way to support local nonprofits while being entered to take home an Alta Season Pass or a day of heliskiing with Powderbird.
Thursday, April 13th | 2023–24 Season Pass Pricing Release
Saturday, April 12th | Alta Earth Day
Join Alta Environmental Center for the 16th annual community Alta Earth Day. Connect with sustainability-focused and local companies from the Salt Lake area. Get on the snow with Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Tracy Aviary, and TreeUtah for our educational nature tours and gain a fresh perspective of the ecological habitats of Alta. Check out the basecamp/vendor village at the base of the Collins lift and demo some gear.
Alta Earth Day | Photo: Photo-John
This event encourages environmental stewardship, diversity in outdoor recreation, responsible recreation, and awareness of the relationship between climate change and the future of the ski industry in Little Cottonwood Canyon and beyond. There will be a generous opportunity drawing—win new skis, outdoor gear, a fly rod, climbing gym passes, and more! Enjoy live music on the Goldminer's Daughter Patio from 3:30-5:30pm.
Sunday, April 20th | Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter Bunny will be visiting Alta Ski Area for our Closing Day celebration. The Alta Children's Center prepared hand-painted, chocolate-filled eggs for this year's Easter Egg Hunt.
Alta Easter Egg Hunt | Photo: Photo-John
This is a free event for our young skiers. Meet at 11am at the Alf Engen Ski School Explorer Hut in the Ablion base area.
Sunday, April 20th | Closing Day
Alta is open daily through Sunday, April 20th. Whether it's sunny spring laps in the wiggle or a sleeper spring powder day, the late-season stoke is palpable, the smiles are as plentiful as the glitter and the energy is contagious. As a reminder, parking reservations are required for Closing Day.
Closing Day | Photo: Photo-John
You may wonder with all this snow, why don’t we extend our season? Most of our employees are seasonal employees and we need to honor our commitment to them so they can leave for their summer employment. And as the temps rise in the valley, many skiers embrace other sports such as mountain biking, hiking and golf. Backcountry skiers will have the opportunity to keep skiing at Alta after our crews have cleared the mountain of ropelines, bamboo and all other operational materials. We will still offer skiing, but our lifts will go on summer vacation with the rest of you.
We've made it this far. Let's not celebrate before we cross the finish line.
Top 11 Spring Skiing Reminders:
- Parking reservations are required for Closing Day, Sunday, April 20th from 8am–1pm.
- The UTA Ski Bus service concluded on Saturday, April 12th.
- Watch for UDOT Highway 210 updates. As temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of road closures due to wet slide avalanche danger.
- Wasatch Benefit days are not valid on weekends, even on our Closing Weekend.
- We all know the Wildcat lot is a popular place on Closing Day. Once the Wildcat lot is full, it will stay closed for the remainder of the day.
- Wildcat and Albion parking lots will close at 6:30pm on Closing Day.
- Tailgating is permitted in Alta lots, but please be respectful of your car neighbors. Grills and hibachis are not allowed directly on the asphalt.
- As always, don't trash Alta. Make sure your food packaging and beverage containers end up in the trash or recycle bins.
- Please do not create on-mountain wiggles.
- Keep the costumes gate-friendly and family-friendly. Don't forget your pass in your ski pants.
- Have fun! And wear sunscreen...or bundle up.
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