Spring
Skiing at Alta

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. As we head into the final month of the 2023–24 season, we've already received over 611 inches of snow and our mid-mountain base depth sits at 159 inches.

To cap off the great skiing we have enjoyed this winter, Alta will remain open daily through Sunday, April 21.

The recent warming trend following record-breaking snowfall has created some unique logistical challenges in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Highway 210 has been closed for multiple days due to avalanche activity above the highway. We are working closely with the Utah Department of Transportation, the Town of Alta and Snowbird to keep Highway 210 open. and keep our skiers skiing. At the end of the day, Mother Nature calls the shots—thank you for your continued patience.

Spring at Alta is a non-stop, all-you-can-eat buffet of powder days, slushy spring laps in the sun and fun-filled events and activities at the ski area and the Town of Alta.

But don't take off those snow tires just yet—April has historically averaged 77 inches of snowfall. When it's not snowing, there are plenty of groomers, soft spring bumps and corn snow to keep even the most die-hard powderhound entertained between storms.

Spring is also a great time to enjoy the patios, decks and ski beaches at Alta's on-mountain restaurants. Enjoy a cold beverage and fries on a sunny day at Alf's Restaurant, Watson Cafe . Warm up with a latte or hot chocolate outside Alta Java, Baldy Brews or Cecret Coffee. If après-ski is your thing, theAlbion Grill andSlopeside Cafe patio at the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge are great places to enjoy some springtime shenanigans in the sun.

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.

Find these deals and other unique Alta-only experiences through Alta Community Enrichment's Time Well Spent page.

Alta Community Enrichment's events calendar is full of fun community-oriented events and festivities. Spring is a great time to ski all day and invest time in the community when the lifts stop spinning.

April Events at Alta

March 21st–April 12th | 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 ski tour.

March 25th–March 31st | 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, find the elusive gnome, cheer on competitors in the Alta Biathlon and take part in an Easter Egg Hunt on snow.

Sunday, March 31st | Easter Egg Hunt

3,000 handpainted, chocolate-filled eggs have been prepared for this year's Easter Egg Hunt. Meet at 11am at Ski School in the Ablion base area. This is a free event for our young skiers.

Friday, April 12 | Alta Gala and Opportunity Drawing

The Alta Gala is a collaborative fundraiser for Alta Community Enrichment, Friends of Alta & Alta Historical Society. The goal is not only to raise money but to raise awareness of these three 501c3 nonprofits in Alta, Utah. The classic Alta Gala is sold out, but tickets are still available for the pre-Gala Cocktail Party. You can also add your name to the Alta Gala waitlist.

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

Season pass pricing for 2023–24 will be released on April 13th, 2023. No need to purchase next year's pass before the lifts stop spinning, season passes will go on sale in May 2023.

Saturday, April 13 | Alta Earth Day

Join Alta Environmental Center for the 15 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 on-skis events and gain a fresh perspective of the ecological system at work here in Alta. Check out the basecamp/vendor village at the base of the Collins lift.

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! Followed by live music on the Goldminer's Daughter Patio from 3:30-5:30pm.

Sunday, April 21 | Closing Weekend

Alta is open daily through Sunday, April 21st, 2024. 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.

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 10 Spring Skiing Reminders:

1. Parking reservations are required for Closing Day, Sunday, April 21 from 8am–1pm.
2. The UTA Ski Bus service ended on Saturday, April 13.
3. Keep an eye on the UDOT Cottonwoods website for Highway 210 updates. As temperatures rise, so does the likelihood of road closures.
4. Wasatch Benefit days are not valid on weekends, even on our Closing Weekend.
5. 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.
6. Tailgating is permitted in Alta lots, but please be respectful of your car neighbors. Grills and hibachis are not allowed directly on the asphalt.
7. As always, don't trash Alta. Make sure your food packaging and beverage containers end up in the trash or recycle bins.
8. Please do not create on-mountain wiggles.
9. Keep the costumes gate-friendly and family-friendly. Don't forget your pass in your ski pants.
10. Have fun! And wear sunscreen...or bundle up.