A supreme lift update.
UPDATE:
Due to overwhelming and immediate feedback from Alta skiers, it has been determined that Alta Ski Area will abandon our April Fools' plans to move forward with the proposed construction of the Supreme Griz covered ski conveyor.
For immediate release: April 2, 2025
The United States Forest Service has recently authorized Alta Ski Area to modify the alignment of the existing Supreme lift. The current Supreme lift will be dismantled and reinstalled to create a new, straighter alignment that eliminates the eight-degree bend present in the existing lift line. The top and bottom terminals will be pivoted but remain in their general locations. This realignment will eliminate the bumpy ride and maintenance issues created by the current configuration. The lift will be realigned during the summer of 2025 and is expected to open for Alta's 2025–26 ski season.
April 1, 2025
Since 1938, Alta Ski Area has been home to the steep and deep—averaging 548 inches of snowfall per season. Alta is a powder skier’s mecca, whose 2,500 acres are accessed by just five lifts—Wildcat, Collins, Sugarloaf, Sunnyside and Supreme. The limited lift footprint is intentional, aligning with Alta’s mission to provide an authentic skiing experience in a natural mountain environment.
Back in 2017, the Cecret double chair and Supreme triple were removed and replaced with a high-speed detachable quad. Replacing two lifts with one new lift—while maintaining existing lift lines that provided minimal disruption to wetlands and trees—required a new feat of engineering. Taking inspiration from the Collins lift, the Supreme lift was built with an eight-degree bend. The “bend” was created using a series of canted tower sheaves that gradually changed the direction of the lift line toward the top of Point Supreme. This new angle station—known colloquially as "the bend” or “the bumpies”—proved to be a fan favorite feature for skiers young and old.
However, recent polling of Alta's native porcupines and bird populations found that the Supreme bend was supremely noisy and the lift must be replaced.
While we work to find a permanent solution to the Supreme lift, including a potential realignment, the decision was made to install a temporary replacement by next season. Fresh off the recent success of Little Griz and Big Griz ski conveyors, Alta Ski Area is excited to announce our newest addition to the Griz-zly family—Supreme Griz!!!
Supreme Griz Bottom Terminal | Photo: AI Rendering
Supreme-ly Awesome! | Photo: AI Rendering
During summer 2025, Alta Ski Area will install a new covered conveyor running from Alf’s Restaurant to the saddle just below Point Supreme. Utilizing the existing lift line—and following in the footprint and tradition of the Cecret double-chair and Supreme triple-chair—the mile-long covered conveyor will gently carry skiers 1,224 vertical feet, depositing them 10,648 feet above sea level.
The new Supreme Griz will be the longest, steepest and highest-elevation ski conveyor in the world!!! We think. (Note: check with Lift Blog before we publish)
At a top speed of two feet-per-second, Supreme Griz will carry skiers through the Albion Basin Campground before ascending the steep and rocky cliff bands of Supreme Bowl—all in under 40 minutes!! The new conveyor's surface belt will feature an extra grippy texture for the steep pitches and the glass enclosure will allow Alta skiers the opportunity to admire the stunning natural beauty of Devil’s Castle, East Castle and Supreme Bowl, all while spending more time upright on their skis!!!
Mining era-inspired scaffolding | Photo: AI Rendering
Bluetooth speakers will line the translucent eves of Supreme Griz. Skiers can listen to a pre-recorded interpretive story of Alta’s mining history or the dulcet tunes of the Supremes. And don’t worry, the conveyor will maintain a 8.1-degree bend and a pleasant foot massage at around the twenty-two-minute mark of the overland journey.
Supreme Griz sans scaffolding | Photo: AI Rendering
The new angle station will include restrooms and Supe—a bespoke popup dining experience serving Supreme-ly savory bowls of ramen, pho, lobster bisque and artisan grilled cheese sandwiches. Take your Supe to go, or enjoy lunch al fresco while basking in the views from the comfort of the retired Supreme chairs—with custom vibration-loaded bearings to match the feel and experience of the old Supreme bend. Of course.
Supreme Views | Photo: AI Rendering
Upon reaching the summit via the new Supreme Griz conveyor, Alta skiers can spend even more time on their skis while they sidestep their way to Catherine’s Area or the top of East Castle. Alternatively, skiers may choose to make their way down for yet another bout of quality time lapping Supreme Griz.
Supreme Griz at Sunrise | Photos: AI Rendering
Installation of Supreme Griz will begin as soon as the snow melts—perhaps July. Who knows? Stay tuned for updates from Alta throughout this summer.
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