Class is outside this winter.
Grab your skis and snowshoes—class looks different at Alta. From December to April, we invite everyone to join us on the slopes as we turn the great outdoors into our classroom with weekly on-mountain tours led by local non-profit organizations. These tours are free, family-friendly and perfect for anyone curious about the land they are recreating on. Branch out and explore Alta through a different lens this winter—see you on the slopes!
*All events are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Learn more about educational tours on our 16th annual Alta Earth Day's >
BIRDING ON SKIS
Join the Tracy Aviary Conservation Team for a non-breeding bird survey of Alta—on skis! Explore the mountain alongside expert birders and learn how to identify Alta’s avian residents by sight and sound.
Tours take place on the first and third Thursdays of the month, December through April. Participants must be 12 years old and able to ski intermediate groomed runs.
TREES AND SKIS
Grab your skis and join TreeUtah on the slopes as we explore the gentle giants that shape Alta's landscape and the rich history held in their roots. Ski through the trees as you learn about Alta's diverse tree species and their important role in our ecosystem throughout history.
Tours take place on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, December through April. Meeting at the top of the Sunnyside lift and are open to skiers of all ages and abilities.
Ski With A Ranger
Join a Volunteer Naturalist Ranger from the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for a 45-minute guided ski tour of Alta every Thursday. This experience is perfect for skiers of all levels who want to explore easy runs while learning about the geology, ecology, wildlife and history of the Cottonwood Canyons.
Want to learn more? Don’t miss the opportunity to chat with a Ranger Naturalist every Thursday from 10:30am–12:30pm at the Albion Day Lodge about watersheds, mountain ecology and the environment. Ski tours are offered every Thursday from January through April, meeting at the top of the Sunnyside lift.
Snowshoe with a Naturalist
Strap on your snowshoes and join the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, a naturalist-led tour of Alta. Volunteer naturalists will guide you through the mountains—sharing insights on everything from adaptations and tree species to the rich history of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Tours take place on the third Friday of each month, from January through April. This afternoon excursion is ideal for people of all ages and hiking abilities.
JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORICAL SNOWSCAPES
Explore the ecology and rich history of Little Cottonwood Canyon on a snowshoe tour led by the Utah State Historic Preservation Office and Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program.
Discover how Alta's landscape has transformed over the past century—from a thriving mining town to a renowned skiing destination—with a snowshoe exploration through the mountains.
Alta Earth Day 2025
Join us on the snow April 12, 2025, to celebrate, educate and take action to protect the place we call home—because there’s no Alta without a healthy planet.
Alta Earth Day—hosted annually by the Alta Environmental Center (AEC)—brings together local, sustainable and non-profit organizations to connect with the community and raise awareness about the impact of climate change on our mountains. This action-packed day features educational tours, interactive activities, giveaways, ski demos, an Art Market, live music and more—all designed to inspire environmental stewardship and collective action.
April 12, 2025 | All-Day Event
- Wildcat base area
- NO registration is required—just show up.
Partner organizations
- Alta Ski Area
- Alta Environmental Center
- Cottonwood Canyons Foundation (CCF)
- Tracy Aviary
- TreeUtah
- Utah State Historic Preservation Office
- The U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
For more information, please contact environment@alta.com.
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