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Coordinates: 40°34′51″N 111°38′14″W / 40.58083°N 111.63722°W / 40.58083; -111.63722
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{{short description|Ski resort in Alta, Utah, United States}}
{{short description|Ski resort in Alta, Utah, United States}}
{{about|the ski area in Utah|Mont Alta, the ski area in Quebec|List of former ski areas of Quebec}}
{{about|the ski area in Utah|Mont Alta, the ski area in Quebec|List of former ski areas of Quebec}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2007}}
{{Infobox ski area
{{Infobox ski area
| name = Alta
| name = Alta
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| base_elevation = {{convert|8530|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| base_elevation = {{convert|8530|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| skiable_area = {{convert|2614|acre|km2}}
| skiable_area = {{convert|2614|acre|km2}}
| number_trails = 116+ total<br>[[Image:Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg|13px]] 15% easiest <br>[[Image:Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg|13px]] 30% more difficult <br>[[Image:Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg|13px]] 55% most difficult<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alta.com/the-mountain/mountain-info |website=Alta.com |title=Mountain Stats |access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref>
| number_trails = 116+ total<br />[[Image:Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg|13px]] 15% easiest <br />[[Image:Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg|13px]] 30% more difficult <br />[[Image:Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg|13px]] 55% most difficult<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alta.com/the-mountain/mountain-info |website=Alta.com |title=Mountain Stats |access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref>
| liftsystem = 6 [[chairlift]]s<br>1 high speed six pack<br>3 high speed quads<br>1 fixed grip quad<br>1 triple<br>1 double<br>5 [[Ski tow|surface tows]].
| liftsystem = 7 [[chairlift]]s<br />1 high speed six pack<br />3 high speed quads<br />1 fixed grip quad<br />1 triple<br />1 double<br />5 [[Ski tow|surface tows]].
| lift_capacity =
| lift_capacity =
| terrainparks = 0
| terrainparks = 0
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| external_link = [http://www.alta.com Alta.com]
| external_link = [http://www.alta.com Alta.com]
|}}
|}}
'''Alta''' is a [[ski area]] in the [[western United States]], located in the town of [[Alta, Utah|Alta]] in the [[Wasatch Mountains]] of [[Utah]], in [[Salt Lake County]]. With a skiable area of {{convert|2614|acre|km2|abbr=}}, Alta's base elevation is {{convert|8530|ft|0|abbr=on}} and rises to {{convert|11,068|ft|0|abbr=on}} for a vertical gain of {{convert|2538|ft|0|abbr=on}}. One of the oldest [[ski resort]]s in the country, it opened its first lift in early 1939.<ref name=atasixty>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0h1OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4ewDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4268%2C4021508 |newspaper=Deseret News |last=Grass |first=Ray |title=Alta at 60 |date=March 9, 1999 |page=D1 }}</ref> Alta is known for receiving more snow than most Utah resorts,<ref name=skiutah>{{cite web|url=http://www.skiutah.com/resorts/alta_ski_area|title=Alta: Resorts: Ski Utah: The Greatest Snow on Earth|publisher=www.skiutah.com|access-date=2009-01-26| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090207100202/http://www.skiutah.com/resorts/alta_ski_area| archive-date= 7 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> with an average annual [[snowfall]] of {{convert|545|in|m|abbr=}}.<ref>[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?utalta ALTA, UTAH – Climate Summary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Alta is one of three remaining ski resorts in the U.S. that prohibits snowboarders, along with nearby competitor [[Deer Valley]] and Vermont's [[Mad River Glen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snowboarding.about.com/od/snowboardresorts/i/snowboardingban.htm|title=Resorts That Ban Snowboarding| publisher=snowboarding.about.com| access-date=2009-02-08|last=Del Sole|first=Christopher}}</ref>
'''Alta''' is a [[ski area]] in the [[western United States]], located in the town of [[Alta, Utah|Alta]] in the [[Wasatch Mountains]] of [[Utah]], in [[Salt Lake County]]. With a skiable area of {{convert|2614|acre|km2|abbr=}}, Alta's base elevation is {{convert|8530|ft|0|abbr=on}} and rises to {{convert|11,068|ft|0|abbr=on}} for a vertical gain of {{convert|2538|ft|0|abbr=on}}. One of the oldest [[ski resort]]s in the country, it opened its first lift in early 1939.<ref name=atasixty>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0h1OAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4ewDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4268%2C4021508 |newspaper=Deseret News |last=Grass |first=Ray |title=Alta at 60 |date=March 9, 1999 |page=D1 }}</ref> Alta is known for receiving more snow than most Utah resorts,<ref name=skiutah>{{cite web|url=http://www.skiutah.com/resorts/alta_ski_area|title=Alta: Resorts: Ski Utah: The Greatest Snow on Earth|publisher=www.skiutah.com|access-date=2009-01-26| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090207100202/http://www.skiutah.com/resorts/alta_ski_area| archive-date= 7 February 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> with an average annual [[snowfall]] of {{convert|545|in|m|abbr=}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?utalta|title=ALTA, UTAH - Climate Summary|website=wrcc.dri.edu}}</ref> It is also regularly ranked as having the best snow in North America.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ZRankings |title=North America's Best Snow for Ski Resorts |url=https://www.zrankings.com/ski-resorts/snow |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=ZRankings}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Weather to ski’s top 10 snow-sure ski resorts – North America |url=https://www.weathertoski.co.uk/top-10s/top-10-snow-sure-ski-resorts-north-america/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=www.weathertoski.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodgson |first=Todd |date=2020-07-15 |title=Top 10 Ski Resorts for Snowfall in North America |url=https://www.skimag.com/ski-resort-life/highest-snow-totals-ski-resorts-north-america/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Ski Mag |language=en}}</ref> Alta is one of three remaining ski resorts in the U.S. that prohibit snowboarders, along with nearby competitor [[Deer Valley]] and Vermont's [[Mad River Glen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://snowboarding.about.com/od/snowboardresorts/i/snowboardingban.htm|title=Resorts That Ban Snowboarding|publisher=snowboarding.about.com|access-date=2009-02-08|last=Del Sole|first=Christopher|archive-date=2009-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823011101/http://snowboarding.about.com/od/snowboardresorts/i/snowboardingban.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==History==
==History==


===Early History===
===Early history===
Alta is one of the oldest ski areas in the U.S. and is one of just three ski areas in the U.S. that prohibits snowboarders. Located at the head of [[Little Cottonwood Canyon]] in Albion Basin and Collins Gulch, barely {{convert|30|mi}} from the [[Great Salt Lake]], Alta resides in a unique [[micro climate]] characterized by over {{convert|547|in|cm|-1|abbr=}} of high volume, low moisture snowfall annually.<ref name=secingred>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MhgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=74MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1808%2C1027646 |newspaper=Deseret News |title=Secret ingredient, storm patterns make Alta special |last=Hamilton |first=Linda |date=January 19, 1989 |page=D1 }}</ref>
Alta is one of the oldest ski areas in the U.S. and is one of just three ski areas in the U.S. that prohibit snowboarders. Located at the head of [[Little Cottonwood Canyon]] in Albion Basin and Collins Gulch, barely {{convert|30|mi}} from the [[Great Salt Lake]], Alta resides in a unique [[micro climate]] characterized by over {{convert|547|in|cm|-1|abbr=}} of high volume, low moisture snowfall annually.<ref name=secingred>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MhgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=74MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1808%2C1027646 |newspaper=Deseret News |title=Secret ingredient, storm patterns make Alta special |last=Hamilton |first=Linda |date=January 19, 1989 |page=D1 }}</ref>


Alta Ski Area features long, straight, fall-line pitches. Among the most well known and most favored are Alf's High Rustler, Eddie's High Nowhere, Stone Crusher and the Baldy Chutes. Though widely respected as one of the most challenging of in-bounds ski areas in the world, Alta has always viewed itself as a local's and family oriented ski area.
Alta Ski Area features long, straight, fall-line pitches. Among the most well known are Alf's High Rustler, Eddie's High Nowhere, Stone Crusher and the Baldy Chutes. Though widely respected as one of the most challenging in-bounds ski areas in the world, Alta has always viewed itself as a local's and family oriented ski area.


The community of [[Alta, Utah|Alta]] was established in 1871 as an offshoot of the silver mining operations in [[Little Cottonwood Canyon]]. A fire destroyed most of the town in 1878, then a cataclysmic avalanche in 1885—combined with the decline of mining—heralded a period of dormancy for the town. The area experienced a modest resurgence in mining in the 1900s, but the town declined again shortly thereafter, and was deserted with the exception of a few hardy miners who continued to intermittently prospect the area.<ref name=alta50yr>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MhgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=74MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2811%2C1025716 |newspaper=Deseret News |title=Alta |last=Grass |first=Ray |agency=(at 50) |date=January 19, 1989 |page=D1 }}</ref>
The community of [[Alta, Utah|Alta]] was established in 1871 as an offshoot of the silver mining operations in [[Little Cottonwood Canyon]]. A fire destroyed most of the town in 1878, then a cataclysmic avalanche in 1885—combined with the decline of mining—heralded a period of dormancy for the town. The area experienced a modest resurgence in mining in the 1900s, but the town declined again shortly thereafter, and was deserted with the exception of a few hardy miners who continued to intermittently prospect the area.<ref name=alta50yr>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MhgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=74MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2811%2C1025716 |newspaper=Deseret News |title=Alta |last=Grass |first=Ray |agency=(at 50) |date=January 19, 1989 |page=D1 }}</ref>


In 1935 the [[U.S. Forest Service]] retained the noted skier [[Alf Engen]] to hike into the area and determine its potential as a future ski area. Engen's reports expressed great promise for the area,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.skirebel.com/magazine/alta-ski-resort/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424062853/http://www.skirebel.com/magazine/alta-ski-resort/ |archive-date=2014-04-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and recommended the purchase of additional surrounding lands to form the ski area.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} In 1937 a prominent Salt Lake City lawyer, Joe Quinney, along with other local businessmen, formed the Utah Winter Sports Association to oversee the development of skiing at Alta. In the following year construction began on the original Collins [[chairlift]], fashioned from a surplus mining ore tramway system that featured a clamp-cam bullwheel gripping a metal cable strung with single-seat chairs. It was the second such chairlift in the United States, after [[Sun Valley, Idaho|Sun Valley]]. Alta opened to skiers for the first time in 1939 on January 15,<ref name=atasixty/><ref name=skiutah/> offering a single ride on the chair for 25 cents.
In 1935 the [[U.S. Forest Service]] retained the noted skier [[Alf Engen]] to hike into the area and determine its potential as a future ski area. Engen's reports expressed great promise for the area,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.skirebel.com/magazine/alta-ski-resort/ |title=Alta ski resort &#124; SKIREBEL Magazine |access-date=2013-05-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424062853/http://www.skirebel.com/magazine/alta-ski-resort/ |archive-date=2014-04-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and recommended the purchase of additional surrounding lands to form the ski area.{{Citation needed|date=December 2007}} In 1937 a prominent Salt Lake City lawyer, Joe Quinney, along with other local businessmen, formed the Utah Winter Sports Association to oversee the development of skiing at Alta. In the following year construction began on the original Collins [[chairlift]], fashioned from a surplus mining ore tramway system that featured a clamp-cam bullwheel gripping a metal cable strung with single-seat chairs. It was the second such chairlift in the United States, after [[Sun Valley, Idaho|Sun Valley]]. Alta opened to skiers for the first time in 1939 on January 15,<ref name=atasixty/><ref name=skiutah/> offering a single ride on the chair for 25 cents.


===Recent Developments===
===Recent Developments===
Alta installed its first triple in 1991, by upgrading the Germania double chair. The resort began adding a developed [[snowmaking]] infrastructure in 1996, and the ski area continues to develop and refine the process. The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked with further modernization. In 1999 the Sunnyside lift was replaced with a detachable triple chair, the resort's first [[detachable chairlift]]. Two years later the Supreme chair was upgraded to a triple, and the Sugarloaf chair was replaced with a detachable quad. In the summer of 2004, the Collins double lift and Germania triple lifts were replaced with a single two-stage detachable quad going from the base of the former Collins lift to the top terminal of the former Germania lift. During the 2007–08 season, Alta introduced a new Axess [[RFID]] electronic [[lift ticket]] system, similar to that of the [[Solitude Ski Resort]]. During the 2008–09 season, Alta added a conveyor system at the start point of the Supreme lift that assists skiers in loading. Alta added safety bars to Sunnyside in 2010 and to Collins, Sugarloaf, and Supreme in the summer of 2011. For the 2017–18 season, [[Leitner-Poma]] built a high speed quad that replaced the former Supreme and Cecret lifts, extending from the Sugarloaf base area to the top terminal of the former Supreme lift. For the 2022-23 season, Leitner-Poma constructed a high speed six pack to replace the Sunnyside and Albion lifts.
Alta installed its first triple in 1991, by upgrading the Germania double chair. The resort began adding a developed [[snowmaking]] infrastructure in 1996, and the ski area continues to develop and refine the process. The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by further modernization. In 1999 the Sunnyside lift was replaced with a detachable triple chair, the resort's first [[detachable chairlift]]. Two years later the Supreme chair was upgraded to a triple, and the Sugarloaf chair was replaced with a detachable quad. In the summer of 2004, the Collins double lift and Germania triple lifts were replaced with a single two-stage detachable quad going from the base of the former Collins lift to the top terminal of the former Germania lift. During the 2007–08 season, Alta introduced a new Axess [[RFID]] electronic [[lift ticket]] system, similar to that of the [[Solitude Ski Resort]]. During the 2008–09 season, Alta added a conveyor system at the start point of the Supreme lift that assists skiers in loading. Alta added safety bars to Sunnyside in 2010 and to Collins, Sugarloaf, and Supreme in the summer of 2011. For the 2017–18 season, [[Leitner-Poma]] built a high speed quad that replaced the former Supreme and Cecret lifts, extending from the Sugarloaf base area to the top terminal of the former Supreme lift. For the 2022-23 season, Leitner-Poma constructed a high speed six pack to replace the Sunnyside and Albion lifts.


=== Future Developments ===
=== Future Developments ===
The ski area is in the process of planning for the next several years.{{when|date=May 2021}} Many of the decisions will be made as the Mountain Accord process evolves. This involves a tram to the top of Mt. Baldy, a lift from the Sugar Bowl to Sugarloaf Pass, and improvements to parking.<ref>http://mountainaccord.com/</ref>
The ski area is in the process of planning for the next several years.{{when|date=May 2021}} Proposed developments include a tram to the top of [[Mount Baldy (Salt Lake County, Utah)|Mt. Baldy]], a lift from the Sugar Bowl to Sugarloaf Pass, and improvements to parking.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://woodycreek.com/|title=Welcome to Woody Creek, Colorado|website=Welcome to Woody Creek, Colorado}}</ref>[[File:Alta Baldy Chutes.JPG|thumb|200px|right|[[Snowbird, Utah|Snowbird ski resort]] is accessible from Mount Baldy at Alta ski resort]]

The resort currently{{when|date=May 2021}} has one high speed six pack, three high speed quads, one triple chairlift, one double chairlift, and three surface tows. The terrain is classified as 15% Beginner, 30% Intermediate, and 55% Advanced.
[[File:Alta Baldy Chutes.JPG|thumb|200px|right|[[Snowbird, Utah|Snowbird ski resort]] is accessible from Mount Baldy at Alta ski resort]]


On January 15, 2014, a group called Wasatch Equality<ref>[http://wasatchequality.org/ Wasatch Equality] web site</ref> and four individual snowboarders filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Utah against Alta Ski Area and the United States Forest Service, seeking to permanently disallow Alta from enforcing its anti-snowboarder policy and snowboarding ban. Alta Ski Area prevailed in the ruling and continues to exclusively serve skiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/cases/54770bc7f109b817e30001a2|title = Wasatch Equality, et al v. Alta Ski Lifts, et al}}</ref>
On January 15, 2014, a group called Wasatch Equality<ref>[http://wasatchequality.org/ Wasatch Equality] web site</ref> and four individual snowboarders filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Utah against Alta Ski Area and the United States Forest Service, seeking to permanently disallow Alta from enforcing its anti-snowboarder policy and snowboarding ban. Alta Ski Area prevailed in the ruling and continues to exclusively serve skiers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.law360.com/cases/54770bc7f109b817e30001a2|title = Wasatch Equality, et al v. Alta Ski Lifts, et al}}</ref>

== Climate ==
[[Sugarloaf Mountain (Utah)]], {{cvt|11051|ft}},<ref name="alt">{{cite web|url= https://www.summitpost.org/sugarloaf-peak/152890|publisher= Summitpost.org |access-date= November 6, 2023|title= Sugarloaf Peak}}</ref> is a high peak within the Alta Ski Area. Sugarloaf Mountain has a [[subarctic climate|subalpine climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfc''), bordering on an [[Alpine climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''ET''). There is no weather station at the summit, but this climate table contains [[Interpolation|interpolated]] data for an area around the summit.
{{Weather box
|location = Sugarloaf Mountain (Alta) 40.5641 N, 111.6236 W, Elevation: {{cvt|10482|ft}} (1991–2020 normals)
|single line = y

|Jan high F = 26.1
|Feb high F = 27.3
|Mar high F = 32.2
|Apr high F = 38.1
|May high F = 47.5
|Jun high F = 59.0
|Jul high F = 68.3
|Aug high F = 66.6
|Sep high F = 57.8
|Oct high F = 44.8
|Nov high F = 33.3
|Dec high F = 26.4

|Jan mean F = 17.9
|Feb mean F = 18.1
|Mar mean F = 22.7
|Apr mean F = 27.8
|May mean F = 37.0
|Jun mean F = 47.6
|Jul mean F = 57.1
|Aug mean F = 55.7
|Sep mean F = 47.3
|Oct mean F = 35.1
|Nov mean F = 24.8
|Dec mean F = 18.1

|Jan low F = 9.8
|Feb low F = 8.9
|Mar low F = 13.3
|Apr low F = 17.6
|May low F = 26.4
|Jun low F = 36.1
|Jul low F = 45.9
|Aug low F = 44.8
|Sep low F = 36.7
|Oct low F = 25.4
|Nov low F = 16.2
|Dec low F = 9.8

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 7.05
|Feb precipitation inch = 6.03
|Mar precipitation inch = 6.09
|Apr precipitation inch = 5.91
|May precipitation inch = 4.32
|Jun precipitation inch = 1.95
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.32
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.11
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.83
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.13
|Nov precipitation inch = 5.18
|Dec precipitation inch = 6.08

|source=PRISM Climate Group<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/
|title= PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
|publisher= PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University
|access-date= November 6, 2023
|quote= To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking ''Coordinates'' (under ''Location''); copy ''Latitude'' and ''Longitude figures'' from top of table; click ''Zoom to location''; click ''Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp''; click ''30-year normals, 1991-2020''; click ''800m''; click ''Retrieve Time Series'' button.}}</ref>
}}


== The Ski Area ==
== The Ski Area ==
The ski area is owned by multiple individuals, with the largest shares being held by the [[James Laughlin|Laughlin family]] (51%), the Quinney family (25%), and the [[Richard Bass|Bass family]] (11%).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Diliberto|first=Gioia|date=March 22, 1998|title=EARNING IT; A Ski Area Without the Extremes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/22/business/earning-it-a-ski-area-without-the-extremes.html#:~:text=The%20five%20lodges%20belong%20to,owner%20of%20Snowbird%2C%2011%20percent.|website=New York Times}}</ref> The hotels at the base are all independently owned and not a part of Alta.
The ski area is owned by multiple individuals, with the largest shares being held by the [[James Laughlin|Laughlin family]] (51%), the Quinney family (25%), and the [[Richard Bass|Bass family]] (11%).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Diliberto|first=Gioia|date=March 22, 1998|title=EARNING IT; A Ski Area Without the Extremes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/22/business/earning-it-a-ski-area-without-the-extremes.html#:~:text=The%20five%20lodges%20belong%20to,owner%20of%20Snowbird%2C%2011%20percent.|website=New York Times}}</ref> The hotels at the base are all independently owned and not a part of Alta.

[[File:Elephant Butt Rock Alta Utah.jpg|thumb|Elephant Butt rock in the White Squaw Area]]


=== Partnership with Snowbird ===
=== Partnership with Snowbird ===
Beginning in the winter of 2002, Alta and its neighbor, [[Snowbird, Utah|Snowbird]], began offering a joint day pass and a joint season ticket, allowing skiers to fully access all of the terrain of both resorts. The offer coincided with the opening of a new lift in Mineral Basin, a large bowl owned by Snowbird on the back of Snowbird's Hidden Peak and Alta's Sugarloaf mountains, that allowed access to Alta from the Basin. Other access points between the two resorts exist as well. (The offer is open to skiers only, as a result of Alta's skiers-only policy; Snowbird allows snowboarders.)
Beginning in the winter of 2002, Alta and its neighbor, [[Snowbird, Utah|Snowbird]], began offering a joint day pass and a joint season ticket, allowing skiers to fully access all of the terrain of both resorts. The offer coincided with the opening of a new lift in Mineral Basin, a large bowl owned by Snowbird on the back of Snowbird's Hidden Peak and Alta's Sugarloaf mountains, that allowed access to Alta. Other access points between the two resorts exist as well. (Due to Alta's skiers-only policy, the offer is not open to snowboarders.)


===Lifts===
===Lifts===
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|[[Lift Engineering|Yan]]
|[[Lift Engineering|Yan]]
|1980
|1980
|- style="background:#eee; color:black;"
|}
|}
<gallery mode="packed" heights="700">
Image:Panoramic Alta.jpg|A view of Alta from near White Squaw Area
</gallery>


===Terrain aspects===
===Terrain aspects===
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081205040133/http://www.fourmilepress.com/about.htm Alta Skiing Guide Book] – The Powder Hound's Guide to Skiing Alta, a 160-page guide book that describes each of the important runs on one of the most challenging mountains in alpine skiing.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081205040133/http://www.fourmilepress.com/about.htm Alta Skiing Guide Book] – The Powder Hound's Guide to Skiing Alta, a 160-page guide book that describes each of the important runs on one of the most challenging mountains in alpine skiing.
*[http://skilifts.org/old/ut-alta.htm Ski Lifts.org] – Alta – current and removed lifts
*[http://skilifts.org/old/ut-alta.htm Ski Lifts.org] – Alta – current and removed lifts
* [https://snow2day.com/en/usa/alta Live Webcams]


{{Ski areas and resorts in Utah}}
{{Ski areas and resorts in Utah}}

Latest revision as of 17:07, 22 September 2024

This article is about the ski area in Utah. For Mont Alta, the ski area in Quebec, see List of former ski areas of Quebec.
Alta
Alta is located in Utah
Alta
Alta
Location in Utah
Alta is located in the United States
Alta
Alta
Alta (the United States)
LocationAlta, Utah, U.S.
Nearest major citySandy, Utah, U.S.
Coordinates40°34′51″N 111°38′14″W / 40.58083°N 111.63722°W / 40.58083; -111.63722
Vertical2,538 ft (774 m)
Top elevation11,068 ft (3,374 m)
Base elevation8,530 ft (2,600 m)
Skiable area2,614 acres (10.58 km2)
Trails116+ total
15% easiest
30% more difficult
55% most difficult[1]
Lift system7 chairlifts
1 high speed six pack
3 high speed quads
1 fixed grip quad
1 triple
1 double
5 surface tows.
Terrain parks0
Snowfall545 in (45.4 ft; 13.8 m)
Snowmakingyes
Night skiingnone
WebsiteAlta.com

Alta is a ski area in the western United States, located in the town of Alta in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, in Salt Lake County. With a skiable area of 2,614 acres (10.58 km2), Alta's base elevation is 8,530 ft (2,600 m) and rises to 11,068 ft (3,374 m) for a vertical gain of 2,538 ft (774 m). One of the oldest ski resorts in the country, it opened its first lift in early 1939.[2] Alta is known for receiving more snow than most Utah resorts,[3] with an average annual snowfall of 545 inches (13.8 m).[4] It is also regularly ranked as having the best snow in North America.[5][6][7] Alta is one of three remaining ski resorts in the U.S. that prohibit snowboarders, along with nearby competitor Deer Valley and Vermont's Mad River Glen.[8]

History

[edit]

Early history

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Alta is one of the oldest ski areas in the U.S. and is one of just three ski areas in the U.S. that prohibit snowboarders. Located at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Albion Basin and Collins Gulch, barely 30 miles (48 km) from the Great Salt Lake, Alta resides in a unique micro climate characterized by over 547 inches (1,390 cm) of high volume, low moisture snowfall annually.[9]

Alta Ski Area features long, straight, fall-line pitches. Among the most well known are Alf's High Rustler, Eddie's High Nowhere, Stone Crusher and the Baldy Chutes. Though widely respected as one of the most challenging in-bounds ski areas in the world, Alta has always viewed itself as a local's and family oriented ski area.

The community of Alta was established in 1871 as an offshoot of the silver mining operations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. A fire destroyed most of the town in 1878, then a cataclysmic avalanche in 1885—combined with the decline of mining—heralded a period of dormancy for the town. The area experienced a modest resurgence in mining in the 1900s, but the town declined again shortly thereafter, and was deserted with the exception of a few hardy miners who continued to intermittently prospect the area.[10]

In 1935 the U.S. Forest Service retained the noted skier Alf Engen to hike into the area and determine its potential as a future ski area. Engen's reports expressed great promise for the area,[11] and recommended the purchase of additional surrounding lands to form the ski area.[citation needed] In 1937 a prominent Salt Lake City lawyer, Joe Quinney, along with other local businessmen, formed the Utah Winter Sports Association to oversee the development of skiing at Alta. In the following year construction began on the original Collins chairlift, fashioned from a surplus mining ore tramway system that featured a clamp-cam bullwheel gripping a metal cable strung with single-seat chairs. It was the second such chairlift in the United States, after Sun Valley. Alta opened to skiers for the first time in 1939 on January 15,[2][3] offering a single ride on the chair for 25 cents.

Recent Developments

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Alta installed its first triple in 1991, by upgrading the Germania double chair. The resort began adding a developed snowmaking infrastructure in 1996, and the ski area continues to develop and refine the process. The late 1990s and early 2000s were marked by further modernization. In 1999 the Sunnyside lift was replaced with a detachable triple chair, the resort's first detachable chairlift. Two years later the Supreme chair was upgraded to a triple, and the Sugarloaf chair was replaced with a detachable quad. In the summer of 2004, the Collins double lift and Germania triple lifts were replaced with a single two-stage detachable quad going from the base of the former Collins lift to the top terminal of the former Germania lift. During the 2007–08 season, Alta introduced a new Axess RFID electronic lift ticket system, similar to that of the Solitude Ski Resort. During the 2008–09 season, Alta added a conveyor system at the start point of the Supreme lift that assists skiers in loading. Alta added safety bars to Sunnyside in 2010 and to Collins, Sugarloaf, and Supreme in the summer of 2011. For the 2017–18 season, Leitner-Poma built a high speed quad that replaced the former Supreme and Cecret lifts, extending from the Sugarloaf base area to the top terminal of the former Supreme lift. For the 2022-23 season, Leitner-Poma constructed a high speed six pack to replace the Sunnyside and Albion lifts.

Future Developments

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The ski area is in the process of planning for the next several years.[when?] Proposed developments include a tram to the top of Mt. Baldy, a lift from the Sugar Bowl to Sugarloaf Pass, and improvements to parking.[12]

Snowbird ski resort is accessible from Mount Baldy at Alta ski resort

On January 15, 2014, a group called Wasatch Equality[13] and four individual snowboarders filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Utah against Alta Ski Area and the United States Forest Service, seeking to permanently disallow Alta from enforcing its anti-snowboarder policy and snowboarding ban. Alta Ski Area prevailed in the ruling and continues to exclusively serve skiers.[14]

Climate

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Sugarloaf Mountain (Utah), 11,051 ft (3,368 m),[15] is a high peak within the Alta Ski Area. Sugarloaf Mountain has a subalpine climate (Köppen Dfc), bordering on an Alpine climate (Köppen ET). There is no weather station at the summit, but this climate table contains interpolated data for an area around the summit.

Climate data for Sugarloaf Mountain (Alta) 40.5641 N, 111.6236 W, Elevation: 10,482 ft (3,195 m) (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 26.1
(−3.3) 		27.3
(−2.6) 		32.2
(0.1) 		38.1
(3.4) 		47.5
(8.6) 		59.0
(15.0) 		68.3
(20.2) 		66.6
(19.2) 		57.8
(14.3) 		44.8
(7.1) 		33.3
(0.7) 		26.4
(−3.1) 		44.0
(6.6)
Daily mean °F (°C) 17.9
(−7.8) 		18.1
(−7.7) 		22.7
(−5.2) 		27.8
(−2.3) 		37.0
(2.8) 		47.6
(8.7) 		57.1
(13.9) 		55.7
(13.2) 		47.3
(8.5) 		35.1
(1.7) 		24.8
(−4.0) 		18.1
(−7.7) 		34.1
(1.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 9.8
(−12.3) 		8.9
(−12.8) 		13.3
(−10.4) 		17.6
(−8.0) 		26.4
(−3.1) 		36.1
(2.3) 		45.9
(7.7) 		44.8
(7.1) 		36.7
(2.6) 		25.4
(−3.7) 		16.2
(−8.8) 		9.8
(−12.3) 		24.2
(−4.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 7.05
(179) 		6.03
(153) 		6.09
(155) 		5.91
(150) 		4.32
(110) 		1.95
(50) 		1.32
(34) 		2.11
(54) 		2.83
(72) 		4.13
(105) 		5.18
(132) 		6.08
(154) 		53
(1,348)
Source: PRISM Climate Group[16]

The Ski Area

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The ski area is owned by multiple individuals, with the largest shares being held by the Laughlin family (51%), the Quinney family (25%), and the Bass family (11%).[17] The hotels at the base are all independently owned and not a part of Alta.

Elephant Butt rock in the White Squaw Area

Partnership with Snowbird

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Beginning in the winter of 2002, Alta and its neighbor, Snowbird, began offering a joint day pass and a joint season ticket, allowing skiers to fully access all of the terrain of both resorts. The offer coincided with the opening of a new lift in Mineral Basin, a large bowl owned by Snowbird on the back of Snowbird's Hidden Peak and Alta's Sugarloaf mountains, that allowed access to Alta. Other access points between the two resorts exist as well. (Due to Alta's skiers-only policy, the offer is not open to snowboarders.)

Lifts

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Summit of Point Supreme

Alta currently has eight lifts. Three are located in Albion Basin, two are located in Collins Gulch, one transfers skiers between the two base areas, and the remaining two access hotels.

Lift Name Length Vertical Type Make Year Installed
Collins 6,296 ft 1,840 ft High speed quad Doppelmayr CTEC 2004
Rustler 475 ft 85 ft Triple Garaventa CTEC 1999
Snowpine 487 ft 85 ft Fixed grip quad Skytrac 2018
Sugarloaf 5,042 ft 1,371 ft High speed quad Garaventa CTEC 2001
Sunnyside 4,730 ft 810 ft High speed six pack Leitner-Poma 2022
Supreme 5,134 ft 1,224 ft High speed quad Leitner-Poma 2017
Transfer Tow 2,482 ft 108 ft Platter Yan 1992
Wildcat 4,268 ft 1,226 ft Double Yan 1980
  • A view of Alta from near White Squaw Area
    A view of Alta from near White Squaw Area

Terrain aspects

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  • North: 53%
  • East: 17%
  • West: 29%
  • South: 1%

Source:[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Mountain Stats". Alta.com. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Grass, Ray (March 9, 1999). "Alta at 60". Deseret News. p. D1.
  3. ^ a b "Alta: Resorts: Ski Utah: The Greatest Snow on Earth". www.skiutah.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  4. ^ "ALTA, UTAH - Climate Summary". wrcc.dri.edu.
  5. ^ ZRankings. "North America's Best Snow for Ski Resorts". ZRankings. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  6. ^ "Weather to ski's top 10 snow-sure ski resorts – North America". www.weathertoski.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  7. ^ Hodgson, Todd (2020-07-15). "Top 10 Ski Resorts for Snowfall in North America". Ski Mag. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  8. ^ Del Sole, Christopher. "Resorts That Ban Snowboarding". snowboarding.about.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-23. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  9. ^ Hamilton, Linda (January 19, 1989). "Secret ingredient, storm patterns make Alta special". Deseret News. p. D1.
  10. ^ Grass, Ray (January 19, 1989). "Alta". Deseret News. (at 50). p. D1.
  11. ^ "Alta ski resort | SKIREBEL Magazine". Archived from the original on 2014-04-24. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  12. ^ "Welcome to Woody Creek, Colorado". Welcome to Woody Creek, Colorado.
  13. ^ Wasatch Equality web site
  14. ^ "Wasatch Equality, et al v. Alta Ski Lifts, et al".
  15. ^ "Sugarloaf Peak". Summitpost.org. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  16. ^ "PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University". PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University. Retrieved November 6, 2023. To find the table data on the PRISM website, start by clicking Coordinates (under Location); copy Latitude and Longitude figures from top of table; click Zoom to location; click Precipitation, Minimum temp, Mean temp, Maximum temp; click 30-year normals, 1991-2020; click 800m; click Retrieve Time Series button.
  17. ^ Diliberto, Gioia (March 22, 1998). "EARNING IT; A Ski Area Without the Extremes". New York Times.
  18. ^ ZRankings, Top Ski Resorts. "ZRankings Topographical Survey, Ski Terrain at Alta". ZRankings. ZRankings. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  • Shrontz, Duane (1989) Alta: a people's story Alta Ski Lifts Corp OCLC 20835855
  • Asmus, Brad (1993) Powder Hound's Guide to Skiing Alta ISBN 0-9631113-0-2
  • Engen, Alan (1998) For the Love of Skiing: A Visual History ISBN 0879058676
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