Ikon Pass
$199/day
North America
Alta
Utah, United States★4.8editor's rating
Alta sits at the top of Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon and averages 545 inches of the light, dry powder that made the Wasatch famous. Skiing here since 1938 and still skiers-only, it trades high-speed village glitz for steep chutes, wide-open bowls, and a purist mountain culture, with limited Ikon Pass access and a combined Alta-Snowbird ticket for the full canyon experience.
Lift Ticket
$199/day
Vertical Drop
2,538 ft
Skiable Area
2,614 acres
Annual Snowfall
545"
Best For
Powder Purists (Skiers Only)
Terrain Breakdown
Beginner 15% Intermediate 30% Advanced 55%
Mountain Stats
Base Elevation
8,530 ft
Summit Elevation
11,068 ft
Vertical Drop
2,538 ft
Skiable Area
2,614 acres
Lifts
8
Runs
118
Annual Snowfall
545"
Season
Late November – Late April
Pass
Ikon Pass
Night Skiing
No
Terrain Parks
No
Nearest Town
Alta, UT
Highlights
545 inches of average annual snowfall - among the most of any US resortSkiers-only mountain, one of just three left in AmericaLegendary steeps like High Rustler, Baldy Chutes, and Devil's CastleSecond-oldest ski area in the US, operating since 1938Alta-Bird combo ticket links 4,700+ acres with SnowbirdClassic no-frills lodges instead of a mega-resort village
Pros
- ✓Arguably the best and most consistent powder snow in North America
- ✓Cheaper day tickets than the big corporate resorts nearby
- ✓Deep terrain variety from mellow Albion Basin to serious steeps
- ✓Uncrowded feel and a devoted, old-school ski culture
- ✓Quick 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City airport
Cons
- ✗Snowboarding is banned - skiers only
- ✗Powder-day canyon traffic (the 'red snake') and interlodge closures
- ✗Parking reservations now required on weekends and holidays
- ✗Limited nightlife and lodging compared to destination villages
Photo: Sbvr6 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
← Back to All Resorts