These Are The Best Resorts in the West for a Weekend Getaway
These are the resorts to choose when you've got no time to lose, according to SKI's Reader Resort Survey. Check them out here.
Alta, Little Cottonwood Canyon’s skier-only gem, claims one of the most loyal followings in all of skidom, who never fail to give this mountain high praise for its tough terrain, plentiful powder, easy access, and great value. New snowmaking machines will ideally get the slopes open around Thanksgiving, and the resort plans to keep the lifts spinning into May again if the snow gods provide. Don’t miss the high-speed Supreme chair, which services some of the best terrain in the West.
Annual Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
547″ | 2,614 | 11 | 116+ |
Alta is on the Ikon Pass and the Mountain Collective. Ikon Pass holders get 7 days with no blackouts; Ikon Base pass holders get 5 blackout-restricted days. Mountain Collective pass holders get 2 days at the resort, with 50 percent off additional lift tickets.
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Alta, Utah
Sitting at the top of the canyon, Catherine’s Area traps the most powder in Little Cottonwood, making it the place to find powder stashes days after winter storms.
80-year-olds and older have earned the privilege of skiing for free. We salute that.
Head to the P-dog to take a shot-ski, listen to live music, and bump elbows with the locals. You might even run into your favorite pro skier.
Coffee? Stop at Alta Java for a Susie’s Special.
Shred a T-to-B run on north-facing High Boy (Alf’s High Rustler on the map). It always holds the best snow.
We’ll spare you the details about how amazing the fare is at Collins Grill and leave it at this: the Heart of Darkness Cupcake. Trust us, it’s worth every calorie.
Ski the Alta-Snowbird Connect via Keyhole or Mineral Basin and take in the giant scale of Little Cottonwood Canyon’s high peaks.
Ski to Alta Java at the Albion base for a Susie’s Special (dirty chai, extra espresso, extra love, and semi-secret ingredients) before taking another Highboy lap.
Alta’s iconic Highboy run (officially called Alf’s High Rustler) is T2B—top-to-bar, that is—meaning you can ski the advanced, ungroomed run all the way to the deck at Goldminer’s Daughter.
These are the resorts to choose when you've got no time to lose, according to SKI's Reader Resort Survey. Check them out here.
Trees, couloirs, and cliffs, oh my! When high angles get your blood pumping, these are the ski areas that should be on your go list.
Don't even think about ordering a Bud when there are locally inspired brews to be had at your favorite ski town this season.
Everyone wants legs of steel as soon as the chairlifts begin turning. But in order to get there, it’s time to start putting in the work now.
The debate rages in Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon over the two most recent proposals: gondola or expanded bus service.
The Snowpine Lodge first opened as a public shelter for skiers in 1939. Here's what it looks like nearly a century later.
Even without the powder, this skier's haven is still pretty dang rad.
Check out Keri Bascetta's author page.
With eight feet of snow in four days, Utah's Alta and Snowbird are officially buried.
Bring the European experience home by touring three ski areas in the Cottonwood Canyons.