Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah
Alta Ski Area
Alta is a ski-only mountain in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Its two base areas matter to a first visit: Albion is the starting point for beginner and family terrain, while Wildcat is geared toward intermediate and expert skiers.
- Skiing only
- Albion beginner terrain
- Wildcat intermediate and expert start
Alta snow forecast
Forecast
Issued
First snow shown in this forecast: Fri, Nov 13, 2026 (night). New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) possible. Then Sat, Nov 14, 2026: 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) possible. Sat, Nov 14, 2026 (night): Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Tue, Nov 10, 2026 (early hours)Low 33°F (1°C)
Mostly Cloudy
Wind from the west-southwest, 6 mph (10 km/h)
- Tue, Nov 10, 2026High 43°F (6°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
Mostly Sunny
Night: Mostly Clear
Wind from the west-northwest, 5 mph (8 km/h)
- Wed, Nov 11, 2026High 46°F (8°C)Low 33°F (1°C)
Sunny
Night: Mostly Clear
Wind from the south, 3 mph (5 km/h)
- Thu, Nov 12, 2026High 47°F (8°C)Low 32°F (0°C)
Sunny
Night: Partly Cloudy
Wind from the west, 1 to 6 mph (2 to 10 km/h)
- Fri, Nov 13, 2026High 42°F (6°C)Low 32°F (0°C)
Mostly Sunny
Night: Chance Light Snow
New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) possible.
Wind from the south-southeast, 5 to 9 mph (8 to 14 km/h)
- Sat, Nov 14, 2026High 36°F (2°C)Low 29°F (-2°C)
Snow Showers Likely then Light Snow Likely
New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) possible.
Night: Chance Light Snow
Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wind from the southwest, 3 to 9 mph (5 to 14 km/h)
- Sun, Nov 15, 2026High 38°F (3°C)Low 30°F (-1°C)
Slight Chance Light Snow
Night: Chance Light Snow
New snow accumulation of less than one inch (under 2.5 cm) possible.
Wind from the southwest, 3 to 8 mph (5 to 13 km/h)
- Mon, Nov 16, 2026High 36°F (2°C)
Light Snow Likely
New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) possible.
Wind from the south, 3 to 8 mph (5 to 13 km/h)
Forecast for the resort’s coordinates from National Weather Service (opens in a new tab). Conditions vary with elevation. It is a weather forecast, not an avalanche or terrain assessment. Leaving the ski area boundary? Check the regional avalanche forecast (opens in a new tab). Times are the resort’s local time.
Forecast source: National Weather Service. Check the update time and the resort's current operating report before confirming your day.
Terrain and ability at Alta
Sunnyside serves green and blue runs from Albion. Collins and Wildcat do not provide beginner terrain. Alta also has steeper terrain and traverses, so matching your group's comfort with the actual route is more useful than describing everyone simply as experienced.
Alta Ski Area is a ski-only resort; snowboarding is not permitted. Read the resort's policy. Riding with snowboarders? See which mountains ban snowboards and how to plan around them.
Getting to Alta
Alta is at the end of Highway 210 (Little Cottonwood Canyon Road), a 13-mile dead-end road that crosses 64 avalanche paths and may be closed or restricted to travel. Alta says state law requires snow tires or chains carried in the vehicle from November 1 to May 1, and UDOT may limit Highway 210 to vehicles that meet its traction requirements. Check UDOT Cottonwood Canyons road information before leaving.
Arrival, bases and lessons
Choose Albion or Wildcat before arranging a carpool. During the posted 2026/27 reservation period, Alta requires parking reservations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday and during holiday periods. Check the exact dates, canyon road updates and current ski-bus service before leaving.
Plan a meetup at Alta
Put the base area and a specific public lodge landmark in the invitation. Beginners and friends skiing Collins should plan a later regrouping rather than assume their first lift will be the same. Snowboarders need a different mountain.
Use the meetup message planner for Alta to agree on your date, terrain, pace and meeting point.
Official sources for this mountain guide
Guide checked against these official sources on . Use these resort sources for current maps, lesson meeting points and visitor information. Confirm tickets, reservations and open terrain for your date.
- Official first-visit guide (opens in a new tab)
- Official base-area guide (opens in a new tab)
- Official equipment policy (opens in a new tab)
- Alta 2026/27 parking reservations (opens in a new tab)
- Official driving and traction guide (opens in a new tab)
- UDOT Cottonwood Canyons road information (opens in a new tab)
Spot something out of date? Email powwowllc1@gmail.com and we'll check it against the resort.
Ride Alta with SkiBuds
Find people to ski Alta with
Start with the date, terrain, pace, and a public meeting point. Confirm lift access and the resort's current report before the day. SkiBuds' rebuilt app is coming soon, with rider discovery and conversations to help you plan with ski friends.
Use the snow forecast guide and powder-day group plan to confirm the weather together. Explore more Utah mountains and riding meetups.
Resorts near Alta
- Snowbird Ski and Summer ResortUtah · 1 mi (2 km)
- Brighton Ski ResortUtah · 3 mi (5 km)
- Solitude Mountain ResortUtah · 3 mi (5 km)
- Park City Mountain ResortUtah · 8 mi (13 km)
- Deer Valley ResortUtah · 9 mi (15 km)
- Snowbasin ResortUtah · 45 mi (72 km)
Straight-line distance. Mountain roads make the drive longer.