Little Cottonwood Canyon
Alta Ski Area
Skiers only. Top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Checked against official sources 28 Oct 2026 · Official site ↗
- From SLC airport
- 32 mi · about 45 min
- Skiable acres
- 2,614
- Vertical
- 2,538 ft
- Summit
- 11,068 ft
- Avg snowfall
- 543 in
- Lifts
- 5
Terrain: 15% beginner · 31% intermediate · 53% advanced (resort or Ski Utah figures).
Snow near Alta
Loading station data…
Atwater SNOTEL at Alta’s base, 8,750 ft. The resort posts its own snow report.
Getting there from SLC airport
Alta says 32 miles from the airport. Storm days and avalanche road closures can add hours.
Every way from SLC airport to Alta →
Parking 2026–27
Reservation required Friday–Sunday and holidays, 8am–1pm, from Dec 11 to Apr 4 (and Closing Day). $25, or $10 with an online lift ticket. Before 8am, an early-parking reservation is needed every day. New this season: four active reservations per account, and a $100 no-show fee after one warning. Parking without one risks a fine (Alta lists $150 to $250).
Passes and lift tickets
| Ikon | 7 days, shared with Snowbird |
|---|---|
| Ikon Base | Not valid |
| Epic | Not valid |
| Mountain Collective | 2 days, no blackouts |
| Indy | Not valid |
| Power Pass | Not valid |
| Day tickets | 2026–27 day tickets go on sale in early November. Cheapest when bought four or more days ahead; full price inside four days. A full-day ticket comes with $15 off a weekend parking reservation. |
Buy day tickets ↗ Ways to pay less
Bus and shuttles
UTA 994 from Historic Sandy Station, plus CS1 and CS2 canyon routes. Ski buses start Dec 6, 2026; $5 each way, free with Ikon, Alta or Alta-Bird passes. A free Town of Alta shuttle links Alta’s two bases and Snowbird.
Where to stay
Slopeside lodges: Alta Lodge, Rustler Lodge, Alta Peruvian Lodge, Snowpine Lodge, Goldminer’s Daughter.
Good to know
- Skiers only. Snowboards aren’t allowed.
- Two separate bases: Albion for beginners and ski school, Wildcat for advanced terrain. Pick one before you park.
- Interlodge: in heavy avalanche cycles the Town of Alta orders everyone indoors and closes SR-210. It usually lasts hours, occasionally longer.
- Ikon Base and Session passes don’t work here. Full Ikon gives 7 days shared with Snowbird.
- To ski Alta and Snowbird on the same day you need an Alta-Bird ticket or pass.
Best for
ExpertsPowderSkiers onlyLodge stays
Common questions
How far is Alta from Salt Lake City airport?
32 miles, about 45 min in good conditions. Alta says 32 miles from the airport. Storm days and avalanche road closures can add hours.
Do I need a parking reservation at Alta?
Reservation required Friday–Sunday and holidays, 8am–1pm, from Dec 11 to Apr 4 (and Closing Day). $25, or $10 with an online lift ticket. Before 8am, an early-parking reservation is needed every day. New this season: four active reservations per account, and a $100 no-show fee after one warning. Parking without one risks a fine (Alta lists $150 to $250).
Can you snowboard at Alta?
No. Alta is skiers only.
Does Alta take the Ikon or Epic Pass?
Ikon: 7 days, shared with Snowbird. Not on Epic.
Nearby
Sources
Checked 28 Oct 2026. Acres, snowfall and other stats are the resort’s own numbers. If something is out of date, email us.
- https://www.alta.com/about
- https://www.alta.com/Ikon/
- https://www.alta.com/first-time-skiing-alta
- https://www.alta.com/getting-here/parking-info
- https://www.altaparking.com/parkingbasics
- https://shop.alta.com/lift-tickets
- https://www.alta.com/tickets-and-passes/season-pass-alternatives
- https://www.alta.com/tickets-and-passes/alta-bird