Facilities & Services

For a resort that prides itself on being “no-frills”, the village of Alta has more than adequate facilities to service skiers. These are mainly at either the Albion or Wildcat base, with a few services also in the lodges either side of the Wildcat base.

Eating On Mountain You’ll be spoiled for choice for places to grab something to eat in between runs. Many of the eateries afford fantastic views.

Mid-mountain is the Collins Grill on the third level of the Watson Shelter (mid-Collins lift). This restaurant provides waiter service and food at good prices, and has a deck for outdoor dining. You can also get food downstairs at the Watson Grill, and Baldy Brews has hot, cold and alcoholic beverages (well as alcoholic as it gets in Utah). Near the base of the Sugarloaf lift is Alf’s Restaurant with food typical of a cafeteria. For more than your average cafeteria food, the Albion Grill at the Albion base has a great range of healthy food in addition to the standard fare.

The typical Alta lodge provides meals (see Alta food and nightlife) and the Goldminer’s also has other options other than the formal restaurant. The Slopeside Café and Espresso bar has cheap lunches, and the bar upstairs has Mexican food.

Facilities for Children The resort provides a state-licensed child care facility for babies from 6 weeks of age up to 9 year olds, and child care can be combined with a 2 hour ski lesson. Costs are pretty much the same as for other Utah ski resorts. It is advised to make reservations prior to arrival.

Some of the lodges offer special supervised programs for children especially during peak periods.

Ski School The ski school is one of few ski schools in the world that hasn’t had to change their name to “mountain school” to be inclusive of snowboarders. Obviously no snowboard tuition is held here! The Alf Engen Ski School is named after the founder of Alta, the crazy Norwegian who took Utah by storm and enjoyed ski jumping. The school runs fairly standard programs in both private and group formats, as well telemark workshops for beginners up to experts. Children under four must have private lessons.

For a mountain with such a great skiing reputation, it is surprising that lessons are well priced. The children’s lessons aren’t cheap, but adults wanting to brush up on technique should make the most of the very reasonable prices. Both private and group lessons are cheaper than at neighbouring Snowbird.

Alta Ski Rental There are multiple options for ski rental at Alta. Many people choose to rent equipment from their lodge but there are other options including Alta ski shop, Alta Sports, and the Deep Powder House shops. There is also a demo centre mid-mountain at Alfs restaurant.

The standard rental shops offer both recreational and demo ski packages for alpine and telemark skiing, and prices are very, very good when compared to rentals at Snowbird and the Park City resorts. They also have plenty of fat skis which might be required in the deep Alta powder.

The Alta Peruvian Lodge has a small rental area run by Craig who like many other locals, is an institution of Alta. He only rents out high end skis, and also runs a quality repair workshop. All the other shops have repair facilities, but if you’ve got a tricky repair or need your bases done after a rock encounter at Snowbird, then go to Craig.