For many western ski resorts, the significant snowfall over the past couple of weeks was a boost to begin their preparations for opening. For Alta Ski Area in Utah, it was both a blessing and a curse. While the significant snow has been helpful for the ski area to develop a strong base, it has made the construction of the new Sunnyside six-pack chairlift difficult.
In their latest blog post, Alta announced that supply chain issues will lead to a delayed opening for their new high-speed chairlift. They originally wanted to have it open in late November, but they’re now aiming to have its grand opening during the holiday season. The new lift is replacing the Sunnyside Triple, a high-speed triple chairlift that will open at Red Lodge Mountain during the 2023-24 season.
Alta’s current opening day is set for November 18th. They expect to have the Collins Gulch open, meaning the Collins and Wildcat chairlifts will likely be operating. Beginner terrain will be limited to the Snowpine chairlift and the various surface lifts between the base areas. Currently, uphill travel is open during the daytime, but it’s prohibited between 6 pm and 7:30 am.
