Alta, Utah — Last night, Alta announced some exciting news, as Utah’s snowiest ski area revealed its opening day for the 2025-26 season. Starting on Sunday, the Sunnyside and Collins lifts are scheduled to operate, and more lifts and terrain could open up depending on how much snow they get this weekend.
For more information, check out Alta’s press release below.
88 YEARS OF ALTA STARTS SUNDAY
Located in the incomparable alpine setting of the Wasatch Mountains at an elevation of 8,530 feet, Alta Ski Area offers legendary powder snow and an atmosphere steeped in tradition.
Alta Ski Area has served as a powder haven for skiers across the globe for nearly nine decades—88 years and counting. Help us commemorate a major milestone this winter by joining the Alta family in leaving some Powder 8s in fresh snow alongside your friends. Make your mark on the mountain with us for Alta’s special 88th Anniversary by tagging @altaskiarea and using #Alta88th.
After patiently waiting for winter’s arrival, Alta’s 88th season will commence on Sunday, December 7th. Due to the incoming storm that has the potential to deliver large snow totals this weekend, we anticipate a limited opening. Sunnyside lift will open. Collins lift will open, conditions permitting. We recommend at least intermediate skiers on Sunnyside and expert skiers only on Collins due to early-season conditions.
Please check Alta.com for anticipated terrain openings as we draw closer to a snowy Sunday Opening Day.
Additional information about Opening Day on December 7th:
- Alta Ski Shops in Wildcat and Albion base areas will be open from 8:30am–5pm
- Dining options include a full menu at Albion Grill, Watson Cafe (condition-dependent) and a limited menu at Alf’s Restaurant
- Check UTA’s website for the current Ski Bus schedule and route information
- Parking reservations are not required for Opening Weekend
It was the busiest summer in recent Alta history as crews worked around the mountain to improve and enhance the skiing experience. We appreciated the public’s patience as the dynamic project schedule required temporary trail closures around the mountain.
The following initiatives kept Alta’s crews busy this offseason:Â
- Completion of the Supreme lift realignment project
- Upgrading snowmaking pipes for Alta Ski Area and utility lines for the Town of Alta
- Upgrading the Alta Lodge tow rope
- Eight weeks of hand-cutting along the High Traverse to improve access to expert powder skiing terrain
- Installation of four new Wyssen Towers (RACS) for avalanche mitigation in the Devil’s Castle and Sugarloaf Peak areas
- A remodel of the mid-mountain Baldy Brews coffee shop at Watson Shelter
- Construction of a new storage facility in the Albion base area
- Initiation of a multi-year project to expand the Albion Day Lodge—expected to debut in winter 2026–27—the expansion will greatly increase dining space for guests and provide a new location for Alta Java while adding more patio space, guest lockers, a fireplace, administrative offices and 12 employee housing units
Parking Information
Beginning Friday, December 12th, online parking reservations will be required from 8am–1pm every Friday–Sunday & Holiday Periods. The reservation system provides Alta skiers with peace of mind on weekends and holiday periods (December 19th through January 4th in addition to January 19th and February 16th). Reservations will conclude on Sunday, April 5, 2026—though they will be required on Closing Day, Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Beginning December 12th, Early Morning Reservations are required daily for backcountry users and those who wish to park prior to 8am in the South Flagstaff lot. Please check with UDOT Avalanche for any backcountry closures and the Parking and Road Status of Little Cottonwood Canyon prior to your departure.
The UTA Ski Bus
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Ski Bus service to Alta Ski Area and Snowbird on Route 994 is scheduled to begin on Friday, December 5th and run through April 12, 2026. The Canyon Service routes CS1 and CS2 will begin on December 7th and run daily through April 12, 2026. Visit UTA’s website for routes, current schedules and additional information.Â
Qualifying Alta season passholders, Ikon passholders, skiers using the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass and canyon employees may ride the Ski Bus for free by scanning their season pass on the Ski Bus card reader. Ditch the stress of winter driving and catch a ride on the Ski Bus!
Alf Engen Ski School
For nine decades, skiers have benefitted from the instruction and expertise of Alta’s Alf Engen Ski School. Tradition alongside innovation make the Alf Engen Ski School a premier destination for skiers seeking progression and freedom in the mountains. From never-evers to off-piste experts, the variety of classes and quality of instruction will forever change the way you ski. Online registration is available for private lessons, classes, camps and multi-week programming—for kids and adults.
A few tempting offerings include:
Adult Learn-To-Ski—a discounted four-week program for first-time, adult skiers
Silver Skis—a comprehensive five-week program for ages 60 and up
Tele Time—An adult, five-week telemark workshop on Saturday mornings
Women’s Camps—Camps of every flavor for women seeking community and a supportive learning environment
Alta Ski Shop
Early season is the best time to refresh your ski kit, grab a new baselayer, invest in professional bootfitting with our expert staff or peruse the largest selection of last season’s discounted demo skis and outerwear. Alta Ski Shop offers online ski rentals and demos for all ages and abilities.
Albion and Wildcat locations are currently open daily from 9am–4:30pm. Beginning on Opening Day, Alta Ski Shop locations will operate 8:30am–5pm daily.
Alta Environmental Center
The Alta Environmental Center (AEC) was created by Alta in 2008 to guide the ski area’s sustainability efforts and provide stewardship for the natural environment in which we operate.
It was a bustling summer for the AEC as they assisted crews around the mountain with projects such as the Supreme lift realignment and the replacement of aging snowmaking pipes and utilities beneath the Transfer Tow. The AEC actively managed construction efforts to minimize impacts before, during and after any land disturbance while laying future plans for multi-year revegetation projects.
With the support of fellow Alta employees, community partners and volunteers this summer, the AEC planted 11,554 plants and 1,206 trees, harvested 143 tree saplings and surveyed and pulled 108 acres for invasive weeds. In partnership with several local organizations, the AEC also hosted 28 educational stewardship events that welcomed 2,241 participants.
An exciting new initiative from the AEC this winter encompasses reloading, reusing and recycling plastic RFID lift tickets. Returning Alta skiers can make their own positive impact on sustainability by reloading used RFID season passes or day tickets to reduce plastic consumption. After a successful pilot program last season, the AEC will also provide RFID recycling bins at strategic locations around the mountain. At the end of the season, the plastic collected for recycling will be shipped off-site to be converted into flooring for gyms and playgrounds. The AEC aims to reduce plastic usage at Alta by encouraging skiers to reload passes or recycle unneeded RFID cards.
Dive deeper into Alta’s fascinating ecology, geology and history by joining the AEC this winter on one of our many Winter Education Programs—Trees on Skis, Ski With a Ranger, Snowshoe With a Naturalist and more.
Continued Partnerships
Alta Ski Area will once again welcome Ikon Pass and Mountain Collective passholders this winter. Please note that Alta remains on the Ikon Pass, however the Ikon Base Pass does not include access to Alta. Guests using Ikon or Mountain Collective passes will need to make parking reservations if skiing Friday–Sunday & Holiday Periods from 8am–1pm.
Despite a belated start to our 88th season, we hope to see you making Powder 8 tracks alongside your powder pal of choice to pay homage to nearly nine decades of tradition at Alta.
Additional Resources
Our 2025 Summer & Fall Projects
Parking at Alta
Getting Here: Transportation Hub
Celebrate Alta’s 88th
Image Credits: Alta Ski Area
