Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts
Updated: Jul 23
If you're deciding between Snowbird and Alta Ski Resort, the good news is you don't necessarily have to choose. Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, these neighboring Utah ski resorts are connected by the Alta-Snowbird Interconnect, making it easy for skiers to experience both mountains in one day. Since my husband snowboards, we spent most of our day at Snowbird, but I couldn't resist skiing over to Alta for a few hours to compare the two. Here's what I loved, what surprised me, and which resort I think is better depending on your skiing style.
Both resorts are included on the full Ikon Pass, making it easy to ski both mountains during the same trip.
How To Get Between the Resorts
It is extremely easy to get between the two resorts. On the Snowbird side, you can take the Peruvian, then the Tunnel to Mineral Basin, or Aerial Tram from Snowbird to the top. You can then ski down the Mineral Basin, take up the Baldy Chair, and skate to the Alta-Snowbird interconnect gates.
To get from Alta over to Snowbird, you will take the Collins lift and ski down to the Sugarloaf lift. At the top of the Sugarloaf lift, you can ski right over to the interconnect gates, and voila!
A few things to know before using the Alta-Snowbird Interconnect: If you're skiing with an Ikon Pass, AltaBird Pass, or another qualifying lift ticket, be sure to check that it includes access to both resorts before your trip. Keep in mind that the interconnect is only open when weather and snow conditions allow, so it's always worth checking before your trip. I found the route between the two resorts to be well marked, and the short skate between the gates only took a minute or two. If you're a confident intermediate skier, getting between Snowbird and Alta shouldn't be difficult.
Snowbird vs. Alta: At a Glance
Feature | Snowbird | Alta |
Snowboarding | ✅ Allowed | ❌ Skiers only |
Trails | 140 | 119 |
Lifts | 12 | 7 |
Terrain | Bowls, powder, trees | Moguls, glades, steeps |
Village | Modern with more dining | Rustic, classic ski atmosphere |
Parking | Mostly free | Reservations on weekends & holidays |
Snowbird Skiing Experience
Skiing at Snowbird Ski Resort completely lived up to the hype. If you love steep terrain, deep powder, wide bowls, and tree skiing, it's easy to see why it's considered one of the best ski resorts in Utah. With 140 trails and 12 lifts, they do offer plenty for everyone. They had a great mountain flow, which led to shorter lift lines.
The Gad 2 Chair serviced some awesome glades and great mogul runs. The main side of the mountain had tighter trails that required more skill to navigate.
I honestly think another shorter chair on the Hidden Peak side of the resort would make this area even better. The Peruvian lift had so many amazing trails under it, but it was the only way to ski that section of the mountain. Since the ride takes about eight minutes from bottom to top, it made lapping that terrain a little difficult.
Mineral Basin was easily one of my favorite parts of Snowbird. The wide-open bowls are famous for powder skiing, and there was plenty of room to make big turns while soaking in the views of the Wasatch Mountains. It is great for those who don't want to ride in moguls and want to feel the sun on your face as you glide through the fluff. The terrain is primarily advanced in the Mineral Basin. Be aware that there is a drop when a cliff sign is posted.
Snowbird Village and Dining
Snowbird has no shortage of places to grab a bite to eat, whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a sit-down meal after skiing. Since my original visit, the Mid-Gad Restaurant has been completely rebuilt into The Nest, and it is a huge upgrade. I've since been back and absolutely loved it. Between the floor-to-ceiling windows and the mountain views, I'd definitely recommend adding it to your day at Snowbird.
During our visit, we stopped at the old Mid-Gad Restaurant for lunch and ordered the following:
Chili ($13.50)
Fries ($7.50)
Reuben ($14)
Fountain Soda ($4.50)
The prices were a little high, but that's pretty standard for an on-mountain restaurant where everything has to be brought up the mountain. They had run out of most utensils before I got my food, so I had to eat my chili with a fork. Not the biggest deal, but you do expect to have utensils.
One thing I wish we'd had time for was visiting The Summit, Utah's highest restaurant. Even if you aren't skiing, you can ride the Aerial Tram to the top, making it a great way for non-skiers to experience the incredible views.
One thing I noticed was that all bathrooms smelled like sewage. It must be how they operate bathrooms, but I did not expect that at this resort.
The Snowbird Village had plenty to do after skiing, with restaurants, shops, and places to relax between runs. It made the resort feel lively without being overwhelming. Multiple stores with different merch options were also in the main base area lodge. Their item pricing was expensive, so I could only justify buying stickers.
Snowbird Parking Information
Most of the parking at Snowbird is free; however, they do have valet parking. I have never valeted my car, mostly because I needed to be cooler. The valet was only $25, which is extremely cheap compared to the average parking costs in Colorado.
They also have other options for parking:
Carpool (4+): there are carpool-only spots available
Paid Parking & Reservations: you can reserve a spot ahead of time in the preferred parking lots
Day-of Self-Parking: First come, first serve to park
Preferred Parking Pass: this is for those who are making Snowbird their home mountain
The biggest thing to know before visiting Alta Ski Resort is that it is a skier-only mountain. Snowboarders are not allowed, which is one of the things that makes Alta unique among Utah ski resorts. They are very serious about this rule and will escort or even fine those caught breaking it.
Alta Skiing Experience
We were skiing mid-week, so I didn't expect too much of a line, but I was wrong. Riding in the singles line for each lift I went to was about 30 mins of waiting. No matter how great the terrain may be, waiting in long lines ruins it. I want to take more than 6 runs for the day. The main bottleneck is at the Collins chair, primarily because it is the main chair to help you to other lifts at the mountain. They have 7 lifts and 119 trails.
My favorite area at Alta Ski Resort was around the Supreme Lift and Catherine's Area. Between the glades, moguls, and steeper terrain, it offered exactly the kind of skiing Alta is famous for. Everything a skier would love. I was advised that the area could have been better because of all the recent snow.
Alta Village and Shopping
The Alta base area has that classic ski-town feel. Everything reminded me of old-school skiing, from the rustic lodges to the slower pace around the village. The buildings aren't as modern as Snowbird's, but they have a lot of character. I didn't eat on the Alta side, so I can't speak to the food, but I loved wandering around.
I loved the base area shop. It was everything I had hoped for when thinking of what their shop would be like. There were retro sweaters, and it was amazing. I could have bought everything there. They also had way better pricing than Snowbird.
Alta Parking Information
Though we didn't park at Alta, they have some strict rules about parking. You have to make reservations to park for weekends and holidays. If you plan to arrive before 8 a.m., you'll need to reserve an early morning parking spot. The cost to reserve parking if you have a pass is $25.
Parking is first come, first serve from Monday through Thursday (non-holiday). It does fill up fast, so make sure to get up there early.
There are a few exceptions, so check out their parking policy to see what will apply to you.
Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts: Which One Did I Prefer?
If I had to choose just one resort, I'd probably spend most of my day at Snowbird. The variety of terrain, larger village, and the fact that snowboarders are welcome made it the better fit for our trip.
That said, Alta completely lived up to its reputation. The skiing was incredible, and I loved the old-school atmosphere that has made it one of the most iconic ski resorts in Utah.
The best part is that you don't really have to choose. Since Snowbird and Alta are connected by the interconnect, it's easy to experience both mountains in a single day. If you're a skier visiting Little Cottonwood Canyon, I'd absolutely recommend taking advantage of it.
FAQs
Can you ski between Snowbird and Alta?
Yes. Skiers can use the Alta-Snowbird Interconnect to travel between the two resorts when conditions allow. The route is well marked and relatively easy to access from both mountains.
Can snowboarders ride at Alta?
No. Alta is one of the few remaining skier-only resorts in the United States. Snowboarders should plan to ride at neighboring Snowbird instead.
Is Snowbird or Alta better for intermediate skiers?
Both Snowbird and Alta are best known for advanced terrain, but confident intermediate skiers can still have a great experience at either resort. Snowbird generally offers more variety, while Alta is especially popular with experienced skiers looking for classic terrain.
Can you visit both resorts in one day?
Yes. If conditions allow and you have the appropriate lift ticket or pass, it's easy to ski between Snowbird and Alta using the interconnect.
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