Exploring Alta’s
avian world on skis.
Explore Alta from a bird’s-eye view with the AEC and expert birders from Tracy Aviary on a guided birding tour—on skis! Learn about the birds that call Alta home and how to identify them by sight and sound. We’ll ski intermediate terrain, stopping at some of our favorite birding locations to look and listen for year-round residents and seasonal visitors. Whether you’re an experienced birder or simply curious about the wildlife sharing the slopes, this tour offers a fun and unique way to experience Alta’s mountain environment.
These tours are part of Alta’s year-round, non-breeding bird survey program, which has monitored local birds and their habitats for more than 12 years. Our observations help track bird populations and changes in habitat health. All survey data are recorded on eBird, where they are publicly available and contribute to broader research and conservation efforts.
*Tours are weather permitting
when
First and third Thursdays of the month | 9am–noon
December 3rd
December 17th
January 7th
January 21st
February 4th
February 18th
March 4th
March 18th
April 1st
April 17th | Alta Earth Day
Where
Alta Ski Area | Location disclosed with registration
about
A valid lift ticket or season pass is required to participate
Participants must be at least 12 years of age and able to ski intermediate groomed runs
Alta Bird Monitoring Program
Very little is known about the resilient birds that have adapted to survive and thrive in the harsh conditions of the Wasatch Mountains. Since 2015, the Alta Environmental Center has collaborated with Tracy Aviary to study local bird populations in Little Cottonwood Canyon. This research aims to better understand which species inhabit the area, the roles they play in the ecosystem, how they have adapted to high-elevation habitats and how we can implement bird-friendly practices in the ski area to protect and preserve their homes.
We invite the public to participate in our studies by joining us for our monthly, year-round surveys—Birding Hikes in the summer and Birding on Skis in the winter—led by Tracy Aviary's Conservation Biologist and Citizen Scientist. Participants of all experience levels can help document bird species, examine their habitats and learn bird identification skills. All data collected is uploaded to eBird, which aids in tracking population trends and informs conservation efforts within the Alta community.
Learn more about the Alta Bird Monitoring program >
Partners
For more information, please email environment@alta.com.
