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Sun shining through Devils Castle

Sustainable
Send-Off

By Alta Environmental Center 04-22-2026

Your guide to ending the ski
season sustainably.

The 2025–26 ski season brought us some surprising records—though not the ones we typically celebrate. This season delivered record-high temperatures, record-low snowfall and the highest water-to-snow density ratio in Alta Ski Area’s recorded history. Despite these challenges, Alta locals and visitors made the most of this weird winter by charging down chalk and dialing in our slush-bump turns—making those few powder days feel that much sweeter.

In the face of an unpredictable and changing climate, our community has shown remarkable resilience. This winter, the Alta Environmental Center (AEC) saw record-breaking numbers of engagement with our on-mountain educational tours, as more people expressed interest in becoming better stewards of our land. These connections we build are essential to paving a greener path for Alta’s future.

As we wrap up the 2025–26 ski season, let’s finish strong—and sustainably. Here’s your guide for a responsible season closeout.

Keep Alta clean

Littering harms our wildlife, soil and watershed. As recreators on protected land, we each have a responsibility to help keep Alta clean by ensuring that all trash makes it into the proper waste receptacles—not left behind on our slopes.

  • Pack it in, pack it out
  • Pick up after yourself and others when needed
  • Be mindful of microplastics—small waste with a big impact
  • Aprés in the parking lot? Bring reusable cups, dishware and cutlery to reduce waste
  • If it's recyclable, please recycle it

Tread lightly

With this unusually warm winter, we’re seeing exposed ground and vegetation much earlier than in previous years. While it might seem harmless to take a few steps off the beaten path, you're stepping on sensitive, growing vegetation and restoration areas. When you encounter these exposed areas, think of the ground as lava—designated pathways, cement and snow are your safe zones. Your footprint has a bigger impact than you think.

Be Water Wise

Salt Lake City has issued a Stage 2 (Mild) Water Shortage Advisory after snowpack levels reached just 49% of average by mid-March—a clear sign we’re heading into a summer drought. As temperatures rise, now is the time to become mindful of our water usage and do our part off the slopes to protect this limited resource.

  • Fix leaks (even small ones add up fast)
  • Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes
  • Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines
  • Choose drought-tolerant or native plants for landscaping
  • Be water-wise with your sprinkler usage
  • Ditch grass for shade trees, which can lower ambient air temperatures by up to 10°F

More tips on how to conserve water >

Recycle Your Pass

All Alta cards—for both day and season use—can be reloaded online. If you plan to return next season, help reduce plastic waste by holding onto your pass. If you no longer need it, please recycle cards in the designated green pass recycling bins located at all ticket offices and the base of each lift—or pass it off to an Alta employee for recycling.

This season, we collected roughly 30 pounds of plastic ski passes per month. Through our recycling program, these passes will be sent to TerraCycle, where they will be shredded and transformed into raw materials to manufacture playgrounds and gym flooring.

Pass recycling box Pass recycling boxes located at the base of all lifts | Photo: Rocko Menzyk

Ride With a Friend

UTA Ski Bus service has ended for the season, making carpooling vitally important. Help reduce canyon congestion and emissions by riding with a friend—or a friendly stranger—on your drive up the canyon.

Gear Detox—Reuse, Repair, Recycle

As you start your spring cleaning, think twice before tossing gear in the landfill.

Donate or Sell Your Gear

Give your functional gear a second life by passing it on to a friend, participating in a local gear swap or donating it to community organizations. Outdoor gear can be pricey—so, if you're looking to make a few bucks, try consigning at a local gear shop or online.

Donate or sell your gear

Repair Before Replacing

You don’t need to be a seamstress to extend the life of your gear. Learn a new skill by exploring DIY repair guides or get some help by visiting local repair clinics.

Retiring Your Gear

If your gear has reached the end of its life—whether it's irreparable, unsellable, unsafe or simply unfit for use—it's time to consider retirement. Before throwing it in the garbage, take a moment to visit the brand's website for details on trade-ins, repair services and recycling options. To prevent these items from ending up in landfills, explore local resources that accept hard-to-recycle materials so they can be disposed of responsibly.

Get Informed and Advocate

Stay informed and take action on climate change, environmental policy and advocacy at both the national and local levels. Whether you're looking to learn, volunteer or influence policy, these organizations are great places to start.

Federal Advocacy

These organizations focus on shaping national climate policy and engaging with Congress and federal agencies:

Citizens Climate Lobby at Alta Earth Day

Local Advocacy

These groups work on state legislation, local issues and community action in Utah:

Grow the Flow at Alta Earth Day

Carry It Into Summer

Sustainability doesn’t end with ski season. Carry these habits into summer and continue protecting the ecosystems that make outdoor recreation possible. Get outside, connect with your community and make a tangible impact on the places you love by volunteering with local nonprofit organizations such as:

Thank you for helping us keep Alta green and clean. See you next season!