Making the most of the holidays at alta.
We welcome the many families and skiers returning to Alta for the holidays. For 88 winters, our mountain has drawn families and friends together during the most wonderful time of the year. The snow and conditions vary from year to year, but the tradition remains the same—returning to Alta to enjoy time on the mountain. This holiday season, make the most of your time at Alta and catch up with our latest holiday events, conditions updates and parking and transportation tips.
With all five lifts and 80-plus runs open regularly, we're primed for a snowy and fun holiday season.
After an unusually warm and slow start to the 2025–26 season at Alta Ski Area, December has welcomed the return of snow. While our season-to-date snowfall is well below average, the snow that's fallen at Alta has been dense, allowing our crews to open all five lifts and plenty of groomed and off-piste terrain. We're Open and We're Skiing >
With the opening of Supreme to expert skiers, all five of our lifts are open—providing access to over 80 open runs for all ability levels. Please keep in mind that the most recent storm cycle is falling on early-season snowpack and our hard-working Cat Crew, Mountain Operations, and Alta Ski Patrol teams are working to open additional terrain. Stay tuned to our Lift and Terrain Status page for daily grooming and off-piste updates.
December started with a week of high pressure as our snowmaking crews worked around the clock to add a little depth to our groomed runs. A series of storms delivered over 20 inches of snow by mid-month. The new snow helped us open four of our five main lifts—with Supreme set to open soon—and Alta Ski Patrol has continued to add additional terrain seemingly by the day.
December 20th: Supreme lift is open for the season | Photo: Photo-John
Some Tips for Enjoying Early-Season Skiing
- Slow down and take it easy—Alta Ski Patrol will be doing speed checks around the mountain
- Be kind to your fellow skiers—we’re all still trying to build up our ski legs
- Limited groomed terrain available—ski in smaller groups
- Expect low-snow conditions—hazards exist when skiing off-piste
- Only stop where you can be seen from above—look uphill before merging into a groomed run
Holiday Traditions.
The winter holidays are a great time to participate in some of Alta’s time-honored traditions. Enjoy some tips on how to make the most of your time, both on and off the snow, at Alta.
Ski With Santa on Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24th
Before heading out to deliver presents around the globe, Santa loves to spend a few hours skiing powder at Alta Ski Area. Keep an eye out for Santa on Sunnyside and Sugarloaf lifts between 10am and 1pm on Christmas Eve. Santa is a powderhound, so if there's fresh snow, you may find him skiing powder in Westward Ho Ho Ho.
New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks | Wednesday, December 31st
Please join us for our annual New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade and fireworks show. Enjoy an outdoor bonfire and watch the fireworks show from the Town of Alta and Alta Ski Area. The bonfire will be lit at 5pm. The torchlight parade and fireworks will begin at 6pm.
NYE Torchlight Parade & Fireworks >
Spectators can watch from the Goldminer’s Daughter as skiers make their way to the base area as the Alta Ski Patrol lights the sky with a firework show above the Collins Gulch. Learn more >
NYE Torchlight parade | Photo: Photo-John
Holiday Après-Ski.
The Igloo at the Snowpine Lodge
Friday–Sunday | 7–10am (grab-and-go breakfast), Noon–6pm
Grab a bite to eat or a tasty beverage while warming up in the Snowpine Igloo. Enjoy expansive views from the comfort of a heated and spacious slopeside Igloo at the snow level of the Snowpine Lodge. Don't miss the weekly grooves with a DJ spinning tunes every Saturday from 3–6pm.
The Gulch Pub at the Snowpine Lodge
Open Daily | 11:30am–9pm
With a unique menu, comfortable atmosphere, and a wide variety of beer, wines, and cocktails, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day on the slopes.
Slopeside Cafe at the Goldminer's Daughter Lodge
Open Daily | 7:30am–6pm
Located slopeside in the Wildcat base area, the Slopeside Cafe on the GMD patio is the perfect spot to soak in some sun and share an après-ski beverage.
The Peruvian Bar at the Alta Peruvian Lodge
Open Daily | 3:30–10pm
The Peruvian bar—known locally as the P Dog—is a local favorite and one of the liveliest places in Alta, especially during après-ski.
Holiday Trip Planning Tips.
Holiday Parking Reservations
During the holidays, parking reservations are required to park at Alta from 8am–1pm daily between Friday, December 19th and Sunday, January 4th. These reservations help us manage the ski experience by limiting the number of skiers to available terrain and lift capacity. We release additional parking reservations on Sundays at 3pm for the upcoming week—set a reminder.
If you are unable to make a reservation, please carpool with someone who has a reservation or plan to ski after 1pm when reservations are no longer required.
Using Your Ikon Pass
Alta Ski Area no longer accepts the Ikon Base Pass, but we are still part of the Ikon family. Skiers must have a full Ikon Pass to ski Alta.
The Ikon Friends and Family discount provides 25% off an Alta-Bird day pass for a friend or family member (not yourself), available day of at any ticket window. Ikon passholders are required to make parking reservations from 8am–1pm daily from December 19th through January 4th.
Mountain Collective
The Mountain Collective Pass provides two days of skiing at Alta and two days of skiing at Snowbird. Additional ski days are 50% off at Alta and Snowbird. There are no blackout dates, even during the holiday season. Mountain Collective passholders are required to make parking reservations from 8am–1pm daily from December 19th through January 4th.
Mountain Collective and Alta >
Ride the Ski Bus
The Utah Transit Authority has expanded Ski Bus service to Alta Ski Area. The 994 Route is now joined by Canyon Service buses (CS1 & CS2). Ride the Ski Bus this holiday season or make riding the Ski Bus one of your New Year's resolutions.
Skip the rental car
If you're staying at any of Alta's independently-owned lodges, skip the rental car and take a private shuttle to Alta.
Free Transportation Around Alta
When you arrive at Alta, you won’t need a vehicle to get around. The Town of Alta provides three free shuttle services during the ski season—offering convenient daily transportation between Alta and Snowbird seven days a week.
Driving To Alta
Alta Ski Area sits at the end of Highway 210. The 13-mile road is a stunning and beautiful ride, even for the most seasoned local, but needs to be treated with respect during the winter months.
If you're planning on driving to Alta this holiday season, make sure your vehicle is up to the task and meets the UDOT Traction Law requirements. Brush up on Winter Driving Tips and get your vehicle pre-inspected and pick up your UDOT Cottonwood Canyons sticker.
Rental Cars
Planning on renting a car? Book your reservation with a rental car company that participates in the UDOT Cottonwood Canyons Sticker Program. These vehicles meet the requirements when the Traction Law is in effect.
Did you know? You can book parking reservations without knowing your rental car's license plate number. Simply enter "RENTAL" as your plate number and update your reservation when you pick up your rental car.
Driving a Rental Car to Alta >
LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS.
Reserve a Kid's Lesson With the Alf Engen Ski School
The Ski Adventures and Mountain Explorers programs offer skillful instruction for children of all abilities. We can help the newest skier feel comfortable both on and off the snow or take the young expert to Alta's challenging powder stashes. The goal of our certified staff is to give your children a great ski school experience and create lifelong family memories of skiing together at Alta. Our Ski Adventure staff look forward to sharing their passion for the lifelong sport of skiing with your children.
Ski School For Adults
The Alf Engen Ski School offers adult-specific programs for all levels of skiers. From individuals learning to ski or seasoned veterans looking to refine the final tools in a ski toolbox, our Adult Multi-Week Programs make for the perfect holiday present for a loved one—or yourself.
Alta Ski Shop
Need to do a little last-minute gift shopping? The Alta Ski Shops have you covered. From stocking stuffers to brand-new ski gear, the Alta Ski Shops in the Albion Day Lodge and the Wildcat Ticket Office are open daily through the holiday season. The Alta Ski Shop in the mid-mountain Alf's Restaurant has Alta-branded swag and ski day essentials.
New this holiday season, Alta Ski Shop is offering Bootfitting Appointments in the Albion Day Lodge location. Enjoy a one-on-one, sit-down appointment with an experienced bootfitter who will help you find the right boots and products so you can get the most out of your day on the mountain.
Schedule a Bootfitting Appointment
Visiting Alta during the holidays? You can now make online reservations for your rental and demo ski gear from the Alta Ski Shop. Order ahead, skip the line and pick up your gear at the Albion ski shop location.
Add Your Comment