Offseason project updates.
Amid a summer filled with 100-degree days in the Salt Lake Valley, we are now just 100 days away from the start of the 2026–27 ski season. Our summer employees have been busy tackling several projects that will enhance the Alta skiing experience.
Temporary trail closures and trail detours may be necessary throughout the offseason to complete work around the mountain. Please respect and obey any construction closures and temporary trail detours as our crews hustle to wrap up various projects before the snow soon returns to Alta’s mountain slopes.
Summer Trail Updates and Info >
Albion Day Lodge Expansion
Alta skiers will discover new spaces to relax, dine and enjoy the stunning scenery around the Albion base area this winter. Concluding a multi-year construction project, the Albion Day Lodge renovation and expansion will be completed for Opening Day of the 2026–27 season. Enormous windows and mountain views frame 3,400-square feet of additional dining space and expanded patio seating for the Albion Grill. Connected by a glass breezeway, the existing dining space is being fully remodeled to match the aesthetic of the new addition
July 2026: A rendering of the Albion Day Lodge expansion project
Cedar wood paneling will embellish the Albion Grill's indoor dining areas. The light wood finish will keep the interior bright while creating a complementary frame for dramatic views of Devil’s Castle and Albion Basin. Guests can meander around the new space and discover a collection of seldom-seen historical images that capture the evolution of Alta from its roughshod mining days into a world-renowned powder skiing hub.
June 10th: Albion Day Lodge construction | Photo: Rocko Menzyk
The east wing addition will also benefit Alta employees with 12 new employee housing units on the third level, a large conference room and several new administrative offices. The bottom level invites skiers to take a break with a cozy lounge area located at snow level. Benches will surround a toasty fireplace adjacent to cubbies available for day use. The rear of the new downstairs wing will house restrooms and several bays of lockers available for seasonal rental.
July 13th: A tour of the Albion Day Lodge construction | Photos: Rocko Menzyk
The former location of the Alta Java coffee shop will be converted into storage space for the Alta Ski Shop. Thirsty or hungry skiers will find Alta Java has relocated slightly to the east with a far larger service window and the ability to now serve customers both indoors and outdoors. Indoor café tables will welcome those who wish to enjoy their food or beverage out of the elements in the lounge space.
August 4th: Stonework on the new Albion Day Lodge | Photos: Rocko Menzyk
The building’s exterior is intended to complement the rugged landscape and natural elements of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Avalanche shutters constructed from pinewood locally sourced by our trail crews will adorn the windows. The trail crew also repurposed local timber to build a handful of small café tables for Alta Java coffee lovers to sip warm beverages while enjoying views of Mount Superior.
Look to the base of the building and find hand-hewn blocks of granite rock insulating the building’s foundation. Found onsite here at Alta, a father and son of family stonemasons have spent weeks hand-chiseling each granite stone for the perfect fit. This multi-generational family has shared their stonemason craft with Alta for decades and you’ll see their handiwork on many of our buildings from Alf’s to Watson Shelter and the Skier Services building at the Wildcat base area.
August 4th: Wood paneling in the Albion Day Lodge | Photos: Rocko Menzyk
On-Mountain Projects
Ballroom Traverse & High Traverse Projects
Hand-cutting and widening of the High Traverse and Ballroom Traverse will continue for the third summer to optimize access to some of Alta's best powder skiing terrain. The Ballroom Traverse will be slightly widened and subtly regraded to help reduce early Ballroom choke points and curtail wind erosion.
As we experienced during the 2025–26 season, these hand-cut traverses will hold more snow earlier in the season and during periods of increased skier traffic or when the snowpack is affected by extended periods of high pressure or wind erosion. Improvements to the High-T help provide a dependable and accessible traverse to the grassy slopes of Greeley Bowl during periods of low snow.
Snowmaking Lines in Collins Gulch
Our crews are working this summer to replace aging snowmaking lines between Watson Shelter and the Corkscrew ski run. These upgrades help our systems remain efficient in terms of energy and water use.
July 19th: Upgrading aging snowmaking lines in Collins Gulch | Photo: Adam Fehr
Regrading Big Dipper
Once the snow melts, our crews will begin terrain work near the newly-aligned Supreme lift. Regrading of the Big Dipper ski run will facilitate better early-season grooming and coverage.
Base Area Infrastructure Projects
Albion Dry Storage Facility
On the north side of the Albion Parking Lot, skiers will notice a new dry storage facility. This new storage facility will eventually replace Alta Ski Area's down-canyon storage warehouse, eliminating plenty of trips back and forth from the Salt Lake Valley.
Rocky Mountain Power
Rocky Mountain Power will be burying power/utility lines through the Town of Alta, along the Summer Road and within Albion Basin—brief, one-way road closures are anticipated.
Wildcat Parking Lot Expansion
Crews are adding a small number of new parking spaces along the north side of the Wildcat parking lot.
Grizzly Gulch Trailhead Restrooms
Big D Construction, our partner in the Albion Day Lodge expansion, has generously donated resources and labor for the construction of a heated, year-round public restroom near the Grizzly Gulch trailhead. This exciting development will be a huge boon for backcountry users and hikers while helping maintain watershed health and integrity.