Ski. Après. Eat. Sleep. Repeat.
While you won’t find nightclubs or a bumping all-night party scene, Alta does deliver in the dining and drinking department. From a quick breakfast to start the day to fine dining on the mountain, Alta has lots of options for skiers looking for good food and drink to make their experience even more pleasurable. Here’s a quick look at some of the food experiences to keep in mind when spending the day at Alta.
Watson Café at Watson Shelter
Before calling it a day, satisfy your hunger on slopes at Watson Café. Take in views of Mount Superior and Mount Baldy paired with a Utah microbrew while dining on the outdoor deck, or inside the bright, window-filled space. The new burrito and burrito-bowl bar is the perfect mid-day lunch for the hard-charging skiers of Collins Gulch.
Pro tip: the Shelter is only open until 3:30pm so this is just an après option for early birds—for the rest, make it a stop for lunch.
Upscale Collins Grill at Watson Shelter
Located on the mountain near the Collins Lift on the third floor of the Watson Shelter, the Collins Grill features a full-service, European-style menu, complete with wine and spirits. If you’re looking for a sit-down lunch on the mountain, this is one of your best options.
Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., you can enjoy a wide variety of chef-created options that are far from the traditional ski fare. You’ll find lots of locally sourced meat and organic items on the menu, a sampling of which include free-range beef, elk, and all-natural lamb. The chefs have frequent specials and the menu changes to reflect what’s in season, but a sample menu includes small plate items like grilled asparagus wrapped in capicola, butternut squash latkes, and spicy lamb skewers. For entrees, you might try the daily savory tarte, or the grilled Utah trout.
Pro tip: Reservations are recommended between noon and 2 p.m., especially on weekends and holidays, and a private dining room—which accommodates up to 40—is available to book for meetings and other gatherings.
Breakfast at the Albion Grill
Want to start the day on the right note? Sit down for breakfast at the Albion Grill, located in the Albion Day Lodge near the Sunnyside lift. This cafeteria-style restaurant is known for its sunny outdoor deck and all-day dining options. You couldn’t get a more convenient option to fuel up and get on the mountain.
Pro tip: You’ll find breakfast staples like eggs cooked to order, breakfast burritos, pancakes and bacon—plus fresh homemade pastries and muffins.
Scenic Deck Lunches at Alf’s
When you want a good meal—but don’t want to miss out on too much skiing time—Alf’s is the choice for a lunch break. Located on the mountain near the Supreme and Sugarloaf Lifts, Alf’s features both indoor and outdoor seating with scenic views of Albion Basin and Devil’s Castle. The menu offers well-made grilled fare like hamburgers, chicken, and bratwurst. Skiers can also choose from hearty soups and chilis.
Relax with one of the Uinta craft beers that are on tap, or get a shot of caffeine with gourmet coffee from the Salt Lake Roasting Company. No matter what you decide to eat, you’ll enjoy one of the more impressive views of the mountain—and you’ll be back out on your skis in no time.
Pro tip: In the building, you’ll find antique skis and other memorabilia on display from the Alf Engen Ski Museum, along with photos chronicling the history of skiing in the region.
Written by Jenny Willden for RootsRated Media in partnership with Alta.