Winter Education Programs

By Alta Environmental Center 11-15-2023

Gear up for a FULL SEASON of education events led on skis and snowshoes.

Embrace the winter chill with our key partner organizations by joining us for exciting, family-friendly education events. By immersing yourself in the crisp mountain air alongside fellow nature enthusiasts you will learn about this delicate ecosystem and how we can all contribute to being stewards of this land during these winter events.

Stay in the loop with event schedules and additional details by following our Alta Environmental Center on Instagram or Facebook Page and returning here for the latest updates.

Our key partners that make these educational events possible are:

Winter Education Events

*These events are all subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Trees and Skis with TreeUtah | December–aPRIL

Spend an hour learning about the gentle giants that live here. The trees at Alta help tell the story of Alta’s history and provide a picture of the current forest health. They are benchmarkers for current and past events in their environment and much like all of us, the trees weather the seasons—from cold, windy, winter nights to dry, hot, summer days. No registration is required.

1st and 3rd Thursday of each month | 11am-12:30pm
- December 7th, 2023
- December 21st, 2023
- January 4th, 2024
- January 18th, 2024 - Cancelled
- February 1st, 2024
- February 15th, 2024
- March 7th, 2024
- March 21st, 2024
- April 4th, 2024
- April 13th - Alta Earth Day
Location: Meet at the Top of Sunnyside lift by 11am. *Sunnyside is around a 5-minute lift ride.

Birding on Skis with Tracy Aviary | December–April

Embark on a unique winter adventure with Alta's Birding on Skis program. Glide through the breathtaking snowy landscapes while expert guides from Tracy Aviary lead you in discovering the diverse avian species that thrive in our winter wonderland. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature, learn about the fascinating behaviors of winter birds, and create lasting memories against Alta's beautiful snow-covered terrain. Registration required.

2nd and 4th Thursday of each month | 9am–12pm
- December 14, 2023
- December 28th, 2023
- January 11th, 2024
- January 25th, 2024
- February 8th, 2024
- February 22nd, 2024
- March 14th, 2024
- March 28th, 2024
- April 13th - Alta Earth Day
Location: Meet at the bottom of Collins lift by 8:50am with all your gear and ready to ski
All participants must be at least 12 years of age and able to ski intermediate, groomed runs.
All participants must have a lift ticket or season pass.
Please register by noon on Wednesday, the day before. *P.S. Registration fills up quickly!

SWR

Ski with a Ranger with CCF| January–April

Join a Volunteer Naturalist from Cottonwood Canyons Foundation for a captivating skiing adventure with Alta's Ski with a Ranger program. Ski down an easy run and explore the fascinating realms of the Cottonwood Canyons' geology, history, winter ecology, watershed, wildlife, and more. This educational and enjoyable experience for you and your family is a great way to learn more about this beautiful landscape. No registration is required.

Tours start January 12th and run every Friday | 1pm–2pm
Location: Meet at the top of Sunnyside lift by 1pm. *Sunnyside is around a 5-minute lift ride.
Volunteer Naturalists will also be available outside the Albion Day Lodge from 10:30am-12:30pm on Fridays! They will be sharing information about our watershed, mountain ecology, and the environment.

SWN

Snowshoe with a naturalist | January–March

Teaming up with Alta, the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation is offering guided snowshoe tours for $10 per person all proceeds go to support CCF. Immerse yourself in this beautiful mountainous landscape exploring the wildlife, flora, and fauna of Little Cottonwood Canyon. These naturalist-led tours offer insights into animal tracks, adaptive behaviors, tree varieties, and the rich history of both Little Cottonwood Canyon and Alta. It's an opportunity to experience nature's wonders firsthand on snowshoes! Registration Required.

1:30pm–3:30pm
Tours will start on January 19 | 3rd Friday of each month
- January 19
- February 16
- March 15
- April 13th - Alta Earth Day
Location: Please meet at 1:15pm outside the east end of the Albion Day Lodge near the ski racks.
What to Bring:
- Snowshoes - you can rent snowshoes at the Alta Ski Shop, conveniently located right next to where we meet for snowshoe tours.
- Snowboots (sneakers do not count as proper footwear)
- Snowpants
- Sunscreen
- Warm Jacket
- Gloves
- Poles (user preference)
- Layers of warm clothing

Journey Through Historical Snowscapes | February 23, 2024

Embark on a captivating journey through time with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office and Utah Cultural Site Stewardship Program. Join us on this inaugural snowshoe tour for an experience through a time capsule filled with tales that have sculpted Alta's recreational history. In this immersive exploration, we will step back in time, reliving history through vintage photographs and engaging artifacts and gain a profound understanding of our collective contribution to Alta's recreational history. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or simply love great company, this event ensures fun and inclusivity for all! Registration Required.

February 23, 2024 | 2pm–4pm
Location: Meet on the east end of the Albion grill, adjacent to Alta Java, by the ski racks.
What to Bring:
- Snowshoes - you can rent snowshoes at the Alta Ski Shop, conveniently located right next to where we meet for snowshoe tours.
- Poles if you'd like
- Warm Jacket
- Snowpants
- Warm layers
- Proper snow boots or shoes that will keep your foot warm and waterproof (sneakers are not recommended)
- Water
- Sunscreen
- Gloves
- Sunglasses or a Hat

Alta Earth Day | April 13, 2024

Join Alta for its 15th annual community Alta Earth Day! Connect with sustainability–focused and local companies from the Salt Lake area. Get on the snow with Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, Tracy Aviary, and TreeUtah and gain a fresh perspective of the ecological system at work here in Alta. Chat with local organizations focusing on sustainability and community at Alta Earth Day's basecamp at the bottom of Collins lift, from 9am–3pm.

9:15–3pm stop by the vendor village at the bottom of Collins lift
3:30–5:30pm live music on the GMD patio from Meander Cat
3:30pm opportunity drawing - win new skis, outdoor gear, climbing gym passes, and more!