For Alta, I can assure you that the people who have skis on the snow 30-60 minutes before the Collins lift opens got up plenty early. Sometimes as early as 4am if the road is going to close from 6:00-8:30am. For this season, need to be up the canyon by 8:30, if not an hour earlier for a powder day. The drive takes at least 30 minutes, if not an hour depending on where someone is staying in the city. If the road is snowy, then can easily take twice as long.I have never seen this in many years of skiing. You can be sure that I would be standing in front of the peopleless skis. If you want first tracks you need to put in the work--get up early, and stand in line.
It really is an aspect of local culture for Alta and perhaps a few other mountains with long histories, as mentioned elsewhere in the thread.I still feel if you want to be in line you should be in line. What is next--monetizing the lift line so you can pay for your spot?
Honestly that already exists in a sense here. Alta and other Utah resorts offer early access private lessons. If patrol allows it with snow conditions you can pay for a lesson and get on the lifts 45 min before the resort opens and skip the lineup. Usually to a lot of jeering from the crowd waiting for opening.... ;)I still feel if you want to be in line you should be in line. What is next--monetizing the lift line so you can pay for your spot?
Honestly that already exists in a sense here. Alta and other Utah resorts offer early access private lessons. If patrol allows it with snow conditions you can pay for a lesson and get on the lifts 45 min before the resort opens and skip the lineup. Usually to a lot of jeering from the crowd waiting for opening.... ;)
Did an early access lesson with @snoWYmonkey at Jackson Hole a while back. Got to ride up the Bridgewater gondola and had a first teaching run on a wide groomer with no worries about other skiers buzzing down as we did drills. Was a low snow situation so obviously no one at the base really cared.Alta and other Utah resorts offer early access private lessons.
You can pay for 'first tracks' at some mountains - which means if there's been a dump, then yes, you have pretty much paid to be one of the first in line.I still feel if you want to be in line you should be in line. What is next--monetizing the lift line so you can pay for your spot?