Snowbird vs Alta

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

We're planning a trip to Snowbird/Alta for the first time in late March. We plan to ski for 3 days and are trying to decide how many days at each resort. We have the Mountain Collective pass so could do up to 2 days free at each. We're advanced skiers and like a good mix of groomers, bumps, and well-spaced trees. Good with steeps but nothing too crazy. My husband enjoys bowls and runs that feel really "open" (like the way lake louise and sunshine are setup for example - you can just kind of wander around and pick your own adventure).

Curious what you ladies would recommend? Both resorts look awesome and I'm having a hard time deciding!!

 

[Bookworm]

I personally like Alta better. The lack of boarders changes the quality of the snow for me. I also really like the runs. I'm a low-advanced on a good day. I've only skied Snowbird once and I found it more crowded (we were skiing both resorts at the same time). Now this could just be because I'm more familiar with Alta, but I'm not sure. I think there are more steeps and maybe more variety at Snowbird for expert skiers, but that could be just my perception. There's a lot of people here, namely @marzNC who are far more knowledgeable than I am. Alta is a big favorite of mine.

 

[teppaz]

We're planning a trip to Snowbird/Alta for the first time in late March. We plan to ski for 3 days and are trying to decide how many days at each resort. We have the Mountain Collective pass so could do up to 2 days free at each. We're advanced skiers and like a good mix of groomers, bumps, and well-spaced trees. Good with steeps but nothing too crazy. My husband enjoys bowls and runs that feel really "open" (like the way lake louise and sunshine are setup for example - you can just kind of wander around and pick your own adventure).

Curious what you ladies would recommend? Both resorts look awesome and I'm having a hard time deciding!!

Alta has some bowl types but they aren't huge, whereas the Mineral Basin area at Snowbird is fairly extensive.

Snow conditions will play a part because in my experience Alta holds on to snow quality better/longer than Snowbird. (My theory is it's because of the lack of snowboarders scraping the runs.)

 

[santacruz skier]

I'm a low-advanced on a good day.

No you're advanced !!!!

 

[marzNC]

We're planning a trip to Snowbird/Alta for the first time in late March. We plan to ski for 3 days and are trying to decide how many days at each resort. We have the Mountain Collective pass so could do up to 2 days free at each.

Are you staying in SLC? Skiing midweek? Reason I ask is because Alta and Snowbird have different approaches to parking.

We're advanced skiers and like a good mix of groomers, bumps, and well-spaced trees. Good with steeps but nothing too crazy. My husband enjoys bowls and runs that feel really "open" (like the way lake louise and sunshine are setup for example - you can just kind of wander around and pick your own adventure).

Can say that either Alta or Snowbird is strong for "well-space trees." They are known more for powder and open bowl skiing. The tree terrain is mostly steep and relatively tight. Alta has Cabin Hill, which is where the children learned to ski trees because the pitch is quite mellow. Both have good blue groomers. Snowbird has steeper blues and black groomers. Many have sections that go down and up, meaning need to keep up speed in order to make it up the next section. That's one reason cautious intermediate tend to much prefer Alta over Snowbird.

Whether or not there are bumps depends completely on the storm cycle just before you arrive. There is plenty of off-piste terrain but after skiing Taos for a number of years, it's clear that LCC is not where I go to ski bumps. However, depends on what someone thinks of as bump terrain. Chopped up powder doesn't feel like bumps to me.

Curious what you ladies would recommend? Both resorts look awesome and I'm having a hard time deciding!!

Assuming you are driving and Mineral Basin in going to be open all three days, I suggest you start with Alta on Day 1, then check out Snowbird on Day 2. Finish at which ever place suits you best. Or ski both that last day since the Mountain Collective includes 2 days at each resort. Skiing both could make sense if you enjoy Mineral Basin but aren't as interested in the front side of Snowbird.

From the top of the Sugarloaf lift at Alta, you can get a good view of Mineral Basin.

It's possible to take a free Mountain Host tour of Snowbird. I think it starts at 10:00am. Even spending only 30-60 minutes with the host could be useful to get a feel for how to get around the different sections.

For what it's worth, I much prefer Alta over Snowbird. When I'm skiing LCC for a week, I'm unlikely to ski Snowbird more than a day. During late season, if I'm using Ikon then I may ski a few runs in Mineral Basin in the morning because the snow softens there earlier than at Alta. I'll spend the rest of the day at Alta. I start on Supreme and finish on Collins. Lifts open at 9:15 at Alta. The main base lifts, Collins and Sunnside, close at 4:30pm.

 

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

I personally like Alta better. The lack of boarders changes the quality of the snow for me. I also really like the runs. I'm a low-advanced on a good day. I've only skied Snowbird once and I found it more crowded (we were skiing both resorts at the same time). Now this could just be because I'm more familiar with Alta, but I'm not sure. I think there are more steeps and maybe more variety at Snowbird for expert skiers, but that could be just my perception. There's a lot of people here, namely @marzNC who are far more knowledgeable than I am. Alta is a big favorite of mine.

Thank you! I did hear that it’s easier at snowbird to wander into sketchy terrain compared to Alta. Seems like there’s more really expert terrain scattered around…

 

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

Alta has some bowl types but they aren't huge, whereas the Mineral Basin area at Snowbird is fairly extensive.

Snow conditions will play a part because in my experience Alta holds on to snow quality better/longer than Snowbird. (My theory is it's because of the lack of snowboarders scraping the runs.)

Yes Mineral Basin looks awesome. We will definitely check that out. And good point on the snow conditions. It’s hard to tell from this far out so maybe we will leave the 3rd day up in the air and decide closer in…

 

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

Are you staying in SLC? Skiing midweek? Reason I ask is because Alta and Snowbird have different approaches to parking.



Can say that either Alta or Snowbird is strong for "well-space trees." They are known more for powder and open bowl skiing. The tree terrain is mostly steep and relatively tight. Alta has Cabin Hill, which is where the children learned to ski trees because the pitch is quite mellow. Both have good blue groomers. Snowbird has steeper blues and black groomers. Many have sections that go down and up, meaning need to keep up speed in order to make it up the next section. That's one reason cautious intermediate tend to much prefer Alta over Snowbird.

Whether or not there are bumps depends completely on the storm cycle just before you arrive. There is plenty of off-piste terrain but after skiing Taos for a number of years, it's clear that LCC is not where I go to ski bumps. However, depends on what someone thinks of as bump terrain. Chopped up powder doesn't feel like bumps to me.

Assuming you are driving and Mineral Basin in going to be open all three days, I suggest you start with Alta on Day 1, then check out Snowbird on Day 2. Finish at which ever place suits you best. Or ski both that last day since the Mountain Collective includes 2 days at each resort. Skiing both could make sense if you enjoy Mineral Basin but aren't as interested in the front side of Snowbird.

From the top of the Sugarloaf lift at Alta, you can get a good view of Mineral Basin.

It's possible to take a free Mountain Host tour of Snowbird. I think it starts at 10:00am. Even spending only 30-60 minutes with the host could be useful to get a feel for how to get around the different sections.

For what it's worth, I much prefer Alta over Snowbird. When I'm skiing LCC for a week, I'm unlikely to ski Snowbird more than a day. During late season, if I'm using Ikon then I may ski a few runs in Mineral Basin in the morning because the snow softens there earlier than at Alta. I'll spend the rest of the day at Alta. I start on Supreme and finish on Collins. Lifts open at 9:15 at Alta. The main base lifts, Collins and Sunnside, close at 4:30pm.

Thank you so much! This is a lot of great info to chew over. We are actually going to stay slopeside either at snowbird or Alta (prob snowbird because lodging at Alta is so limited and the dining options look less appealing). We will be arriving Thursday morning (plan to ski that afternoon), and leave Sat night. As of right now I’m thinking Alta day 1, Snowbird day 2, then play it by ear on day 3 depending on what we enjoyed more (and what the conditions look like.)

And good to know about the mountain tour at Snowbird! I looked into a private guided tour for Alta and it was like $600 for 3 hours…ouch. We’ve done the free tours at other resorts and found them pretty helpful, though they tend to be limited on what kind of advanced/expert terrain they’re allowed to take you down, I assume for liability reasons.

 

[marzNC]

We are actually going to stay slopeside either at snowbird or Alta (prob snowbird because lodging at Alta is so limited and the dining options look less appealing).

The private lodges in the town of Alta are not at all like most other lodges in N. America. Except for Snowpine, they include meals as part of the stay. Not just basic meals either. Full hot breakfast and fine dining dinners. There is only one restaurant at Snowbird that can match the level of dinners available at the Alta lodges.

Note that although Alta is a town with a mayor, it's not a "ski town" in the sense of Banff or Park City. There is a Town Hall, a Community Center, a Post Office, a police department, and a fire department, but no shops that aren't in a building of one of the private lodges.

Snowbird is a destination resort. There is a purpose-built "village" that has a central base and a second base. Most Food & Beverage is owned/operated by the resort on mountain and off.

I've stayed at Snowbird and only skied Alta. There is free bus service between the Wildcat base of Alta and Snowbird. Someone who is staying at Alta and has the Mountain Collective can start at Snowbird in the morning, spend the day there, and ski back to Alta via the Baldy chairlift out of Mineral Basin between 3:00-3:30. Of course, cannot ride up an Alta lift without using a MC day. The reverse is not true for people staying at Snowbird because after going through the Alta/Snowbird gate at the top of Sugarloaf (Alta side) then must ride up a Mineral Basin lift to get back to the frontside of Snowbird.

And good to know about the mountain tour at Snowbird! I looked into a private guided tour for Alta and it was like $600 for 3 hours…ouch.

The "private guide" at Alta isn't a Mountain Host tour. It's a guided lesson with one of the more experienced ski instructors. Typically that means skiing off-piste essentially the entire time. Same as having a private lesson, but the emphasis is on skiing with perhaps a technique tip or two if the guest asks for help. If not, the instructor will just go find the best snow after getting a sense of the ability level of the guest(s).

We will be arriving Thursday morning (plan to ski that afternoon), and leave Sat night. As of right now I’m thinking Alta day 1, Snowbird day 2, then play it by ear on day 3 depending on what we enjoyed more (and what the conditions look like.)

Sounds like a reasonable plan.

Given that the last day is a Saturday, keep in mind that you could ski both Alta and Snowbird. Depending on snow and road conditions, there could be locals on both mountains. Getting a head start to ski Mineral Basin by getting in line to load the tram early might be worthwhile. Or just take the Peruvian chair and go through the tunnel. When the lines get long for the Mineral Basin chair, then head to Alta for a while. Just remember that to ski back, need to be loading Sugarloaf by 3:00 to allow time to ski down to the MB chair before it closes.

Or plan to take a bus from the Wildcat base back to Snowbird. Note that buses after 4:00 can get full.

How do you plan to get up to LCC? Shuttle or driving?

 

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

The private lodges in the town of Alta are not at all like most other lodges in N. America. Except for Snowpine, they include meals as part of the stay. Not just basic meals either. Full hot breakfast and fine dining dinners. There is only one restaurant at Snowbird that can match the level of dinners available at the Alta lodges.

Note that although Alta is a town with a mayor, it's not a "ski town" in the sense of Banff or Park City. There is a Town Hall, a Community Center, a Post Office, a police department, and a fire department, but no shops that aren't in a building of one of the private lodges.

Snowbird is a destination resort. There is a purpose-built "village" that has a central base and a second base. Most Food & Beverage is owned/operated by the resort on mountain and off.

I've stayed at Snowbird and only skied Alta. There is free bus service between the Wildcat base of Alta and Snowbird. Someone who is staying at Alta and has the Mountain Collective can start at Snowbird in the morning, spend the day there, and ski back to Alta via the Baldy chairlift out of Mineral Basin between 3:00-3:30. Of course, cannot ride up an Alta lift without using a MC day. The reverse is not true for people staying at Snowbird because after going through the Alta/Snowbird gate at the top of Sugarloaf (Alta side) then must ride up a Mineral Basin lift to get back to the frontside of Snowbird.


The "private guide" at Alta isn't a Mountain Host tour. It's a guided lesson with one of the more experienced ski instructors. Typically that means skiing off-piste essentially the entire time. Same as having a private lesson, but the emphasis is on skiing with perhaps a technique tip or two if the guest asks for help. If not, the instructor will just go find the best snow after getting a sense of the ability level of the guest(s).


Sounds like a reasonable plan.

Given that the last day is a Saturday, keep in mind that you could ski both Alta and Snowbird. Depending on snow and road conditions, there could be locals on both mountains. Getting a head start to ski Mineral Basin by getting in line to load the tram early might be worthwhile. Or just take the Peruvian chair and go through the tunnel. When the lines get long for the Mineral Basin chair, then head to Alta for a while. Just remember that to ski back, need to be loading Sugarloaf by 3:00 to allow time to ski down to the MB chair before it closes.

Or plan to take a bus from the Wildcat base back to Snowbird. Note that buses after 4:00 can get full.

How do you plan to get up to LCC? Shuttle or driving?

Got it, thank you! The Alta lodges being more European in style makes sense.
I'm thinking we'll arrange a private shuttle from the airport to make it easy. We won't leave the base while there since it's such a short trip. There was a company we used for a Deer Valley trip a few years ago that were great, so likely will do that again.

 

[marzNC]

Got it, thank you! The Alta lodges being more European in style makes sense.
I'm thinking we'll arrange a private shuttle from the airport to make it easy. We won't leave the base while there since it's such a short trip. There was a company we used for a Deer Valley trip a few years ago that were great, so likely will do that again.

Shuttle from the airport is the way to go when staying in LCC. Note that if you decide to stay at Snowbird in a unit with a kitchen or kitchenette, it can be worthwhile to stop at a supermarket on the way. There is a small "general store" at Snowbird that is essentially a convenience shop.

When I stay at Alta Lodge during late season, I use Alta Shuttle from the airport. They are really good at dealing with any potential road closure. Note that a midday road closure can happen during warm spells during late season. That's not an issue for shuttles to/from Park City.

Have you flown to the new SLC airport before?

 

[marzNC]

Might pick up some ideas from the threads for Diva West 2025 when most of the skiing was at Alta, but some people also skied Snowbird. Note that these threads are in a Divas Only section.

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/index.php?forums/diva-west-2025-snowbird-alta.148/

https://www.theskidiva.com/forums/index.php?threads/diva-west-2025-is-in-utah-at-snowbird-alta.28468/

 

[Bookworm]

I've used Alta Shuttle every time I've skied there and I recommend

 

[ExpertOnBlueRuns]

I've used Alta Shuttle every time I've skied there and I recommend

Thank you for the rec! Do you usually do the private or shared shuttle?

 

[McJoy]

I love Alta. It’s one of my very favorite mountains. I found snowbird to be rather disorienting, and I can’t really explain why but I found it difficult to navigate. I would also agree with others about Alta feeling less crowded. I remember sugarbowl off the sugarloaf lift being a very fun, quite gentle black diamond bowl.

 

[marzNC]

Thank you for the rec! Do you usually do the private or shared shuttle?

I've always done the shared Alta Shuttle. Making a reservation in advance means a very short wait after collecting all the luggage. I've never been in a packed van on the way up to Alta in the last decade. Usually only one other party.

 

[marzNC]

I found snowbird to be rather disorienting, and I can’t really explain why but I found it difficult to navigate.

Not too surprising. The frontside of Snowbird is very separate drainages. That means if you miss a turn on a cat track that goes from one section to another, it can be hard to recover. Especially if trying to stay off black terrain.

Even deciding how to get down from the top of the Tram isn't all that obvious when looking for the easiest routes. It's a good thing that there is always a Mountain Host around in front of the Summit lodge.

The free Mountain Host tour can be good for getting a sense of how to get around.

 

[teppaz]

I've always done the shared Alta Shuttle. Making a reservation in advance means a very short wait after collecting all the luggage. I've never been in a packed van on the way up to Alta in the last decade. Usually only one other party.

Second the shared Alta Shuttle. They're really good at monitoring your incoming flight and also evaluating travel time for the return to the airport.

 

[marzNC]

Regardless of which shuttle company someone is using, need to walk a bit inside the terminal to get to the desks for that sort of Ground Transportation. Baggage Claim is on Level 2. Resort Shuttles are on Level 1.

While the new SLC airport has good features, it's so much bigger than the old one there is a lot more walking required to get anywhere from a boarding gate.

Looking back towards where I started at the baggage claim used by Southwest Airlines
Sign over elevators has Ground Transportation on the far left and International Arrivals on the far right


When I saw this sign after walking for a bit (on my right) on Level 1 then it was clear I was headed to Resort Shuttles

 

[MaryVA]

I personally like Alta better. The lack of boarders changes the quality of the snow for me. I also really like the runs. I'm a low-advanced on a good day. I've only skied Snowbird once and I found it more crowded (we were skiing both resorts at the same time). Now this could just be because I'm more familiar with Alta, but I'm not sure. I think there are more steeps and maybe more variety at Snowbird for expert skiers, but that could be just my perception. There's a lot of people here, namely @marzNC who are far more knowledgeable than I am. Alta is a big favorite of mine.

I'm not sure that Snowbird necessarily has more steep and expert terrain than Alta, but it may be more easily accessible directly from the lift than it is at Alta, where the most difficult runs are generally only accessible via the High Traverse or a bootpack. While I find both mountains to be a lot of fun, I second the others on here in preferring Alta (it's my favorite mountain to ski at, hands down). Both mountains are wonderful, but Alta feels more like an "old-school" skier's mountain and is less crowded, while Snowbird has a bit more of the fancy-but-impersonal resort feel.

For what it's worth, my family four did a day last year where we skied both mountains and had a lot of fun. We were staying at Alta Lodge, so skied a few runs at Alta in the morning, entered Snowbird through the gate off the top of Sugarloaf, had lunch at Snowbird and skied some runs in Mineral Basin, and then headed back to Alta and finished the day with a few runs off Collins and Wildcat). So you don't necessarily have to stick to a single mountain each day if you have the double pass.

As for terrain at Alta, the runs off of the Sugarloaf lift have a nice open feel to them, and your husband will likely enjoy the Ballroom bowl, as well as some of the more wide-open areas off the High Traverse. While not exactly wide open and mellow, there are some routes through the trees in Catherine's Area that are more than doable for advanced skiers, especially when the snow is good. Though I might recommend going with somebody familiar with the terrain the first time you venture over there, as it is largely unmarked. The Wildcat lift has some small bowls and trees as well that you don't need to hike to.

I also second MarzNC in saying that the lodges at Alta are really great if you're able to get a reservation (they book up fast!) and feel much more like a bed and breakfasts than your typical ski resort hotel. I go on ski trips to ski, and I find that staying at the on-mountain lodges where breakfast and dinner is taken care of makes it easy to simply focus on the skiing. No need to worry about where you're going to find a table or what you're going to cook. If you're skiing with kids, Alta Lodge also offers a free kids club from 4:30 until 8:30 that my kids love, and which lets you have some adult meals if you want.