From Deseret News archives:

Alta Ski Area: Resort offers superb powder skiing

Published: Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 12:16 a.m. MST
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1. Gunsight is an advanced run accessible off the Collins Lift; 2. Eagles Nest is an advanced run also accessible off the top of Collins and has a variety of terrain and offers gladed skiing; 3. Devils Castle is an advanced run accessible off the Sugarloaf Lift and is a glacier-carved bowl beneath steep cliffs; 4. Catherines is an advanced run accessible off the Supreme Lift and features varying terrain, gladed skiing and an open bowl; 5. Westward Ho is an advanced run accessible off the Wildcat Lift and offers a mix of moguls, powder, trees and terrain changes; 6. Ball Room is an intermediate run accessible off the Collins Lift and is a large, open bowl at the base of Mt. Baldy; 7. So Long is an intermediate run reached off the Supreme Lift and is noted for its rolling terrain; 8. Rock N Roll is an intermediate run accessible off the Supreme Lift and is a run that is popular because it offers intermediate skiers a chance to ski moderate powder terrain; 9. Devils Elbow is an intermediate run accessed off the Sugarloaf Lift and offers varying terrain and pitches; 10. Crooked Mile is a beginners run accessible off the Sunnyside Lift and is a milelong run that is wide open and meanders down Albion Basin.

History

Alta's history goes back much further than when it started its first lift in 1937. Before there were skiers, there were miners. It was back in 1864 that silver was discovered in the canyon by soldiers from Fort Douglas. By 1872, there were several thousand miners living in the town of Alta, serviced by several hotels, restaurants, billiard halls, a Chinese laundry, 26 saloons and a number of brothels. It was in 1935 that legendary skier/ski jumper Alf Engen stepped into what was then a dusty bowl and proclaimed that this would become one of the greatest ski areas in the world. Two years later, Alta opened with what was then the second operational chairlift in the world. The first lift was discovered and developed in Sun Valley. Alta would go on to become recognized as having some of the best powder skiing in the world.

Recent comments

Nice Turns, Tatiana! Nice behind too ;)

Anonymous | July 11, 2009 at 3:12 p.m.

For more details about Alta's runs, you should check out The Powder...

Alta Guide Book | Jan. 24, 2008 at 4:15 p.m.

I remember skiing at Alta during the years of the second world war,...

AZ Hacker | Jan. 24, 2008 at 10:01 a.m.

Image

Tatiana Lawson of Alta Ski Patrol skis down Gunsight at Alta last Friday.

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