With its world-famous powder and comparatively low lift rates, Alta provides a reminder of what skiing in the United States used to be like. Its eight lifts service a mountain that compares favourably with any other ski resort on earth, and its lodges are small, quaint, and few in number.

When on holiday weekends, when a skier may have to wait in line for 40 minutes before boarding an Alta lift, the wait seems worth the effort. Alta has a well-deserved reputation for having some of ht best powder in the world; its moguls, tree skiing, and deep powder challenge even the most expert of skiers.

Lodging at the resort ranges from elegant to rustic. Alternatively, the Utah Transit Authority bus service, which brings skiers from downtown Salt Lake City to Alta for a small round-trip fare, makes staying in town and then skiing at Alta a relatively easy proposition.