After being highlighted during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah’s incredible opportunities for winter sports, including skiing, gained international attention. Skiing is a popular, local activity and considerable component of Utah tourism. With Ski Utah’s acclaimed slogan, “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” area ski resorts aim to attract local, domestic, and international tourists. Of the numerous ski resort options available in Utah, I consider Alta Ski Area to be a Utah treasure due to its unique and superior qualities.
Alta Ski Area provides world-class skiing to its visitors due to its distinguishing attributes. It is one of only three remaining ski resorts in the United States that exclusively serves skiers. This creates a truly unique experience, and has earned Alta the title as a “purist’s mountain” (Ski Utah). Skiers are not faced with the common frustrations associated with snowboarders, such as snowboarders obstructing runs by sitting in the center of slopes. Although snowboarders may be unfairly, negatively stereotyped, I personally enjoy the atmosphere of this skier-only resort. I highly recommend Alta to avid skiers visiting Utah for the rare opportunity to ski solely among other skiers.
In addition, Alta is recognized as receiving the highest average annual snowfall of any resort in the state, averaging five hundred and sixty inches. With its location at the top of scenic Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta Ski Area is acknowledged for powder skiing that justifies Utah’s endorsement of “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” The acclaimed, quality snowfall blanketing the resort contributes to Alta’s pristine skiing conditions and natural beauty. This accompanied by Alta’s varied terrain, serves to provide an extraordinary skiing experience for visitors of all abilities, from beginner to advanced. In fact, “Ski Magazine’s Reader Resort Survey ranked Alta #1 for Overall Satisfaction” (Ski Utah).
Environmentally conscious tourists will also be pleased with Alta’s commitment to sustainability efforts. The resort is actively seeking and practicing sustainability principles to reduce their carbon footprint. As a business, they emphasize educating their guests, raising awareness among policy makers, advocating for the environment, supporting sustainability related research, and cooperating with organizations that can assist in reducing emissions. Alta satisfies the guidelines for sustainability as outlined by the National Ski Areas Association. By participating in this program, Alta Ski Area further distinguishes itself as a superior ski resort.
Alta Ski Area is extremely accessible to tourists around the globe. With the Salt Lake City International Airport only forty-five minutes away, out-of-state and international visitors can take advantage of this convenience. The resort’s proximity to Salt Lake City makes this destination ideal for visitors wishing to incorporate a day or more of skiing into their stay in the Salt Lake Valley. Additionally, the Utah Transit Authority offers bus transportation from Salt Lake City to the resort, making this destination accessible for all visitors, with or without vehicles. Necessary ski equipment can be rented directly at Alta, creating an all-around convenient skiing destination for tourists.
Alta is open for skiing November through April from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The resort has over one hundred and sixteen runs on twenty-two hundred skiable acres. Adult day passes cost seventy-two dollars; however, multi-day tickets and group tickets are also available. I especially recommend that skiers take advantage of Alta’s “Ski Free after 3 p.m.” program, which offers free skiing for an hour. This provides free access on the Sunnyside Lift, which is mostly comprised of beginner terrain with a few intermediate portions. However, this offer is ideal for beginner skiers, or those wishing to have a taste of Alta’s phenomenal skiing at no cost.
With such unique and outstanding qualities, Alta Ski Area is a tourist destination worthy of being world-renowned. Tourists all over the world should take the opportunity to experience the rare atmosphere of a skier-only resort. The pristine snow, diverse terrain, and dedication to environmental sustainability all contribute to Alta’s high level of guest satisfaction. Alta is also accessible to international visitors, which makes this resort an ideal tourist destination. Considering its unique and superior quality, Alta Ski Area is truly a Utah treasure.
References and Works Cited:
Ski Utah. (2012). Alta Ski Area. Retrieved from http://www.skiutah.com/winter/members/alta_ski_area/resort
Alta Ski Area provides world-class skiing to its visitors due to its distinguishing attributes. It is one of only three remaining ski resorts in the United States that exclusively serves skiers. This creates a truly unique experience, and has earned Alta the title as a “purist’s mountain” (Ski Utah). Skiers are not faced with the common frustrations associated with snowboarders, such as snowboarders obstructing runs by sitting in the center of slopes. Although snowboarders may be unfairly, negatively stereotyped, I personally enjoy the atmosphere of this skier-only resort. I highly recommend Alta to avid skiers visiting Utah for the rare opportunity to ski solely among other skiers.
In addition, Alta is recognized as receiving the highest average annual snowfall of any resort in the state, averaging five hundred and sixty inches. With its location at the top of scenic Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta Ski Area is acknowledged for powder skiing that justifies Utah’s endorsement of “The Greatest Snow on Earth.” The acclaimed, quality snowfall blanketing the resort contributes to Alta’s pristine skiing conditions and natural beauty. This accompanied by Alta’s varied terrain, serves to provide an extraordinary skiing experience for visitors of all abilities, from beginner to advanced. In fact, “Ski Magazine’s Reader Resort Survey ranked Alta #1 for Overall Satisfaction” (Ski Utah).
Environmentally conscious tourists will also be pleased with Alta’s commitment to sustainability efforts. The resort is actively seeking and practicing sustainability principles to reduce their carbon footprint. As a business, they emphasize educating their guests, raising awareness among policy makers, advocating for the environment, supporting sustainability related research, and cooperating with organizations that can assist in reducing emissions. Alta satisfies the guidelines for sustainability as outlined by the National Ski Areas Association. By participating in this program, Alta Ski Area further distinguishes itself as a superior ski resort.
Alta Ski Area is extremely accessible to tourists around the globe. With the Salt Lake City International Airport only forty-five minutes away, out-of-state and international visitors can take advantage of this convenience. The resort’s proximity to Salt Lake City makes this destination ideal for visitors wishing to incorporate a day or more of skiing into their stay in the Salt Lake Valley. Additionally, the Utah Transit Authority offers bus transportation from Salt Lake City to the resort, making this destination accessible for all visitors, with or without vehicles. Necessary ski equipment can be rented directly at Alta, creating an all-around convenient skiing destination for tourists.
Alta is open for skiing November through April from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The resort has over one hundred and sixteen runs on twenty-two hundred skiable acres. Adult day passes cost seventy-two dollars; however, multi-day tickets and group tickets are also available. I especially recommend that skiers take advantage of Alta’s “Ski Free after 3 p.m.” program, which offers free skiing for an hour. This provides free access on the Sunnyside Lift, which is mostly comprised of beginner terrain with a few intermediate portions. However, this offer is ideal for beginner skiers, or those wishing to have a taste of Alta’s phenomenal skiing at no cost.
With such unique and outstanding qualities, Alta Ski Area is a tourist destination worthy of being world-renowned. Tourists all over the world should take the opportunity to experience the rare atmosphere of a skier-only resort. The pristine snow, diverse terrain, and dedication to environmental sustainability all contribute to Alta’s high level of guest satisfaction. Alta is also accessible to international visitors, which makes this resort an ideal tourist destination. Considering its unique and superior quality, Alta Ski Area is truly a Utah treasure.
References and Works Cited:
Ski Utah. (2012). Alta Ski Area. Retrieved from http://www.skiutah.com/winter/members/alta_ski_area/resort
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