alta vs snowbird need advice
Jan 11th, 2008 | 05:20 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 40
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alta vs snowbird need advice
Where should I stay? I am traveling with my wife and kids age 6 and 9 who have never skiied before. We are going in early april for 4 nights. We will not be doing any cooking. Which has better kids programs? Thanks
Jan 11th, 2008 | 06:00 AM
#2
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,912
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If I were you I would choose Snowbird for the services and lodging. It's been a long time since we skiied Alta but I remember lodging, etc. being very limited there. Along with a group of friends, we rented a cabin within walking distance to Alta--fortunately, the cabin came with a cook. Snowbird offers hotel type rooms and has several restaurants, a rental shop, etc. to choose from. Alta has a rental shop but it's up a small slope--not easily accessible. There is lodging there but not sure it's what you're looking for.
I don't know which of the two has better ski programs--I actually learned to ski at Alta as an adult. At the time, and this may still be the case, snowboarders were not allowed. They don't bother me now but at the time of learning they were one less obstacle to deal with, lol.
There are a lot of Utah ski experts on this board--I'm sure you'll receive a lot of helpful and more up to date info from them!
I don't know which of the two has better ski programs--I actually learned to ski at Alta as an adult. At the time, and this may still be the case, snowboarders were not allowed. They don't bother me now but at the time of learning they were one less obstacle to deal with, lol.
There are a lot of Utah ski experts on this board--I'm sure you'll receive a lot of helpful and more up to date info from them!
Jan 11th, 2008 | 07:07 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 0
The two have very different lodging options. But you can stay at one and ski at the other---they are right next to each other.
Alta has hotels that are uniquely . . . Alta. Some of us love them, many people don't. Soem of the skiers return to the same place, the same, week, year after year and get to know other guests there. The hotels are older and a bit rustic, and reflect the town's mining heritage---Alta Rustler, Alta Peruvian, Goldminer's Daughter, Alta Lodge, and one more. They all offer all-inclusive prices---meals are included (maybe not lunch). So it may be very expensive, depending on what they charge for children. The Alta Rustler is the fanciest; we prefer the lower-key Goldminer's Daughter. You would want on ththat is child-friendly.
There is a broad flat area at the base of these hotels, and a rope tow to get you from one place to the other. If you choose Alta, you might want to be careful of the location, and choose a place closer to the daylodge and ski school (at the east end).
http://www.rustlerlodge.com/
http://www.altaperuvian.com/
http://www.skigmd.com/
http://www.altalodge.com/
Snowbird has 4 condo/hotel buildings, all owned/managed by Snowbird. Some of them have hotel rooms and some have all condos. Each one has a pool. Three of them have fancy restaurants, but there are more restaurants (including casual ones) in Snowbird Center, along with shops and a grocery store. Even if you don't want to cook, you might get supplies for breakfast to keep in your room.
http://www.snowbird.com/
You should go on the websites and look at the prices and room types offered, and also look for packages. They may offer something with lifts, lodging, and lessons. That will probably be easier to find at Snowbird than Alta.
Alta has hotels that are uniquely . . . Alta. Some of us love them, many people don't. Soem of the skiers return to the same place, the same, week, year after year and get to know other guests there. The hotels are older and a bit rustic, and reflect the town's mining heritage---Alta Rustler, Alta Peruvian, Goldminer's Daughter, Alta Lodge, and one more. They all offer all-inclusive prices---meals are included (maybe not lunch). So it may be very expensive, depending on what they charge for children. The Alta Rustler is the fanciest; we prefer the lower-key Goldminer's Daughter. You would want on ththat is child-friendly.
There is a broad flat area at the base of these hotels, and a rope tow to get you from one place to the other. If you choose Alta, you might want to be careful of the location, and choose a place closer to the daylodge and ski school (at the east end).
http://www.rustlerlodge.com/
http://www.altaperuvian.com/
http://www.skigmd.com/
http://www.altalodge.com/
Snowbird has 4 condo/hotel buildings, all owned/managed by Snowbird. Some of them have hotel rooms and some have all condos. Each one has a pool. Three of them have fancy restaurants, but there are more restaurants (including casual ones) in Snowbird Center, along with shops and a grocery store. Even if you don't want to cook, you might get supplies for breakfast to keep in your room.
http://www.snowbird.com/
You should go on the websites and look at the prices and room types offered, and also look for packages. They may offer something with lifts, lodging, and lessons. That will probably be easier to find at Snowbird than Alta.
Jan 11th, 2008 | 08:14 AM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Hi Freester,
Staying at Snowbird will probably be more convenient for a family. You can easily walk between all the buildings. Alta doesn't really have a central base area, it's more spread out. It's one of the oldest ski areas in the US.
The one building at Snowbird that has hotel style rooms is the Cliff Lodge. It is ski in/ski out to the Chickadee run (first time beginner's run). 2 pools, one on the ground, one on the roof! The roof pool is the place to be for alpenglow at sunset.
Other Snowbird buildings are all condos of various configurations. Some rooms are available as hotel rooms only (a lock off from the part of the condo with the kitchen). With a family, you will probably want a condo with kitchen, even if you don't want to cook, sometimes it's nice to eat in.
Lots of reastaurants to choose from at Snowbird, some at Alta.
Both have very good ski schools and beginner runs. I would give the ski school kids program at Snowbird the edge.
Bring your sunscreen and your goggles. You can have any kind of weather in April. Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts have had about 300% of normal snowfall in the last month and they're up to about 100 inch base! Skiing should be great in April.
Powder to the people
Staying at Snowbird will probably be more convenient for a family. You can easily walk between all the buildings. Alta doesn't really have a central base area, it's more spread out. It's one of the oldest ski areas in the US.
The one building at Snowbird that has hotel style rooms is the Cliff Lodge. It is ski in/ski out to the Chickadee run (first time beginner's run). 2 pools, one on the ground, one on the roof! The roof pool is the place to be for alpenglow at sunset.
Other Snowbird buildings are all condos of various configurations. Some rooms are available as hotel rooms only (a lock off from the part of the condo with the kitchen). With a family, you will probably want a condo with kitchen, even if you don't want to cook, sometimes it's nice to eat in.
Lots of reastaurants to choose from at Snowbird, some at Alta.
Both have very good ski schools and beginner runs. I would give the ski school kids program at Snowbird the edge.
Bring your sunscreen and your goggles. You can have any kind of weather in April. Little Cottonwood Canyon resorts have had about 300% of normal snowfall in the last month and they're up to about 100 inch base! Skiing should be great in April.
Powder to the people
Jan 11th, 2008 | 11:21 AM
#7
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Just an note on April skiing. Last year in UT was the second smallest snowfall in over 30 years. I distinctly remember the driest year, 1977. It (1977) was only the 3rd time in Alta's history that they had not been open for Christmas.
Great April skiing is pretty much guaranteed during a normal year in the Cottownood Canyons. We're having a normal year so far.
Alta usually starts to shut down at the end of April, but Snowbird will stay open on weekends as long as there is snow. Summer skiing at Snowbird starts at 7:30 am and goes until 1pm.
Great April skiing is pretty much guaranteed during a normal year in the Cottownood Canyons. We're having a normal year so far.
Alta usually starts to shut down at the end of April, but Snowbird will stay open on weekends as long as there is snow. Summer skiing at Snowbird starts at 7:30 am and goes until 1pm.
