So why don’t a dog’s paws seem to get cold in the snow? They’ve got built in paw warmers. A dogs paws don’t freeze in the snow thanks to special veins in their paw pads that circulate warm blood more effectively. Now you know.

Check out some photos and this short video of a simulated rescue.

VIDEO – Simulated avalanche burial rescue in the Alta backcountry

No matter which season you decide to visit Alta, there are always plenty of great activities for both tourists and visitors alike! Come enjoy our vibrant local culture and see why so many people choose Alta as their favourite vacation destination. On Saturday September 8, the Alta Peruvian Lodge is hosting the exciting downhill dash at 4pm. Read below for more information on why you should attend this event!

Our Utah vacation accommodation suggests the 8-K Downhill Dash and Barbecue Bash

This event starts at the Alta Peruvian Lodge at 4pm and is a benefit for the Utah Museum of Natural History. Racers will compete to sprint as fast as they can down the nearby Alta hills. Prizes include up to $200.00 in cash, a dynamite T-shirt, a fantastic BBQ and after race relaxation in our hot tub. The top finishers in each age division over 18 will receive from the Fabulous Alta Peruvian Lodge the following: First Place – overnight lodging and $200, Second Place – Dinner certificate and $100, Third Place – breakfast certificate and $50. The top three winners in each age division 18 and under will receive dinner and breakfast certificates. Additionally, there will be random prizes for each runner.

Fees are as follows – $28 (postmarked before August 4, 2012), $30.00 – (postmarked before September 1, 2012); $35.00 – Thereafter. Fees for non-runners partaking in the BBQ are $12.00 each. Please send all registrations by September 6, 5pm. You may register with a credit card online on the Alta Peruvian Website. You may also register for the race by mail by simply filling out the information below, include your entry fee, and mail it to ALTA PERUVIAN LODGE 8K RACE,  P.O. Box 8017, Alta, UT 84092.  Please make checks payable to “Alta Peruvian Lodge Downhill Dash”. Contact Todd at the Alta Peruvian Lodge on 801-328-8589 (Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m) or by email at dash@altaperuvian.com for more information.

Looking for Utah vacation accommodation? Stay in beautiful Alta with the Alta Peruvian Lodge

The Alta Peruvian Lodge has hundreds of satisfied customers, many of whom are repeat visitors. We are actively involved in our community and our staff can recommend many other exciting events like the 8-K Downhill Dash and Barbecue Bash. Choose us as your Utah vacation accommodation and you won’t regret it. Visit our website for more information on our beautiful lodge and room rates.

Alta Events in April

April 6^th- The Alta Gala is an annual event put on by Alta Community Enrichment, Friends of Alta and Alta Historical Society to raise money for these non-profit organizations as well as awareness of the arts, environment and history of Alta. The event goes from 6:30 to 11:00pm and costs $115 per person prior to March 23^rd. After that it is $125 per person.

April 8^th – Anyone coming to Alta for some spring skiing needs to take advantage of some of the great Alta events we having during the spring season. One of the best is the Annual Easter Egg hunt that Alta Community Enrichment puts on at the beginning of April. The event takes place at the Alta Java Area of the Albion Grill and starts at 11:00am. The event is open to kids under 12, but eggs go quickly, so make sure to get there on time!

April 6^th – April 18^th –This year, Alta will celebrate spring with “Alta in April” a week of Alta events for the whole family. These events include the Alta Gala and the Easter Egg hunt (mentioned above) and the many events listed below, and is sure to be a week full of fun for everyone doing some spring skiing in Alta this year. The April in Alta events include:

• Saturday, April 7:  Powder House Ski Shop’s Spring Demo Day which will include live music and snacks on the GMD deck (weather permitting)
• Monday, April 9:  Apres Ski Pool Party at our very own Alta Peruvian Lodge (Pool Deck, 4-6 pm)
• Tuesday, April 10:  Apres Ski at Alta’s Rustler Lodge complete with wine and appetizers (Eagle’s Nest Lounge, 4-6pm)
• Wednesday, April 11:  Apres Ski at the Shallow Shaft Restaurant featuring Epic Brewing (4-6 pm)
• Thursday, April 12:  Apres Ski at The Snowpine Lodge with ski races in the afternoon on Sunnyside as well as  beer and hotdogs at Alf’s Mid-Mountain Restaurant
• Friday, April 13:  Freaky Friday Stretchpants and Sunglasses Costumed Ski Day (there are prizes for the “best dressed” which will be drawn on the GMD deck at 3:30 pm)
• Sunday, April 15:  First Closing Day of the 2011-2012 ski season

Stay at the Alta Peruvian Lodge: A Great Headquarters for all of your Alta events!

The Alta Peruvian Lodge has been an Alta lodging staple for years, and this spring is no exception. We love spring skiing and we know you will too, so why not call our Alta Lodge staff today and book yourself a room?

Alta Events You Can’t miss in March

March 13^th – 17^th – The Subaru World Freeskiing Championships are coming to Snowbird Ski Area and spectators are encouraged (a valid lift ticket and ski equipment is necessary to access the spectator area). This is sure to be one of the many Alta events put on that are not to be missed by ski enthusiasts. Stop by and check out the great skills of some of the world’s best skiers and show your support.

March 17^th – Join Steve Young, the former San Francisco 49er as well as a group of NFL athletes and Olympians for the Steve Young Celebrity Ski Classic on March 17^th at Snowbird Ski Area, where they will be raising money for Wasatch Adaptive Sports programs. Presented by the Forever Young Foundation, Snowbird Ski Resort and American Airlines, this fundraiser is a great Alta event that combines the love of skiing with a good cause.

March 22^nd  – 23^rd – If you’re coming to Alta with your kids for some spring skiing, we highly recommend stopping by The Living Planet Aquarium for OffSpring Fling from March 22^nd to 23^rd an Alta event that’s all about baby animals! With interactive activities, hands-on games, crafts and prizes, this is certain to be a fun day for your whole family and the event is free with public aquarium admission.

March 22^nd – 25^th – The 26^th Annual ACE SnowFlake Festival & Chili Cookoff is being held from the 22^nd to 25^th of March this year, and will be four days of celebration all about the Town of Alta. One of our top Alta events, the festivities include:

• A kickoff dance party
• Mustache competition
• Snowshoe tours
• Games including: a gnome hunt, tug of war, fly casting contest, potato sack race and more
• Bingo night
• Annual chilli cookoff with prizes in both vegetarian and on-vegetarian categories

Where to stay for Alta Events – The Alta Peruvian Lodge

There are a lot of Alta events going on in March, and when you combine them with the great spring skiing we’re expecting, how can you not book a trip to an Alta lodge today? If you’re looking for a classic ski lodge with great amenities, why not try out the Alta Peruvian Lodge? We’ve been in Alta for over 60 years and we know exactly how to help you get the most out of your spring skiing trip.

Alta Events in February

February 4^th – During weekends in February in the Alta Ski Area, they’re holding Ski with a Ranger days one of their most popular Alta events where a highly trained volunteer from the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation will offer kids a fun learning experience on a groomed run while discussing local history, the environment and winter ecology. The event runs on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm and meets at the bottom of the Cecret Chairlift.

February 14^th – What would February be without some great Valentine’s Day Alta events? On Tuesday February 14^th at Our Lady of the Snows there will be a wine, chocolate and cheese tasting starting at 7pm. The event runs till 9:30 and is put on by the Alta Community Enrichment program and costs $15.00. The even requires pre-registration so if you’re coming to town with you sweetheart this Valentine’s day why not book early to make sure you can take part in this fun Alta event?

February 18^th – 24^th – Teen Freeride Camps are on during President’s Week in the Alta Ski Area. The camps are for teens aged 13-17 and help them improve their skills and get a better understanding of Alta’s great ski conditions. Skiers are not asked to commit to a certain number of days, making this Alta event perfect for vacationers. Check-in is at 8:30 am in the Ski Adventure Center and the camp runs till 4:30. The event cots $120 a day and includes lunch (doesn’t include lift tickets).

February 24^th – 25^th – The Telluride Mountainfilm Tour is coming to Alta this February. This informative event which is held at Our Lady of the Snows at 5:30pm on the 24^th and 25^th costs $5.00 per night and showcases some of the best films of the year from the Telluride MountainFilm Fest. Tickets are available at the door, and since you’re able to bring your own food, why not make a family picnic night out of it?

We still have Alta accommodations available for February but we’re filling up fast, so make sure you book quickly and don’t miss out on any of these great events.

December 31^st – On New Year’s Eve, Alta holds its traditional torchlight parade and fireworks! It follows the main cat track and is open for visitors to participate (as long as they can hold a snowplow down the whole track!). If you’re just interested in watching, the Goldminers Daughter is a good location, or you can park along the road for a good view as well. Why not visit Alta for our last seasonal event of 2011, and get the New Year started off right?

January 13^th & 14^th – Throughout weekends in January 2012 (weather permitting) Alta Ski Area hosts recreational racing which is open to anyone who wants to participate! Gold, Silver and Bronze Alta pins are awarded to winners, which are chosen based on a handicap system by age and gender. These Ski events are a great way to improve your skiing skills, and enjoy a little friendly competition while you’re visiting an Alta hotel.

January 18^th – 22^nd – The North Face Master’s of Snowboarding competition takes place in the Snowbird Ski Area this weekend and spectators are welcome! This event is a big opportunity for snowboarders with a $15,000.00 cash prize purse going to the winner. All competitors over the age of 18 are welcome, so if you want to show your skill (or just watch some great snowboarding) why not stop by and check it out? This is a ski event not to be missed if you’re in the area!

January 20^th – Are you concerned with the environment? Well if you’re staying at an Alta hotel on the 20^th why not stop by the Living Planet Aquarium in nearby Sandy, Utah where they’re celebrating National Penguin Awareness Day with everything from a penguin feeding exhibit, to a penguin themed scavenger hunt! If you show up in all black and white or a tux, your admission is free!

Gear Swap 2011, December 2 & 3 – The Annual Ace Gear Swap in Alta is a must-visit event at the beginning of the ski season. If you’re looking to upgrade your gear or simply get a great bargain you should stop by the event which shares 15% of every purchase with Alta Community Enrichment. Gear drop off takes place on December 2^nd from 3:00pm – 7:00pm while the actual sales take place on December 3^rd from 8:00am – 6:00pm. This is an extremely popular event in for guests of Alta, Ut hotels, so make sure to come by early so you don’t miss out!

Holiday Art Show & Sale, December 10 – Looking to buy some unique and local gifts for friends and family back home? Why not stop by this local event which features locally-crafted jewellery, arts and more!

Torchlight Parade & Fireworks, December 24 – A traditional holiday event here in Alta is the Snowbird Santa’s Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks. The event begins at dusk (around 6pm) with a torchlight parade down the mountain followed by a fabulous fireworks display.

The Alta hotel area is a great place to spend your holidays, but don’t wait too long to book! Our hotel is booking up quickly and space is limited. Call Alta Peruvian Lodge today for reservation details.