Alta is a wonderful holiday destination because there are a variety of activities available during each season of the year. Although we may be famous for our world class snow conditions, there is also great rock climbing facilities in the area, which are suitable for all ages and skill levels. Utah Mountain Adventures are highly recommended for their climbing activities and they are known for their safe, professional and fun service. Read below for some more information on Alta mountain climbing.

What Alta mountain climbing activities are available during your Alta vacation?

Utah Mountain Adventures offer exciting Alta mountain climbing along the Wasatch range, where you can access Little Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, Mt Olympus, Bell’s Canyon and more. Their professional guides know the routes extremely well and have years of experience with rock climbing. Safety is their number one concern and they won’t take you anywhere that you don’t feel comfortable. The team can teach you the latest techniques as well as showing you points of interest along the way and there are some amazing views that you don’t want to miss. Classes include clinics for teens, corporate events and a variety of other courses. There is a rock climbing course available for beginners that teaches many of the basics including how to recognize hazards, how to move on rocks and how to use the technical gear safely. For more experienced climbers, you can take on the MT Superior Classic Alpine Climb. This trip takes you 3000 feat in the air and offers outstanding views.

Many classes are also available in winter too! You can try using your crampons and ice tools to cover dazzling frozen waterfalls and learn effective methods of scaling snow covered mountains.

Looking for the perfect Alta vacation? Book your stay with our Alta resort, the Alta Peruvian Lodge

For many locals and visitors, we are their chosen Alta ski lodge and our excellent accommodation has earned us an outstanding reputation. We have a variety of beautifully designed rooms as well as delicious in-house dining which includes a bountiful morning buffet. Our beautiful mountain backdrops and professional catering facilities also make us a favorite for couples looking for the perfect Alta wedding. Check out our Alta blog for more interesting articles with Alta activities, Alta events, Alta history and more. Contact Alta Peruvian when you are ready to book a wonderful Alta vacation.

Summer is sadly ending, but the upcoming fall season is a beautiful time to experience Alta’s amazing outdoors and explore some of the wonderful hiking trails in the area. There are dozens to choose from for a variety of skill levels and many are only a few minutes from our Alta resort. While taking a hike, you may also spot some of our local wildlife including moose, coyotes, deer, fox, eagles, and more.

During your Alta vacation, try some of these Alta hiking trails recommended by our Alta resort

Collins Gulch to Germania Pass: This track is 2.5 miles each way so make sure to prepare yourself with water and appropriate clothing before you leave. Set off from the parking lot in Goldminer’s Daughter/Wildcat Base on the south side of Highway 210 to access this service road/trail. The walk takes you through beautiful valleys with mild hills and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.

Cardiff Pass: Looking for stunning Alta views? This trail is the perfect choice. The steep hike climbs along the ridge opposite the Alta ski area and you’ll see many amazing views along the way. Distance is one mile each way and parking is located on the north side of Highway 210 by the U.S. Forest Service Garage.

Lower Albion Meadows Interpretive Trail: This half a mile walk can be accessed from the Albion Base parking lot and will take you on a relaxed trail with signs discussing the history, wildlife and geography of Alta.

Cecret Lake Interpretive Trail: Walk along Cecret Lake and take this moderately steep track which includes informative signs that have information about geology, hydrology, animal and plant life in Albion Basin.

Catherine’s Pass: Park your vehicle in Sunnyside parking area and then enjoy this 1 mile Alta hiking trail. Highlights include magnificent views of Albion Basin, Big Cottonwood Canyon and access to Lake Catherine.

Germania Pass via East Greeley: This trail is for more experienced hikers and is 2.5 miles each way. You follow an old mining road which goes through lush meadows and takes you to an elevation of 1300ft.

For more information including a detailed map, visit Discover Alta.

Coming for an Alta vacation? Our Alta resort is an excellent option

Guests who stay with the Alta Peruvian get to enjoy rustic charm coupled with modern amenities such as our pool and hot tub. The mountain is located right outside our front door and many of our guests return every year to experience the traditional Alta resort experience. Our friendly staff can recommend you many great Alta hiking trails and we have an exceptional reputation for comfort, service and style. Book your stay at our Alta ski lodge now and you won’t regret it!

There are many great things to see in and around Alta, Utah and our Alta resort but one of the most amazing to visit, especially if you love the outdoors, is the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which covers most of Utah and parts of both Idaho and Wyoming. The forest is 2.1 million acres and is filled with stunning lakes, trees and views which will appeal to every outdoor enthusiast.

The forests name is derived from several different historic locations:

Uinta – The native word for “Pine Forest” or “Pine Tree”
Wasatch – An Ute Indian word meaning “low place in high mountains”
Cache – A French word referring to caves where trappers used to hide their furs

What to see near our Alta Resort: Highlights of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Park

There are several beautiful recreation areas and wilderness areas within the parks grounds. While all of them are beautiful, we recommend visiting the Twin Peaks Wilderness Area, which can be found just to the East of Salt Lake City. Originally carved by glaciation and currently remodeled by erosion, this area consists of narrow canyons and high peaks (including Twin Peaks, Superior Peak, and Dromedary Peak) that combine to form a rugged and spectacular display. Much of the higher terrain is classified as alpine and characterized by large cirque basins and exposed rocky ridges.

If you’re just looking for a stunning scenic drive, State Route 190 follows Big Cottonwood Creek along the northern boundary and separates this Wilderness from Mount Olympus Wilderness to the north. State Route 210 follows Little Cottonwood Creek along the southern boundary and stands between Twin Peaks and Lone Peak Wilderness to the south. The canyons of both these creeks are highly scenic, and you’ll find trail heads along both routes.

What to do in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Park?

The park is known for its great hiking trails (although many are considered to be quite strenuous) and beautiful cycling routes as well as:

• Fishing in the lakes
• Climbing
• Picnic areas for day outings
• Nature viewing
• Hunting

And much more!

If you’re looking for a great place to bring the family during your next trip to Utah, our Alta Resort, the Alta Peruvian Lodge, definitely recommends stopping by this stunning park. Whether you’re interested in viewing the scenery, getting some exercise or looking into doing some hunting, fishing or horseback riding excursions, the park and the surrounding areas have everything that you’re looking for. For more information on the park, visit the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Park website.

Alta isn’t just an excellent skiing, wedding and vacation destination with an annual snowfall of over 500 inches. It also has an interesting history and played an integral part in the creation of the modern day ski resort model. Although the area is now a favoured celebrity hangout and the Park City area annually hosts the famous Sundance Movie Festival, Alta began as a modest mining town and was almost a ghost town at one point.

The history of Utah’s famous Alta Resort Town 

Alta began as a mining settlement in the 1880s with the first verified silver claim staked in 1865. Its name is a Spanish word meaning “upper or higher” possibly due to its mountain location. Central City was the name of the first settlement in the area, it only had a few small houses and businesses with a population under 200.

The town peaked in 1872 with 3000 residents, but declining silver values, land issues and inaccessible ore meant the population fell back down to 300 by 1880. Despite several discoveries by the Jacobsen Brothers in the Columbus Mine and the production of silver ore peaking, Alta became a ghost town with only six registered voters in the early 1930s.

Luckily, the mayor of Alta gave acres of land to the U.S Forest Service to develop a ski area in 1937. Norwegian skiing legend Alf Engen was hired to help develop the area, and Alta opened its first ski lift a year later. Its first ski lift was made a year later from pieces of an old aerial mining tram and was home to the second chairlift in American history.

They purchased 86,000 ski lifts in the second season and the first international competition was held in 1940. During World War II, paratroopers from the 10^th Mountain Regiment trained on the slopes.

The resort was enlarged again in 1960 because of the growing popularity of skiing and tourists were attracted to Alta’s natural beauty. This unique town has continued to develop over the decades and still holds its place as one of the world’s best skiing destinations.

Interested in an Alta resort vacation? Come visit the Alta Peruvian Lodge

If you want to discover Alta’s interesting mining past and witness its beauty personally, why not come stay at the Alta Peruvian lodge. The classic hotel was built in 1948 and has a delightful mix of rustic charm and modern sophistication. It is perfectly situated right next to the mountain and within just a few minutes of the Alta’s visitor attractions. For more information contact the friendly Alta Peruvian Lodge staff.