Alta vs Snowbird: which should you pick?
Next-door neighbors at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon with famously deep snow. Alta is skiers only and old-school; Snowbird has the tram, steep terrain, and allows snowboarders. As of November 8, 2026, Alta has 0.0" of snow forecast over the next 7 days and Snowbird has 0.0".
Pick Alta if…
- Everyone in your group skis (no snowboards at Alta)
- You want classic lodges and a laid-back, old-school feel
- You love traversing to find untracked snow
Pick Snowbird if…
- Anyone snowboards
- You want the aerial tram and big, steep lines
- You want slopeside hotels with more amenities
Alta vs Snowbird by the numbers
| Stat | Alta | Snowbird |
|---|---|---|
| Snow next 7 days | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Snow next 14 days | 8.0" | 7.8" |
| Average annual snowfall* | 545" | 500" |
| Snowiest months | Mar, Jan, Feb | Mar, Jan, Feb |
| Pass (2026-27) | Ikon Pass | Ikon Pass |
| Summit elevation | 10,550 ft | 11,000 ft |
| Base elevation | 8,530 ft | 7,760 ft |
| Vertical drop | 2,020 ft | 3,240 ft |
| Nearest airport | Salt Lake City International (SLC) | Salt Lake City International (SLC) |
| Opening day | Scheduled Nov 20 | Scheduled Nov 27 |
| Location | Utah | Utah |
Forecasts are mid-mountain from Open-Meteo, updated every 6 hours. Snowiest months come from 10 seasons of modeled weather data. *Average annual snowfall is resort-reported (sources: Alta, Wikipedia, Snowbird, Wikipedia).
Plan a Alta trip
Plan a Snowbird trip
Alta vs Snowbird FAQ
Which is better, Alta or Snowbird?
Next-door neighbors at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon with famously deep snow. Alta is skiers only and old-school; Snowbird has the tram, steep terrain, and allows snowboarders.
Which gets more snow, Alta or Snowbird?
On average, Alta reports more snow: about 545 inches a year, compared with about 500 inches at Snowbird (resort-reported averages). As of November 8, 2026, Alta has 0.0" of snow forecast over the next 7 days and Snowbird has 0.0".
Which is higher, Alta or Snowbird?
Snowbird has the higher summit at 11,000 ft. Alta tops out at 10,550 ft and Snowbird at 11,000 ft.
Which has more vertical, Alta or Snowbird?
Snowbird has more vertical: 3,240 ft from base to summit, versus 2,020 ft at Alta.
Are Alta and Snowbird on the Epic or Ikon Pass?
Alta: Ikon Pass. Snowbird: Ikon Pass. Pass coverage is for the 2026-27 season; see Ikon vs Epic for blackout dates.
What airports serve Alta and Snowbird?
Alta: Salt Lake City International (SLC). Snowbird: Salt Lake City International (SLC).