alta

I woke up to four inches of new snow at my house in the Salt Lake Valley. Alta was reporting 8 inches overnight with another 8 plus today... and it was Demo Day. I tried out a number of telemark skis, so check back in the coming days for my reviews. (They will be under the GEAR REVIEW section of nationaloutdoors.net.)

Alta's website is reporting 13 inches from the storm on Wednesday-Thursday with a 25 inch base. I headed up to check it out. There were a lot of people out for a Friday afternoon. It was 60 degrees at the base. I talked to a few people and said it was fantastic up high. "Not bad for October" laughed someone else.

There's about a foot of snow at the base. I cross-country skied briefly with my daughter, then build a snow woman. (There was some dead grass we used for long hair). There's enough snow to get out and play. Ski, Snowboard, sled... or whatever.

Cecret Lake sits at the top of Albion Basin above the town of Alta, Utah. In the winter the lake is frozen and within the boundaries of Alta Ski Lifts. In the summer the lake is a short, but steep hike from the Albion Basin parking lot and/or campground.

The trail is well marked. Along the trail you'll see thousands of wildflowers, and it's not uncommon to see a few moose. Half of the trail follows a gravel road. The other half is steep and rocking, with a series of switchbacks.

Alta ski resort again this year is offering the ski free after 3PM program. You get to ski free on the sunnyside lift in albion basin from 3PM to 4:30PM any time and day of the week. This is a great deal for anyone looking to get back into skiing, learn how to ski or teach the little ones how to ski. New this years is a $5 fee for the card you must scan to get on the lift. (Alta's going hi-tech this year)

Webcams for Alta Ski Lifts, Utah.