North America
USA
Alta
Natural snow at mid-mountain (2,908 m) is reliably skiable from 16 Jan to 30 Apr. At the peak of the season the village at 2,600 m is snow-sure (90% of days) and the summit averages 39 cm of fresh snow per fortnight.
Month by month
October
Natural snow at mid-mountain reached 30 cm on fewer than 5% of days.
November
Unreliable for natural snow. Mid-mountain reached 30 cm on 7% of days.
December
Unreliable for natural snow. Mid-mountain reached 30 cm on 49% of days. The summit averages 58 cm of new snow in the month.
January
Usually skiable. Mid-mountain had 30 cm or more on 87% of days, typically 60 cm deep. In the worst of the eleven seasons there was none. Snow usually reaches the village too (74% of days). The summit averages 72 cm of new snow in the month.
February
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,908 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 92 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. Snow usually reaches the village too (94% of days). The summit averages 67 cm of new snow in the month.
March
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,908 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 110 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. Snow usually reaches the village too (98% of days). The summit averages 73 cm of new snow in the month.
April
Snow-sure. Mid-mountain (2,908 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 100% of days, with a typical depth of 111 cm. The worst of the eleven seasons managed 100%. Snow usually reaches the village too (70% of days). The summit averages 58 cm of new snow in the month.
May
Unreliable for natural snow. Mid-mountain reached 30 cm on 58% of days. The summit averages 30 cm of new snow in the month.
June to September
Natural snow at mid-mountain reached 30 cm on fewer than 5% of days.
Questions
When is the best time to ski Alta?
For natural snow, 16 Jan to 30 Apr. In that window mid-mountain (2,908 m) had 30 cm or more of natural snow on at least 90% of days across eleven seasons. April is the most reliable month.
Is there snow at Alta in December?
In December, mid-mountain had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 49% of days over eleven seasons, typically 28 cm deep. One or more seasons had none at all.
Does the snow reach the village at Alta?
At its most reliable, in April, the village at 2,600 m had 30 cm or more of natural snow on 70% of days. You can usually ski back to the village.
How high is Alta?
The modelled village is at 2,600 m, mid-mountain at 2,908 m and the summit at 3,216 m. The ski area itself spans 2,602 m to 3,217 m.
Is snow at Alta getting more or less reliable?
Over the eleven seasons modelled, snow-sure days have gone up by about 28 per decade. Eleven seasons is too short to separate a climate trend from year-to-year swings.
What is the nearest airport to Alta?
Salt Lake City (SLC) is about 36 km away in a straight line. Provo (PVU) is 42 km away. Road distances are longer.