What It's Like Skiing At Alta After A 34 Hour Interlodge

Ian Greenwood
·2 min read
2

Over the long weekend, two miraculous things happened at Alta Ski Area, Utah. First, the resort picked up 84 inches of snow. Second, a 34-hour interlodge took place.

As any Alta local knows, the combination of heavy snowfall and a prolonged interlodge (they often go hand in hand) means one thing: bottomless powder.

Here's proof.

Interlodges are a unique part of the Little Cottonwood Canyon skiing experience. Mind you—they're not some fun event where everyone's invited up Canyon for a sleepover just cause'—their implementation arose out of dire necessity.

The walls of Little Cottonwood Canyon are narrow and viciously steep, and 80% of the buildings in the Town of Alta reside in avalanche slide paths. Thus, to keep skiers, resort employees, and residents safe, Alta institutes an interlodge when the avalanche risk becomes too high to manage.

During an interlodge, it is illegal to go outside, save for a few specific instances. According to Alta, violating an interlodge order is a class B Misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. As you might expect, Alta isn't open for skiing until the interlodge lifts.

All the while, the snow keeps stacking up, untouched by the expectant skiers safely waiting indoors.

While the interlodge is in place, Alta, Snowbird, and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) combine forces to perform avalanche control work. Once they decide the coast is clear, the interlodge ends, and the lifts start spinning once again.

And, as evidenced by the video you just watched, the conditions are usually all time, serving up a salient reminder that good things come to those who wait.

Related: Oregon Resort Asks Skiers And Hikers To Stay Away From Lifts

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