Big changes are coming to the town of Alta, that is if a proposed commercial-core project comes to pass.
Many people think of Alta as just a ski resort, but it actually is a town with a mayor, police force, and more. But this area at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon resembles a ghost town in the summer, since the resort has zero off-season operations (unlike Snowbird just down-canyon.) Project proponents say this development will give Alta a year-round economy, and will give the town more resources to “shape planning initiatives” and make decisions about “local land use and transportation.”
The driving force behind this development is the Mountain Accord. With more transit being on the table in Little Cottonwood Canyon, plus land swaps giving resorts more area to work with around the mountain’s base, Alta’s hands will be significantly unfettered.
According to Alta’s Preferred Plan, there may be new developments such as:
- A Community Center that incorporates employee housing and limited services as part of a mixed-use facility
- Après-ski, café, bakery, grocery/provisions and housing along SR-210 to help create a unique Main Street vibe
- New loop roadway to facilitate transit circulation
- Enhance SR 210 with parking improvements to facilitate the new community center, existing lodges and summer/winter users
- A major transit hub located in the Albion Base area where SR-210 and the future transit loop converge
- Small-scale employee housing and services located near the Transit Center
- Trash/recycling center located at the western end of town
- Winter/summer outdoor event areas with connecting trails at the Wildcat and Albion base areas
- Winter/summer connections between the highway/lodges and transfer tow area improved with a year-round lift (cabriolet)
- Improvements of base parking lots
- Wildcat Base parking lot adjusted to create a transit loop from SR-210
- Albion parking lot linked directly with the summer road as part of a loop roadway
Combined with Alta Ski Resort’s proposed updates that were recently submitted to the U.S. Forest Service, Alta will most certainly be a much different-looking place than it is today if everything gets approved. To find out much more information, and to see maps of several proposed alternatives to the plan, check out the project website.
What are your thoughts about Alta’s efforts to become a “small town” with a commercial core? Will it be nice to have year-round amenities and more development for apre’ ski and such? Or will such large-scale new development ruin the funky, low-key vibe that Alta is famous for?