Alta Snow Conditions Overview
Alta in Utah, USA sits at 3,374m (11,070ft) elevation and averages 490cm of annual snowfall based on 10 years of historical data (2015-2025). During the ski season, Alta receives approximately 400cm of snow. The best month for powder is March, averaging 78.9cm of snowfall with a 50% powder probability. The highest chance of fresh powder (15cm+ in any given week) occurs in January and March at 53%.
- Annual Snowfall
- 490cm
- Elevation
- 3,374m
- Best Month
- March
- Powder Probability
- 53%
Snowfall data sourced from ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2015-2025).
Check Alta snow forecast for your dates
Based on 10 years of historical snowfall data
About Alta
Alta sits at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah's Wasatch Range, with lift-served terrain reaching 3,374m above a base near 2,600m. One of the oldest ski areas in the United States (operating since 1939) and famously skier-only, it is renowned for the light, dry "Greatest Snow on Earth" that forms when Pacific storms wring out over the Great Salt Lake and bank up against the steep canyon walls. Across 10 winters of ERA5 reanalysis data (2015-2025), Alta averages roughly 490cm (193 inches) of snowfall a year, among the highest of any resort tracked here. This page uses that decade of historical data to help you find the weeks most likely to deliver fresh powder.
Snowfall patterns over the last decade
Across ERA5 reanalysis snowfall records from 2015 to 2025, Alta averages roughly 490cm (193 inches) of snowfall a year — among the highest totals of any resort tracked here — spread remarkably evenly across a long midwinter. Unlike most resorts, Alta has no single dominant month: March is marginally the heaviest in the 10-year average at 78.9cm, with January almost level at 78.2cm and February close behind at 72.6cm. April stays unusually strong for a spring month at 62.9cm, December averages 60.3cm, and even November opens the season at 47cm. The result is a roughly five-month window (November through April) in which any given week has a realistic chance of fresh snow.
Ranked by powder probability — the share of weeks with at least 15cm of fresh snow — Alta is exceptional: January leads at 53%, March at 50%, February at 49%, April at 42% and December at 39%. In other words, across the heart of the season more than two weeks in five historically deliver a powder event, which is why Little Cottonwood Canyon has its reputation. The mechanism is orographic: Pacific storms cross the Great Salt Lake, pick up moisture, then dump it as low-density snow as they climb the steep Wasatch walls above the resort.
Year-to-year variability is real but Alta's midwinter is dependable by mountain standards. January in the 10-year record ranges from a dry 23.5cm to a deep 156.7cm, February from 15.3cm to 120.6cm, and March — the most reliable peak month — never fell below 40.7cm and topped out at 155.1cm. For a trip that balances depth, powder odds and reliable cover, the late-January through mid-March window has historically been the strongest at Alta, with April offering a quieter spring alternative that still clears a 42% powder probability. A multi-year baseline like this is more useful for choosing travel dates than any single-day Alta snow report.
Snow & Weather Conditions
We use 10 years of historical data to help you plan — not a live snow report.
Utah's legendary slogan "The Greatest Snow on Earth" is backed by science — the unique lake-effect weather pattern from the Great Salt Lake produces incredibly light, dry powder with low moisture content. The high elevation ensures a cold, consistent climate that favours natural snow preservation. Storms frequently deliver generous totals, and the altitude keeps the snowpack dense and skiable throughout the core winter months. Most winters deliver 6-10 metres of cumulative snow, compressing into a 2-metre-plus base by the middle of the season.
Best Time to Ski
The best time to ski at Alta is January and March, with 78.2cm average snowfall and 53% powder probability. Based on 10 years of historical snowfall data from PowderDays. Season runs November to late April. January and February typically deliver the most consistent powder days. Review PowderDays' long-range snowfall records to choose travel dates backed by a decade of observations.
Powder Probability by Month
Chance of 15cm+ fresh snow in any given week (10 years of data):
- Nov28%
- Dec39%
- Jan53%
- Feb49%
- Mar50%
- Apr42%
10-Year Snow History
| Month | Avg Snowfall (cm) | Record High | Record Low | Powder Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov | 47.0 | 71.5 | 27.0 | 28% |
| Dec | 60.3 | 120.7 | 33.1 | 39% |
| Jan | 78.2 | 156.7 | 23.5 | 53% |
| Feb | 72.6 | 120.6 | 15.3 | 49% |
| Mar | 78.9 | 155.1 | 40.7 | 50% |
| Apr | 62.9 | 103.7 | 22.7 | 42% |
What Makes It Special
Steep, expert-friendly terrain dominates, from tight tree runs to wide powder-filled bowls. Many resorts offer over 3,000 vertical feet of skiing. Utah resorts are known for easy access from Salt Lake City (often under an hour), friendly locals, and a growing food and craft-drink scene.
"The Greatest Snow on Earth" is Utah's official trademarked tourism slogan. Research from the University of Utah's Department of Atmospheric Sciences confirms that Utah snow averages just 8.5% water content compared to the 12% typical of other regions, making it measurably lighter and drier.
Data Sources & Methodology
All snowfall statistics for Alta are based on 10 years of historical data (2015-2025) from the Open-Meteo Historical Weather API, which provides ERA5 reanalysis data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Daily snowfall totals are queried at Alta's coordinates (40.59, -111.64) and 3,374m elevation, then aggregated into monthly averages, record highs/lows, and powder probability scores. Powder probability represents the chance of receiving 15cm or more of fresh snow in any given week during that month.