ALTA

Alta is one of those areas that never changed its desire to preserve and protect the ski experience of its guests. The Alta "skiing emphasis" attempts to match the number of skiers with its facilities. Check out the new Wildcat Base Area - Alta's first big facelift in years. There is little question that the small cluster of classic ski lodges atop Little Cottonwood Canyon is home to one of the finest ski experiences in the world. If you need a big city fix, Salt Lake City is just down the canyon.

Merit SkiBitz: 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport
Best après-ski: Goldminer’s Daughter
Must do:  Shallow Shaft restaurant