Snowpine Lodge

Snowpine Lodge is the newest most posh slopeside lodging at Alta, reinvented and reopened in 2019, the previous rustic Snowpine here was completely overhauled. It’s the perfect place to stay, ideally situated in Alta’s very humble, historic and glorious canyon – a haven for skiers since 1938.

Alta needed a boutique hotel – and this is IT – an alpine lodge with 54 elegant rooms, it’s the smallest of Alta’s 5 hotels.

Snowpine was beautifully rebuilt on the original 1800’s mining site, remnants of the old mine operations have been artfully incorporated in the Spa’s Grotto, just an example of the clever architecture. The cozy fireplace lobby was warm and inviting upon our arrival, as bellhops whisked our bags up to our room, and our ski gear down to the ski room.

Our spacious top floor corner room decorated in mod blond wood and a spa-like bath was lovely, the balcony view of Alta’s steep ski runs descending to the base was even better. Here we could watch the morning patrol and groomer activity before and after the lift hours, and even see the Alpen glow as the sun set down canyon. There’s no need to leave Snowpine Lodge, except to ski – obviously!

The cozy mountain view Gulch’s Pub is the place to reminisce about your ski day over drinks, try the tequila cocktail – Ancho El Santo, and delicious pub fare, or dine in Snowpine’s more formal Sven’s – serving breakfast and dinner.

Snowpine has one of the best ski rooms we’ve witnessed (on par with Jackson Hole Four Season and Amangani in Courchevel). Private ski lockers equipped with boot and glove dryers lead to a gorgeous living room with fireplace for suiting up, and a Powder Hounds ski shop for tuning, rentals, or any gear you might need (or want). Snowpine even installed its own ski lift to bring you back up to the Lodge’s high perch, wouldn’t want you to have to hike after your ski day traversing out to Alta’s big descents.

After charging Alta’s legendary terrain in fluffy pow, we’d don our fluffy robes and slippers and head out to one of the two bubbly hot tubs by a grand fireplace and outdoor pool, surrounded by gently falling snow.

The Lodge’s Stillwell Spa is a spectacular indoor labyrinth of luxury, with an illuminated Grotto for soaking, plus extensive massage and beauty treatments, even oxygen therapy if you’re feeling the Utah altitude at this 8,500’ locale.

Don’t miss Snowpine’s fabulous Game Room, fun for kids and kids at heart with billiards, ping pong, foosball, and every arcade game imaginable plus leather couches, big TVs and a fireplace, and a young kids Little Nest with organized activities on family holidays.

Snowpine is ideal for ski couples, or ski families – ask for the adjoining suites with kids’ nook. The lodge is perfectly articulated for skiers, you can tell its ski-family owned. Interesting, the owner’s great grandfather Sven was an Alta miner, hence the restaurant name.

Not to forget snowchasers, Snowpine also has 14 basic bunks available nightly at a lower price point – a nice option if you find yourself snowed-in at Little Cottonwood Canyon (it happens) – you enjoy all the amenities of the Lodge – if not the luxury guest room.

Stay at Snowpine, maybe you’ll be snowed in, skiing Alta– and over to inter-connected Snowbird too, while everyone else is down Little Cottonwood Canyon wishing they were you.