It is one of the oldest ski areas in the United States, and arguably one of the most beautiful. Alta, located at the head of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s Wasatch mountain range, officially became a ski area in 1939, and is now one of the country’s top skiing destinations. But how Alta came to be is where the real story lies. From miners and loggers to publishers and mayors to Olympians and engineers – meet the people behind Alta with historical footage and present-day interviews in The Alta Experience, previously seen on public television. See film of Alf Engen, the champion ski jumper who first recommended Alta become a ski area and, later, developed powder skiing. And watch vintage movies of the area’s first skiers.

Behind the Mountain
Before it was a ski area, Alta was a logging and mining town. When the mining boom went bust, most of the town moved away except for a few people who had fallen in love with the mountain. Through vintage photographs and footage, you get to meet the men and women who made Alta.

Collins Lift
Alpine skiing didn’t become popular until the late 1930’s when the rope-tow and the chairlift were invented. The people behind Alta hoped to create a ski area that catered to the community, but in order to that, they needed one of these new inventions. See how Utah’s first chair lift – Collins Lift -- was built using old mining equipment and find out what it was like to ride it!

Run Time: Approx. 55 minutes