We just returned from a long weekend at the Alta Lodge and I can't say enough good things about this place! I'm almost hesitant to write anything because I don't want to let any more people in on the secret (we barely got a room this trip b/c it was so packed!), but I was so impressed that I had to share...
First, I have to say that if you're looking for a fancy 5-star ski lodge, this is probably not the place for you. Alta Lodge is definitely nice, but does have a slightly more rustic, old-school feel. To be honest, this is precisely the reason we loved it! We booked our ski trip late and ended up getting the last room available for the first 2 nights and then had to switch to a different room for the last night. Apparently this is a pretty popular place and we were lucky to get in at all! Our first room was fantastic...we had a corner room with a spectacular view of the slopes, a fireplace, a VERY comfortable bed, and a nice bathroom with a separate extra vanity area. Our second room was a slight step down, but still very nice with a great view of the mountains opposite the slopes and again a nice bed and bathroom. The rooms do not have TVs, but it wasn't an issue for us at all. They do have a large flat-screen TV in a lounge room off the lobby, so we could watch the NCAA basketball tournament games at night...plus, it was kind of fun to watch TV with the other guests and make friends. I thought the prices were very reasonable...$500 for the first room and $400 for the second, and that includes a hot breakfast and dinner! For a ski-in, ski-out lodge with meals included, I'm not sure how you do much better.
The food at the Lodge was fantastic!!! What a perfect way to start off a day of skiing with a delicious hot breakfast...and end it with a fabulous four-course dinner! It was really nice to not have to worry about cooking meals or buying groceries...you just walk up to the community dining room and voila, breakfast/dinner is served! Breakfast is a hot buffet containing a myriad of yummy food (eggs, pancakes, french toast, bacon, etc, etc, etc), but if you are craving something different, all you have to do is ask and the kitchen will prepare anything on request! The dinner menu changes daily, but always has soup, salad, entree (3 choices) and a dessert. All three dinners we had were delicious! The food and the atmosphere make you feel like you're at a fancy restaurant, but it's nice because you don't have to get dressed up and it's right there at the lodge.
The service at Alta Lodge was great, as well. The staff is very friendly and helpful...they really go above and beyond to make sure your stay is perfect. We had a 6am flight out on the last day and we knew we would be hungry missing breakfast, so we asked the front desk if we could get some dry cereal to eat when we got up the next morning. They offered to do way more than that, laying out a variety of fresh fruit, cereal, and a carafe of milk on ice in the lobby the night before...just for us! You just don't get this kind of above-and-beyond service at most places.
I also loved the fact that the lodge is ski-in, ski-out. They provide a locker downstairs for your skis and boots, so all you have to do is walk out, put your skis on, and ski down a small hill to the Collins lift. Then there is a tow rope that pulls you back up when you get home in the afternoon...pretty convenient!
And last but not least, I should mention that the lodge has 2 very large hot tubs, which we enjoyed every evening after skiing. They were never overcrowded and were the perfect relief for sore muscles after a hard day's work. They also have sauna rooms for men & women, but we just stuck to the hot tubs.
This was my first time staying at the Alta Lodge, but it will definitely not be the last! I can't wait to get back to my new favorite lodge at the best ski mountain in the country!
