Don't go to the canyons of Utah to hang out in the Spa.
Don't go to the canyons of Utah for free hotel shower caps.
Don't go to the canyons of Utah for the night life.
Do go to the canyons of Utah to SKI.. ! By all means, if
you enjoy cooking while on vacation.. rent a condo. BUT
if you are like me.. and you like to SKI and not think about where
your next meal is coming from.. stay at a Lodge, Motel or Hotel which includes three meals with lodging. The ALTA PERUVIAN does this, and does it well. I was able to ski for 6 or 7 hours per day.. relax in their hot tub and pool.. eat and sleep without thinking about anything more important than....errrr.. nothing! I loved the APL... Sure, the kids that 'work' there are all about skiing, but so am I. There are enough people really 'working' there to get the job done. In fact, the older persons cleaning my room did a great job making the otherwise messy room...very neat and organized. The APL has a 'real' wood burning fireplace.. the staff seldom let's the blaze go out.. where else do you get real wood burning fireplaces? The APL van service gave us rides to ALTA (2 mintues) or Snowbird (8 minutes) at no charge (we tipped :). The APL will suggest Canyon Transporation for 60 dollar round trip rides to/from the SLC airport, and this is worth it. But if you have 4 people, book a van/taxi from SLC for 70 bucks each way, you'll save some money. YES the APL bedrooms are snug but not sparten, they have shampoo, soap, lots of towels, bath robes to get to/from the hot tub.. lots of clean blankes and very very comfortable beds ! If you're taking a mid-week break from skiing, try the Cliff Spa, it's expensive, but a nice place to hang out for the afternoon. . plus there are a few stores worth checking out.. at the Cliffs. Again, if you're looking for Hilton atmosphere.. fur collars and beauty saloons, forget the Alta Peruvian Lodge. If you want a predictable place to say.. that does NOT have a stick stuck up their butt.. stay at the APL, you'll not get pamperd, but you'll have a great homebase for skiing Alta and Snowbird.

Pick what's not to like: lagoon-sized potholes in the parking lot, discarded mattresses in the yard, seedy frat-house decor,flophouse bar, shortages of bread, wine and beer in the dining room (I kid you not), give-a-damn hung-over locals serving you frozen sugar snap peas as your sole vegetable choice very night, the messy lobby with newspapers and playing cards lying everywhere, local drunks hanging out in the pool Thursdays through Sundays, or the permanently out of service Internet. Other similar choices await you if you foolishly choose this over-the-hill mountain version of your college fraternity house for your next vacation. The best entertainment is the complaints of your fellow guests. Don't let the Peruvian's website or its photos fool you. This faded dowager is way, way past her prime.

Just so you know where I am coming from I have been going out West for about 5 years (Park City/Deer Valley, Vail, Whistler, Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, Steamboat) and Alta is my favorite mountain. The atmosphere is is like any other. Crazy amounts of snow, average over 500 inches a year.

The Peruvian is a totally unique experience. If you are looking for a ritzy ski resort, DO NOT COME HERE. If want a place that it totally unique, killer atmosphere, friendly people (staff and guests) this is your place. Its one of the few places that is actually one the mountain. I think my Dad summed up the Peruvian by saying "Its a 1 star hotel, with 5 star ambiance". I would call it a cross over between a hostel and ski lodge. The rooms could be described as "spartan", but if your into skiing (Alta is for skiers, no snowboarding allowed) how much time are you really in your room. When I wasn't skiing I was hangin g out in the lounge or hot tube.

I just think the ambiance of the place makes it like no place else on the planet. I talked to so many people that have been coming to the Peruvian 10 or more years. After the first night I knew why. Cant wait to go back

First of all being from Denver, we think we have the best skiing in the world. WRONG! Utah and Alta in particular are so much better than any resort in CO. More Snow, Huge Mountains and NO PEOPLE! Now the Peruvian. AWESOME is the only word to describe it. The whole experience is great. The rooms are comfortable, the food is outstanding, I met people there who have been coming to the Peruvian for years and I can see why. I know I will be back again and again. If you want glitzy resorts that are expensive and crowded go to Colorado, if you want an experience of a lifetime go to the Peruvian Lodge in Alta!