Alta Ski Area will charge skiers $100 for missing a parking reservation this winter, part of a tighter set of rules at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The resort announced changes to its license-plate-based parking reservation system for the 2026-27 season, as first reported by ABC4. The first missed reservation triggers a warning. Every no-show after that costs $100, charged to the card on file.
Skiers must cancel reservations before 8 a.m. on the day of their reservation to avoid the fee. Alta will send a text reminder 24 hours beforehand.
The resort is also capping accounts at four active reservations at a time, whether free or paid. Same-day reservations, if available, do not count toward that limit.
Alta's website describes parking management as one of the biggest challenges for both the resort and the Town of Alta, given the canyon's limited space. The canyon's geography, surrounding national forest and frequent snowfall confine parking to two main base-area lots and a few lots in town, according to Alta's parking page.
The problem Alta is targeting: ghost reservations. Skiers book spots in advance but never show up, leaving spaces empty while others get turned away, according to Teton Gravity Research. Parking without any reservation during enforced hours carries a separate $150 fine.
When reservations are required
Reservations are required on Fridays through Sundays and during holiday periods from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting Dec. 11 and running through April 4, according to ABC4. Holiday periods listed in that report include Dec. 18 through Jan. 3, Jan. 18 and Feb. 15. Alta's own parking page lists slightly different holiday dates in places, so skiers should check the resort's website for the final schedule.
Closing day, April 25, also requires a reservation from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
No reservation is needed from opening day through Dec. 10, or on Mondays through Thursdays after 8 a.m. outside holiday periods. After 1 p.m. any day, parking is first-come, first-served.
What it costs
Non-passholders pay $25 per day for a parking reservation. Buying a lift ticket online drops that rate to $10, according to Alta's parking page. Qualifying Alta and Alta-Bird passholders can reserve for free using a parking key tied to their account.
Early-morning backcountry skiers can book a 6 a.m. spot in the South Flagstaff lot for $25 on weekends and holidays or $15 on weekdays.
Options if you miss out
If State Route 210 closes for avalanche control or severe weather, the no-show penalty is waived, according to Teton Gravity Research. Skiers can also contact Alta's parking management team by email for emergencies.
Skiers without a morning reservation can still reach Alta by riding the UTA ski bus or arriving after 1 p.m., when the reservation window ends.
Alta is set to open Friday, Nov. 20, conditions permitting. Reservations are already available online, and additional spots are released each Sunday at 3 p.m. Mountain Time for the following weekend or holiday period.
