Snow dusted Alta, Solitude and Brighton on Monday, Oct. 12, giving Millcreek-area skiers their first look at winter in the Cottonwood Canyons.

Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon confirmed about 1.5 inches of measurable snowfall, ABC4 reported. Solitude Mountain Resort and Brighton Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon picked up snow of their own. The National Weather Service forecast 4 to 10 inches for the Upper Cottonwoods through Wednesday, Oct. 14, with snow levels dropping below 9,000 feet overnight Sunday into Monday.

The storm formed when remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel collided with cold air pushing into Utah from the northwest, according to KUTV.

Both Alta and Solitude are targeting Nov. 20 as opening day. Brighton has not announced a date.

The snow shut down Brighton's planned final day of summer and fall operations, closing mountain biking, disc golf and scenic lift rides. Brighton posted on X that snow had arrived in Big Cottonwood Canyon and that more was expected. The resort said the weather forced the early end to what was supposed to be its last day of warm-season activities.

OpenSnow meteorologist Alan Smith wrote on Oct. 12 that "snow levels will dip to around mid-mountain at Snowbird, Alta, and other Wasatch ski resorts during the day on Monday, before lowering to near the base areas on Monday night and Tuesday morning." As the heaviest precipitation tapers off, the National Weather Service said higher elevations can expect additional accumulations through Wednesday, according to Fox 13.

The early snow carries extra weight after last season's poor snowpack, which the Deseret News described as "dismal." Utah's ski areas suffered one of their worst winters in recent memory during the 2025-26 season, and resorts have spent the offseason preparing for a rebound.

Alta completed a multiyear renovation of its Albion Day Lodge, adding 3,400 square feet of dining space and 12 employee housing units alongside a 19th avalanche mitigation tower, according to ABC4's season preview. Solitude expanded system-wide snowmaking.

Brighton season pass prices increase after Nov. 2.