Alta plans to replace Sunnyside lift with new six-pack this summer

Alta plans to remove the Albion chairlift next summer. Photo: Alta Ski Area

ALTA, Utah — Alta Ski Area is planning to replace the Sunnyside lift with a new, six-pack detachable lift during the summer of 2022, according to documents filed with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

The USFS approved the project in 2017 as part of Alta’s master development plan.

Alta is proposing to remove the Albion chairlift. “The new lift would serve the functions of both the existing Sunnyside and Albion lifts, making Albion lift unnecessary. Coupled with its age and condition, this makes removal of the Albion lift appropriate at this time,” the project summary says.

In 2016, Alta replaced the Supreme Chair, and later added a chair that goes up to the Snowpine Lodge in 2018.

The Albion lift was installed in 1976, and is rarely operated and is maintained only to provide back-up capacity out of the Albion base area if the Sunnyside lift breaks down.

Projects approved by USFS that have not been completed at Alta:

• Construction of a Wildcat Day Lodge between the Collins lift base terminal and the Skier Services building.
• Extension of snowmaking water and power from the pumphouse near the base of Sugarloaf lift to the bottom of the previous Supreme bottom terminal, near the Cecret lake trailhead.

Sunnyside chairlift POV: