Photo: Alta Ski Area

Traffic tensions are high in Little Cottonwood Canyon

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — In a recent town council meeting in the Town of Alta, Mike Maughan, the general manager of Alta Ski Area, expressed frustration with the neighboring Snowbird resort’s reluctance to implement a parking reservation system, which he believes is exacerbating traffic problems in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

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According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Maughan highlighted the benefits Alta has seen from its reservation system, including reduced traffic congestion and increased carpooling, but noted that Snowbird’s refusal to adopt a similar system is negatively affecting Alta’s customers and employees. Despite previous discussions with Dave Fields, Snowbird’s general manager, the issue remains unresolved.

Fields countered that Snowbird’s unique parking challenges, particularly related to avalanche conditions, make a full reservation system impractical. He also attributed part of the traffic issues to the Utah Transit Authority’s elimination of a popular bus route through the canyon.

Both parties acknowledge the need for a solution to the traffic problem, but perspectives on the best approach differ significantly.