I just got back from Alta. They were loading all of their running chairs at every second chair intervals. The stated, and probably real reason, was snow preservation. I think the high speed lifts were also running at less than full speed, probably 80% of normal weekend speeds. There was plenty of terrain open, especially when compared with Snowbird, but when venturing off the snowmaking pistes, you did have to be a bit light on your feet in places. Brush was more of an obstacle than rocks, but there were definitely rocks. The snowmaking slopes were pretty slick in places, but well covered.I understand that they will open the new Supreme lift this weekend. No snowmaking on that terrain, but I am told that there is enough natural snow.Interesting that they bombed some of the snowmaking whales with hand charges, just to make sure they were stable,.
