Our family debated between spending two weeks at the Snowpine Lodge and or renting one of the three Powder Ridge units available for rent.
Advantages of Powder Ridge:
- Powder Ridge lets you rent a large, contiguous space that you can't get at a hotel
- Powder Ridge is cheaper / less expensive for the space
- Opportunity to cook for yourself! Can't do this in a hotel.
- If you use your car semi-regularly while at Alta it's more convenient to have a garage then to go through the valet each time to get your keys and your car.
Advantages of Snowpine (or insert GMD, Rustler, Alta Lodge):
- Cleaner, in my experience
- Amenities. Pool, hot tubs, spa, concierge, game room, restaurant, bar, etc.
- Closer to the slopes
- True ski-in/ski-out. Regarding these Powder Ridge units, it would be more accurate to say, "a cat track is within walking distance so no drive is needed to ski." These units at Powder Ridge are ski-in and _skate/hike_ out _if_ the asphalt road is covered with snow.
- Cleanliness
- Locker space with boot heaters/dryers on snow level
- Children can ski down to green and blue runs. At Powder Ridge you will be using your car to drive over and park at the base if you have green to blue-level skiers in your group.
- Never thought this would be the case, but our weeks at Snowpine have been quieter than at Powder Ridge. We could go to bed early and not be awakened. Not so at Powder Ridge. The floor and wall barriers between this unit and the duplex unit to the side and below are porous enough (to sound) that we were unable to sleep until the neighbors went to bed, which for the first week seemed well past midnight. Our children were awakened when the neighbors went in and out of their garage. I'm pretty sure we awakened the neighbors in the AM when our kids got up. We spoke with the neighbors who were apologetic and said they are hoping to do renovations this summer to add more soundproofing.
All in all, we had a wonderful two weeks at Powder Ridge. For next year, we booked our stay at Snowpine. I would consider Powder Ridge again if we had all intermediate to advanced skiers and were willing to trade off the other limitations in order to get the larger space and ability to cook for ourselves.
I am grateful for the good hospitality of the management and the owners. The differences above are "first world problem" differences -- just skiing up at Alta with loved ones, no matter where you stay, is a beautiful experience and wonderful privilege.
