FIVE THINGS is your source for quick-hitting content—easy-to-digest tidbits meant to keep your mind focused, you skiing obsession sated and your stoke high. This story was originally published on Alta’s website and repurposed here for your reading pleasure.
Alta Ski Area is a place of folklore in the skiing community. Its location, nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, provides ample snowfall and plentiful bluebird days, ideal for deep, dreamy powder skiing. Over the years, authors and photographers have published many-a-book about the idolized locale. Here, with the help of the Alta Book Club, we’ve compiled five of the best coffee table titles about Alta Ski Area and the history of skiing in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Alta Magic | Lee Cohen
Lee Cohen, aka “the Magnate,” has been a staple of Alta Ski Area since the early-80s. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Cohen moved to Utah, started taking photos of his friends skiing deep powder snow at Alta more than 20 years ago. Now, he’s widely recognized as one of the most influential photographers in the world of skiing. Alta Magic is a collection of ski photos, stories, essays and poems.
Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth | Jim Steenburgh
University of Utah Atmospheric Sciences Professor Jim Steenburgh is a snow fanatic and one of the best resources for snow-related information for the Wasatch Mountains. According to Jim’s mountain weather blog, Wasatch Weather Weenies, “Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth is the ultimate meteorological guide for powder hounds, snow geeks, and weather enthusiasts.”
Skiing a Way of Life: Saga of the Engen Brothers | Sverre Engen
Who better to tell the story of the Engen Brothers than Sverre Engen, brother of Alf and Corey Engen. These three Norwegian brothers founded Alta and other ski areas in the Mountain West. This book captures a great piece of history with an iconic cover featuring Alf Engen skiing powder, the with familiar Mount Superior looming in the background.
The Powder Hound’s Guide to Skiing Alta | Brad Asmus
In this classic by longtime Utah local, Brad Asmus, you’ll see detailed maps, stunning photography and read in-depth descriptions to help you make the most out of your next day at Alta Ski Area. Still, you may not be able to ski like a local, but you will certainly sound like one after reading this guide.
Deep Powder Snow | Dolores LaChapelle
This hard-to-find gem is heralded as one of the best works of literature from the early days of skiing. Dolores LaChapelle, ex-wife of early Alta Snow Ranger, Ed LaChapelle, documents a 40-year path to understanding the connection between humans and the mountains. You can learn even more more about LaChapelle—the First Lady of Powder Skiing—in this exclusive feature story from FREESKIER’s most recent Backcountry Issue, 22.3.
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