Getting there: Salt Lake International Airport--a Delta hub--is regularly served by flights from Los Angeles, Burbank, Ontario, Palm Springs, Orange County and San Diego. Daily bus service is available to Alta and Snowbird from the airport and downtown hotels. By car, Alta is 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Take Interstate 80 to I-215 and on to Utah 210, or I-80 to I-15 to Utah 209.
Where to stay: Five lodges and five condominium complexes accommodate 1,200 to 1,500. Best bets are the Alta and Rustler lodges, followed by Alta Peruvian and Goldminer's Daughter. Dorm accommodations available at Snowpine Lodge. Excellent accommodations at Snowbird, one mile down-canyon. Reservations are required most of the season. Also, a selection of vacation rental homes complete with hot tubs, barbecue decks, VCR, cable TV, fully equipped kitchens, fireplaces--from $280 a night, up to five people, to $320 a night. Packages available until April, 1991. Phone the Alta Reservation Service at (801) 942-0404.
Where to eat: Breakfast and dinner are included at all Alta lodges. Excellent lunches at Goldminer's Daughter, and Rustler and Alta lodges. Mid-mountain cafeteria-style meals at Alpenglow and Watson Shelter. Chic's Place upstairs at Watson Shelter is a cozy respite of white linen, broad menu. Sunday brunch at Atla Lodge is a write-home experience. Ditto the gourmet meals at the Aerie and Steak Pit restaurants, two of 12 restaurants and clubs in neighboring Snowbird.
