WEATHER

UPDATE: Interlodge lifted at Snowbird, Alta Ski Area; SR-210 reopens

Mar 24, 2023, 3:21 PM | Updated: 10:27 pm

UPDATE: The interlodge protocol has lifted at Snowbird and Alta Ski Area. State Route 210 has also reopened following avalanche mitigation work and slide debris clean up.

“I’ve never had this happen, where there is interlodge during the day, after we have already started skiing,” John Gordon said to KSL TV Friday afternoon. “Nobody expected that we would be in interlodge, otherwise, we probably wouldn’t have come up.”

Sisters Kathrine and Julia were surprised their ski day ended after only an hour on the slopes.

“We are visiting from California. We came out here to ski, but this wasn’t a good day to do so I guess,” Julia said.

For hours, patrons piled into buildings, grabbing a bite to eat and a seat where they could.

“There are some people sitting on the ground and like all up the stairs. It’s kind of sad for everyone,” Kathrine said.

The protocol lifted at approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday, but traffic was heavy getting out of Little Cottonwood Canyon, something the Utah Department of Transportation warned about.

Due to conditions in the area, the traction law was put into effect along state Route 210.

 

The roadway is expected to close again at 10 p.m. Friday for more avalanche mitigation work. The town of Alta will also go into interlodge again beginning at 11 p.m.

Our earlier story continues below.


SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — Two ski resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon are now under interlodge protocol due to active storms in the area.

The resorts impacted Friday afternoon are Snowbird and Alta Ski Area.

“All lifts are now on hold & everyone at Snowbird needs to make their way to a building, immediately. You cannot stay in your car,” read a 2:15 p.m. tweet from Snowbird.

Additional information from the resort’s website states: “An Interlodge event is when snow levels are so great and avalanche danger is so extreme that patrons and employees of Snowbird are confined to resort buildings while avalanche work is being done. During Interlodge, road access to Snowbird is shut down as well while UDOT performs avalanche work on it.”

Alta Ski Area also went into interlodge Friday, according to a 2:14 p.m. tweet from the resort.

A few hours later, an update was posted to social media from Alta’s Mayor. It read, in part, “A natural and serious avalanche cycle has occurred threatening SR210 and the Town of Alta.”

It added that more than 1,100 people were sheltered in base area facilities in Alta.

“Multiple agencies are working to make the situation safe and clear the highway,” the tweet stated.

State Route 210 is expected to reopen in Little Cottonwood Canyon at approximately 6:45 p.m. Friday, according to a tweet from the Utah Department of Transportation.

 

KSL 5 TV Live

Weather

Lighting storm in Salt Lake City. (Courtesy: Paige Higley)...

Michael Houck

Lightning storm causes power outage in Salt Lake City

Over a thousand Rocky Mountain Power customers are without power due to a passing lighting storm Sunday evening. 

14 days ago

Northern lights by trappers loop...

Michael Houck

Northern lights could return to Utah

The northern lights could be visible to northern Utahns Sunday night, according to weather experts.

21 days ago

A makeshift cannel leading to the Bear Lake. (KSLTV)...

Shelby Lofton and Michael Houck

Garden City digs channels to redirect snowmelt to Bear Lake

Several neighborhoods are under a state of emergency as Garden City families are working to redirect the water coming down the mountain.

25 days ago

Emigration Creek water levels close to the dinner. (KSLTV)...

Dan Rascon

Flood warning in effect for Emigration Creek as spring runoff raises water levels

Emigration Canyon is under flood watch as the waters in the creek are running very high and very fast Monday.

27 days ago

The homepage of the floodhazards.utah.gov website....

Michael Houck

Utah officials launch flood watch, resources website

Utah's Division of Emergency Management released its 2023 spring runoff and flooding website Monday.

27 days ago

(Utah Department of Transportation)...

Madison Swenson

Big and Little Cottonwood canyons facing closures due to avalanche hazard

Closures up Big and Little Cottonwood canyons are set to continue Tuesday due to avalanche concerns, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.

27 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Asian little girl playing arcade game on the computer machines at the shopping mall outlets...

Get Out Pass

Family Fun Activities in Utah You Have to Try This Summer

These family fun activities will entertain you all summer, so if you ever feel stuck in a rut wondering what to do, refer to this guide!

Woman IT specialist in elegant suit working on notebook computer in data center next to server rack...

Les Olson

Your Complete Guide to Outsourcing IT Services

This guide covers everything you need to know about the different benefits of outsourcing IT services to meet your small business needs.

diverse group of friends dance outside under string lights...

Lighting Design

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Read for the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting to help narrow the search for your home.

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

UPDATE: Interlodge lifted at Snowbird, Alta Ski Area; SR-210 reopens