Alta and Snowbird, UT, in Interlodge as Little Cottonwood Canyon Closed for Avalanche Mitigation

Snowbird and Alta went into Interlodge last night after the Utah Department of Transportation announced the overnight closure of Little Cottonwood Canyon due to avalanche mitigation.

Interlodge is where no one in the Alta nor Snowbird areas is allowed to go outside due to the very high risk of avalanches. Interlodge is rare, usually only happening once or twice per season.

https://twitter.com/UDOTcottonwoods/status/1628395363383246849

UDOT closed Little Cottonwood Canyon at 8 pm. Alta said Interlodge will begin at 9 pm, and there is no estimated time for reopening.

• Related: Alta Ski Area/Snowbird, UT Open Today After 60-Hour Interlodge Which Left Town Residents Trapped Indoors, Ski Areas Closed

The record Interlodge was 60 hours in February 2021.

With two inches an hour falling, the storm should see Snowbird, currently on 479″, surpass 500″ of snowfall for the season. Alta passed the 500″ mark last week.

Avalanche danger this morning is rated as considerable for the Salt Lake City mountains in all aspects and elevations. Natural and human-triggered avalanches will be very likely, forecasts the UAC. Traveling in and underneath steep wind-drifted terrain is not recommended today.