Avalanche closes SR-210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon, interlodge orders in place
Mar 18, 2025, 5:43 PM | Updated: 8:22 pm
The aftermath of an avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon on March 18, 2025. (Utah Department of Transporation)
(Utah Department of Transporation)
ALTA, Utah — Following an avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta said SR-210 has been reopened to downhill traffic only. Snowbird has also lifted its interlodge.
This is a breaking news update. KSL NewsRadio’s earlier story follows:
An avalanche in Little Cottonwood Canyon has closed SR-210. Anyone who was on the road has been directed to return to ski area parking lots.
AVALANCHE SR-210 Closed; if on road, return to parking lots and follow directions from UDOT and law enforcement.
— Alta Central (@AltaCentral) March 18, 2025
According to the Utah Department of Transportation Cottonwood Canyons account on X, there is no estimated reopening time for the road.
Connor Giles, a spokesman for Snowbird, said the avalanche happened between Alta and Snowbird, the two ski resorts in the canyon. Two vehicles were caught.
UDOT is currently on the scene working to clean up.
Following the posts from Alta and UDOT, Snowbird said the resort village is in interlodge. Later, those in Alta’s Hellgate area were placed under the same order.
Cars covered in snow shortly before an avalanche closed SR-210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon, forcing Snowbird into interlodge. (Joe Avery)
What is interlodge?
When a ski resort goes into interlodge, it restricts travel outside of buildings. Everyone is required to go inside a building and can not leave until the order is lifted. Furthermore, people are prohibited from waiting in their cars.
These shelter-in-place orders are called when avalanche danger is extremely high. They can last from mere hours or days. Notably, a 2021 interlodge at Alta lasted for 60 hours.
According to Alta Ski Area, disobeying interlodge orders can result in a Class B Misdemeanor, punishable with a $1,000 fine and 6 months in jail. Snowbird’s website echoed the statement.
80% of the buildings in the Town of Alta sit within avalanche slide paths.
This story is breaking and may be updated.
