Alta Ski Area, one of the world's premier ski resorts, is located in the Wasatch Mountains just east of Salt Lake City, Utah. Renowned for "The greatest snow on Earth," the skiable area consists of 2,200 acres (8.9 km²) beginning at a base elevation of 8,530 ft (2,600 m) and rising to 10,550 ft (3,216 m) for a vertical gain of 2,020 ft (616 m). Many skiers feel that Alta's culture and atmosphere of "old school" or "authentic" ski culture is the way skiing should be.