Alta's Rustler Lodge♡

Excellent Service and Perfect Powder

10.0

Alta's Rustler Lodge looks like an old ski lodge from a bygone era, but it has all the luxurious modern amenities that one could hope for. The high quality service begins upon arrival when a nice young man takes your ski bag off the shuttle van, unpacks your skis into your personal ski locker, and then folds the bag and brings it to your room. Personalized, friendly service is the Rustler's hallmark. I write "nice young man" because most of the Rustler's staff look like they are using their hours off to do some powder-busting of their own. We are all skiers in paradise together! The rooms are very comfortable. They are built for skiers with plenty of pegs in the wall for your snow-covered outerwear to dry. The acoustic insulation is excellent; I never heard my neighbors. I liked that my room had a full bath and then another sink outside the bathroom which made it easier to share the room with several people. The rooms are thoroughly cleaned every day, and there is turndown service at night with an additional tidy up. Pro tip: I like to be on the fourth or fifth floor, close to the lobby and dining room. The dining room is amazing! I love the buffet breakfast. I prefer the healthy oatmeal and berries buffet. My brother always goes for the other buffet that has a rotating selection of eggs, pancakes, bacon, sweet rolls, etc. My husband places a custom order at the omelet station. My granddaughter is allergic to milk and eggs, which can make breakfast a challenge. She pre-ordered her breakfast, and the chef brought out her allergen-free breakfast when we were seated. Pro tip: Communicate with the chef about allergies in advance. The Rustler was incredibly accommodating to her allergies at every meal without any fuss. Lunch at the Rustler is not included. The service is slow at lunchtime, so we usually prefer to eat on the mountain at Alf's. Pro tip: If you do come in for lunch, place your order first and then go back to your room to change clothes or whatever you came in to do. Apres ski at the Rustler IS included. It changes every day. My favorite is cheese fondue. The snacks are yummy, and the other guests are friendly as everyone lingers in the lobby area. Dinner at the Rustler is AMAZING! The waitstaff is young but well-trained. The food is hearty. The menu is varied, but not huge. There is always a beef option, a fish option and a vegetarian option. The dinner is included, and you will never want to leave to explore other restaurants. We can easily stay for a week or two and never tire of the cuisine. The chef handled my granddaughter's allergies with delicious entrees and sides every night. Pro tip: Call The Rustler a few weeks before you go to make reservations for your first three dinners. The spa amenities at the Rustler are top notch. There is a full gym, outdoor pool, and two hottubs. There are also steam and sauna rooms. I really enjoyed a deep tissue massage after a few days of skiing. Pro tip: Call The Rustler a month ahead of time to reserve your massage. I like the 4:30 or 5:00 timeslot so that I am not rushing off the mountain, but I have enough time afterward to freshen up for dinner. I love The Rustler and have been vacationing there with my extended family for over twenty years! We sometimes research other mountains and lodges, but always come back to the Rustler for the excellent service, delicious food, soft dry powder, and easy access to the airport. I heartily recommend it for your next vacation!

Rustler is the BEST. Year after year.

10.0

If you’re looking for gold-plated faucets and marble lobbies, glitzy clientel in fur coats go elsewhere. But if you want a place that captures the soul of Alta, the Rustler is it. We are a family of four with two teenage boys, and have been staying at the Rustler on and off for six years during Spring Breaks and long weekends. And we will come back again and again for as long as we can. It starts with the people: The "Rustler Magic" begins with the staff. Every single person is kind, warm, and genuinely invested in your stay. Whether they are bantering about the day’s snow conditions, creatively solving a problem, or helping us track down a helmet we realized was left in a locker after we flew home, they treat you like family and are creative problem solvers that truly care. The food is so so good: My family literally dreams about the breakfasts here. The omelet bar is legendary, the homemade granola is epic, and the fresh-baked goods are the perfect fuel for a big day. Dinners are equally impressive - healthy, delicious, and perfectly portioned. It's EASY: The convenience is unbeatable. Being ski-in/ski-out with an on-site rental shop and easy lockers takes the stress out of the morning gear-up. It makes getting onto the slopes a total snap. Après Scene: After the lifts close, the vibe is perfection. There an awesome bar/lounge which is the he best spot for a work call by day or a glass of wine by the fire at night. My boys always race to to snag the scrumptious treats in the lobby (we missed the chocolate strawberries one day, but the rest of the week made up for it!). The spa is fab. The heated pool and hot tub are iconic. This year got really into the eucalyptus steam room and make a little "circuit" of steam room -> pool -> sauna -> snow roll (DIY cold plung) -> and pool. Very friendly vibe. Back up in the lobby there are tons of tables and games. We have epic Banangrams battles. One time the boys organized a poker night with kids from another family we met. There is game room upstairs where we've also had some good times - pool, ping pong and video games that the boys like. Again - not fancy - but exactly what you need. What makes us return year after year is the low-key, "all about the skiing" atmosphere. It’s a place where families are everywhere, the mountain views are breathtaking, and you can wear your slippers to dinner without a second thought. Thank you Rustler!

Home Away From Home

10.0

After a two-year hiatus from visiting the Rustler Lodge due to health issues, my wife and I, family, and friends, returned for a visit this week. We couldn’t be more pleased with the warm welcome, and gracious hospitality. The facility ticks a lot of boxes: ski in / ski out, spa, on-site ski shop, etc. It has an upscale lodge feel, without being fussy. It is the staff, however, which make the Rustler a stand-out. Every individual we’ve had an interaction with check-in, dining room, bar, housekeeping, and management, has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to service and a friendly attitude. They make it very easy to settle in, and slip into vacation mode, so that you can relax and enjoy your time at this very special place. Our heart-felt thanks to the team.

The Best Lodge in Utah

10.0

We just spent a week at the Rustler Lodge in Alta Utah. We have been there several times and this time met all expectations. The room was bright and clean with a beautiful view. It was perfectly quiet in spite of being located near the ski lockers and ski shop. The food was excellent and the service was prompt and extremely friendly. The staff was happy to chat with us and tell us where they were from so we could establish a rapport with them. The outdoor swimming pool offers a beautiful view of the High Rustler run. It is fun to watch ski patrollers make their way down at the end of the day from the warmth of the pool or adjacent hot tub. We look forward to returning next year!

Ski ski out casual elegance at the base of Alta

10.0

Literally the best. Down to earth elegance with every touch thought of at the base of one of the best ski mountains in the world, ski in and ski out. From the great staff, to the delicious food, to the top notch ski and rental shop, to the views and to the best hotel manager I have ever interacted with (shout out to Kate!), the Rustler will grab you and never let go.

Classic ski resort to make long lasting memories….

10.0

This was my 4th stay at The Rustler. I highly recommend it for a memorable and perfect ski in/ski out vacation. The staff is friendly, professional, detail oriented and helpful. Breakfast is wonderful which many options. The dinner menu always has many options to choose from. You will not go hungry while at The Rustler! The ski shop downstairs is convenient and the staff really know their ski equipment—-they also are helpful in adjusting the fit of your ski boots. If you want a “dream ski vacation” at Alta, the Rustler provides it, along with the challenging skiing at this wonderful classic ski mountain.