The Last Gunners

For 75 years, the silent hours of deep, snowy mornings at Alta Ski Area were ruptured by the reverberation of heavy artillery echoing off the surrounding granite crags. Since 1949, weapons of war have been an invaluable tool in combating the ever-looming threat of destructive avalanches in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Drop into the story of Alta’s pioneering artillery program from infancy to its conclusion in 2023. These massive artillery pieces, recruited for a peaceful purpose, now face retirement as Alta presses ahead to the forefront of the latest technological advancements in avalanche mitigation. Concept/Producer: Lexi Dowdall Director/Editor: Tim Jones Special thanks: Alta Ski Area, Alta Ski Patrol, UDOT, University of Utah/Ski Archives, Utah State Historical Society, US Army, US Forest Service and Snowpine Lodge.