{"id":504,"date":"2025-08-12T00:08:22","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T00:08:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rustler.checkmatepro.com\/new\/?page_id=504"},"modified":"2025-11-18T19:03:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T19:03:30","slug":"lodge-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rustler.checkmatepro.com\/new\/about-us\/lodge-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Lodge History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Town of Alta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Long before people came to Alta in search of “the greatest snow on earth,” they came to mine silver. Alta’s first mining claim was staked in 1865 and by 1872 Alta had become a booming town of 8,000 residents. Due to economic problems, water in mines, expensive smelting and the demonetizations of silver, by 1880 the town was nearly deserted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1938, Alta Lift Company constructed the first Collins Ski Lift out of pieces of an unused mining tram and logs. George Watson, who predicted, “Alta will be reborn on skis,” donated the land to the U.S. Forest Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original Rustler Lodge was built by Howard Stillwell and Sverre Engen. Stillwell was born and raised in Alta in the late 1800’s. And Sverre Engen came over from Norway with his brother Alf, the World Champion alpine skier and ski jumper. Alf Engen later founded Alta’s Ski School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alta\u2019s Rustler Lodge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Rustler was built on the site where the Alta General Store once stood. The land was ideal, as it was the only “avalanche-free” hotel area in the Town of Alta (incorporated in 1970).
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