The ride: This fixed-grip two-seater serves as a link between Alta's embrace of new technology and its reputation for being unpretentious. It also serves an area of the mountain that can be spectacular on powder days, with opportunities for deep snow on the wide-open slopes under the lift or in the trees heading to Westward Ho. And in true Alta fashion, it features a lengthy traverse that can be tricky in places. While there is an easy way down, most terrain off Wildcat is not suited to beginners. The current lift was built in 1980. New chairs were installed in 2004.

Runs to try:

* Aggie's Alley: A wide cat track swoops down into the central portion of Collins Gulch, a favorite of early intermediates.

* Johnson's Warm-up: Right below the lift, the treeless ridge line allows skiers to pick whatever downhill line they choose, steepness guaranteed.

* Punch Bowl: Like bumps? It bumps out quick.

* Westward Ho: Tucked along the resort boundary, it offers steep descents with some off-kilter fall lines, through deep snow protected by tight tree formations.

* Bear Paw: A great place for teenage hotshots to show off, on a steep, bumpy run right under the lift.

- Mike Gorrell

* Name of lift: Wildcat

* Vertical drop: 1,218 feet

* Number of runs: 8

* Difficulty rating: Mostly advanced, some intermediate

* Why try it: So many places to plunge downhill