Throughout the Old Testament, mountains have time and again been portrayed as places where God and humanity meet – a geographical reality representing the boundless love that God has for His children and His sincere desire to connect with them. As society has developed, this significance has been lost through the shift from Christendom to the Apostolic Age and the secular pastimes that now take precedence over the historical truths of our faith. Because mountains are now places where people congregate to ski, snowboard and hike, many ultimately lose sight of the opportunity to find God through His creation. The people of Alta, Utah, however, have found a way to combat this growing problem and bring Christ to the world of skiing in a quiet but beautiful way.
Driving up the Little Cottonwood Canyon, the only access to Alta and Snowbird Ski Areas outside of Salt Lake City, one cannot miss the massive mountains that loom on both sides of the road and the extravagant resorts that eventually come into view. The often-forgotten attraction, however, is the tiny Our Lady of the Snows Church built into the side of the mountain. Often surrounded by fresh snow, the one-room parish is easy to miss altogether, especially in light of the bigger and more attractive ski shops, restaurants and lodges. Our Lady of the Snows, however, provides a way for people to attend Catholic Mass during the ski and board season without having to drive back into the city. With the canyon road being frequently closed for avalanche control, it also prevents missing Mass due to the constant extreme weather.
This Palm Sunday – March 24, 2024 – was an especially important day in the history of this parish, due to the 1983 avalanche that completely covered the original wooden A-Frame Chapel. Considering it was the 30th anniversary of the destruction, the Most Reverend Bishop Oscar A. Scolis made his way to the church to say Palm Sunday Mass for the people of Alta. The morning had been fairly snowy, and with the canyon being closed for a few hours in the middle of the day, everyone was wondering whether His Excellency would be able to make it up the mountain. Families, still in ski attire, gathered to help prepare the Chapel for Mass, and, finally, ten minutes before 5:00 PM, the Bishop arrived and greeted the congregation.
For me, seeing this community of barely 30 people was an eye-opening privilege, because I am used to attending Mass with many other families. Kneeling on the ground wet with tracked-in snow as the sun set over the white-capped mountains, I could truly feel God’s presence in a new way. Bishop Scolis, with the help of Alta’s pastor Fr. John Norman, read the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Hearing those words “It is finished” and watching others around me bow silently to give honor and respect to this pillar of our faith, I could see the true significance mountains hold, even today, after the Age of Revelation has long since been completed. Every encounter with God on a mountain, from Abraham to Moses and beyond, led up to this moment: when God’s only son, Jesus Christ, would humble himself to share in our humanity and suffer and die on the cross to set us free from the chains of slavery which we had been held fast in by our sin.
Experiencing not only the breathtaking geography but also the faith of the people of Alta – a faith that unites us all from coast to coast, whether in a mountain or valley – was truly life-changing. God was truly present on the mountain that day, and the graces received by me and others were immense and undeserved. I could feel God speaking to me through the beauty of the mountains, saying that this is the truth, Jesus died for me. He died for you. He was scourged, stripped of life and dignity and He did it for all of us, for we are His children and He loves every single one of us in a way that is encompassed in this moment – this moment when our sins are forgiven and finally the Lord is risen – Hallelujah!
By Abby Biggins ‘27, Contributing Writer
