Powder Mountain expanding, adding over 1,000 acres of rideable terrain
EDEN, Utah (ABC4) — Powder Mountain is expanding next year, adding over 1,000 acres of rideable terrain at Wolf Canyon.
This major expansion will give access to “wide open bowls, prime glades, and expert chutes galore,” according to a press release — with a new lift serving 900 acres of ski terrain and another 147 acres of hike-to access, for a total of 1,047 acres of public advanced terrain.
Powder Mountain CEO Reed Hastings added that their commitment to keeping the mountain uncrowded has not changed, and that they plan on staying independent.
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“To refresh everyone, the previous business model was failing. While we’ve historically been uncrowded and inexpensive, we’ve been losing money, not upgrading lifts or lodges, and building up debt,” Hastings says. “The rise of Epic and Ikon have made the independent ski resort business very challenging, and we likely would have been acquired by one of the mega pass owners had we stayed on the old model.”
Last December, Hastings outlined the resort’s plan to stay “uncrowded and unspoiled.” Hastings now says they’ve made significant progress in keeping that commitment.
But he did wish to explain why they’ve opened season tickets to everyone.
“First, we will avoid crowding by limiting day ticket sales, expanding terrain and parking, and staying out of the Epic and Ikon passes. Second, season pass revenue is very helpful to us because it comes early and is weather-independent. Third, community members knowing they can buy a season pass if they wish avoids much anxiety about waitlists or getting excluded,” Hastings explained.
Well, now Hastings announces that they’re planning to construct a lift in Wolf Canyon, going up to Lightning Ridge.
“You’ll be able to ski DMI and some of the best expert and advanced terrain in Northern Utah,” Hastings says.
Guided adventure experiences are reportedly coming next winter, with Summer 2025 as the target for lift installation. Surveying and planning will start this summer, Hastings says, with specifics on construction timelines and exact routing of the lift to follow.
The Wolf Canyon expansion comes in addition to three other updates to the resort — upgrading Paradise, upgrading Timberline, and adding the new Lightning Ridge.
“And, for our homeowner community, we have contracted to buy the adjacent Davenport area on the back side of Raintree to expand the private terrain,” Hastings states.
Lastly, Hastings adds that limiting day ticket sales and not accepting mega passes continues to fulfill their promise of keeping the mountain uncrowded and independent.
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