Industry News
The transformation of one of America’s most unconventional ski areas is accelerating. Reed Hastings has announced an additional $157 million investment into Powder Haven, the private residential and members-only ski club embedded within Powder Mountain in Utah’s Ogden Valley. The funding will go toward new lift infrastructure, real estate development, and a large-scale clubhouse, marking the next phase of a project that has already reshaped the resort’s future.
- Related: ”Untracked Powder After 24 Hours” — Reed Hastings’ Vision for Private Skiing at Powder Mountain
The latest expansion includes two new chairlifts scheduled to open for the 2026–27 ski season, bringing the private lift network to six lifts serving more than 3,300 acres of exclusive terrain. The additions are designed to improve connectivity between advanced terrain zones and a planned village core, while also supporting new residential development. By comparison, the public side consists of more than 5,000 acres of skiable area and will increase by 20% with the addition of the DMI-terrain next season. Hastings installed three new lifts for the 2024-25 season on the public side and is installing another two new public lifts for 2026-27.
But back to the private side of the mountain, where two neighborhoods — Prado and The Chalets at Shelter Hill — will anchor that expansion. Prado, described as the project’s marquee offering, will feature large, forested homesites ranging from roughly one to 4.5 acres, with views over Pineview Reservoir and the Great Salt Lake. The Chalets at Shelter Hill will consist of eight ski-in/ski-out homes near a new lift terminal, offering a more turnkey option for buyers.
At the center of the long-term plan is “Arclodge,” a 73,000-square-foot clubhouse scheduled to open in 2028, intended to serve as the social and operational hub of the Powder Haven community.
From Experiment to Expansion
The announcement builds on a strategy Hastings set in motion after acquiring Powder Mountain in 2023, following years of stalled development under previous ownership. His approach — blending public skiing with a private, real-estate-backed model — has been one of the most closely watched experiments in the North American ski industry.
Under that model, about a third of the mountain and lift infrastructure have been reserved for residents and members, while revenue from land sales is reinvested into both private and public-facing improvements. Early phases included the rapid installation of new lifts and the opening of previously hard-to-access terrain, significantly expanding lift-served skiing at a resort long known for its reliance on hike-to and backcountry-style access.
The concept initially drew criticism from some longtime Powder Mountain skiers, who feared the loss of one of the last uncrowded, low-key ski experiences in the United States. But the strategy has also generated strong demand among buyers, with multimillion-dollar parcels selling quickly and helping to fund infrastructure upgrades across the mountain.
The latest announcement suggests that demand is continuing to grow. Powder Haven said its first neighborhood has already sold out, with the next phase of 34 lots being released to a waitlist of prospective buyers.
A Hybrid Model Takes Shape
Hastings has framed the project as a “public-private blended resort model,” combining the exclusivity of private ski access with the character of a long-established public mountain. Residents of Powder Haven have access to more than 3,000 acres of private terrain, in addition to the public side of the resort. The broader vision includes year-round recreation, arts programming through the Powder Art Foundation, and continued lift expansion to unlock terrain that was previously accessible only to expert backcountry users.
The new lifts — including the Foxtrot and Half Pint chairlifts — are expected to play a key role in that evolution, improving circulation within the private network while linking it more closely to future residential zones.
A Growing Trend in Skiing
The expansion reflects a wider shift in the ski industry, where high-end, real estate-driven models are increasingly being used to fund infrastructure and operations. Private clubs such as the Yellowstone Club in Montana have long demonstrated the viability of that approach, but Powder Mountain’s hybrid structure — maintaining significant public access alongside private development — is relatively rare. However, Hastings project differs in that the private side effectively subsidized the public side — a vision he believes is a win-win for everyone.
“We’re seeing tremendous momentum on the Powder Haven project, development is moving swiftly and there is a continuous, growing interest in the private ski category,” Reed Hastings shared in a press release. “Future community members are recognizing the opportunity to help shape this place from the ground up, and are drawn to the public / private blended resort model, which gives them private ski access with the charm and character of a beloved 50+ year old resort. It’s the best of both worlds.”
His supporters argue the model provides a sustainable way to invest in aging infrastructure while preserving access for the broader skiing public. Critics, however, continue to question whether it risks reshaping the cultural identity of historically accessible mountains. Nevertheless, when SnowBrains visited the resort in 2025 and 2026, it struck us how laid-back and unpretentious the atmosphere at Powder Mountain was. It is not trying to become another Aspen or Yellowstone — Powder Mountain is quietly happy being authentically itself. And the scale of investment suggests that investors feel the same way.
At a time where mega-passes and large conglomerates dominate the ski market, Powder Mountain is charting a different course under Hastings — one that could one day become a model for others to follow.
For more information on the sale on the private side or to schedule a site visit, contact sales@powderhaven.com or visit powderhaven.com.
