Industry News
Snow King Mountain Resort (SKMR) in Jackson, WY, is well underway on summer construction projects on Snow King Mountain. These projects include a new gondola to replace the Summit Lift, a new lift on the south side of the mountain, a new beginner teaching zone at the summit, snowmaking enhancements, a zip-line experience, relocation of the base of the Cougar lift, and a new access road/beginner ski route from the summit. SKMR is excited to share these new enhancements with you for the winter of 2022; however, for the summer of 2021, the mountain will be a construction zone.
Construction work for these projects is taking place at multiple locations within the ski area permit boundary over the course of this summer and fall. Trail users in the greater Snow King area can stay up to date on construction activities, trail closures, and trail re-routes online at www.snowkingmountain.com/mountain/constructions and by reading weekly construction updates posted on signage at the base of Snow King Mountain.
Due to safety concerns, Snow King Mountain resort generally recommends that hikers seek alternative trails for recreating this summer season in order to minimize hiker/biker traffic on the mountain. Construction work including tree felling, road construction, trenching, excavation for tower foundations, and snowmaking all have the potential for causing rockfall on the mountain. Contractors will be taking a number of steps to eliminate any potential rockfall on the mountain including temporarily closing trails, creating trenches and fencing, and posting spotters to alert hikers/bikers when necessary.
SKMR will make every effort to minimize the impacts of construction and leave trails open when possible. Trail users must be aware that they are traveling in a construction zone when on the mountain, and follow safety guidelines within the area. It is critical that trail users remain alert to their surroundings, stay out of fenced or signed construction areas, do not enter closed trails, observe trail signage, and avoid the use of earbuds so that you can hear any potential warnings. Work on the mountain will generally be occurring Monday – Saturday from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
It is anticipated that the Sink or Swim trail that crosses the mountain will be generally open for the duration of the construction work with only limited temporary closures. While this trail will remain open, it is critical that users recognize they are passing through a construction zone and be aware of any activities occurring above them on the face of the mountain. The hiking trail/access road to the summit and bootpack trails above the top of the Cougar lift is likely to be closed for a period of time at some point this summer to facilitate safe construction activities in the area.
SKMR summer activities on the east side of the mountain open for the summer season on Friday, May 28th, and will generally be unaffected by construction activities. Summer activities including the Cowboy Coaster, Alpine Slide, Treetop Adventure, Miniature Golf, Amaze N’ Maze, and bungee are open this summer during construction. The Summit lift has been removed for installation of a new gondola but the Rafferty lift is available for scenic lift rides during the summer 2021 operating season.
“We are so excited to share these new improvements with the community and our visitors this coming winter. For this summer, we hope our visitors and locals can help us get through the construction season safely by observing signage, closures, and safety guidelines when hiking or biking on the King.”
– President and General Manager of SKMR, Ryan Stanley
Snow King Mountain Resort (SKMR) is offering chairs from the Summit Lift for purchase online starting this Friday, May 28th at 10:00 am.
The Snow King Mountain Resort team has been receiving calls, emails, and texts the past few months asking about what is happening with the Summit Lift. The resort tried hard to find a new home for the entire ski lift at another small ski area so it could live on, but cannot wait any longer due to space constraints.
For those who want to own a piece of Snow King history, 100 of the chairs will be available for purchase online at a cost of $1500 per chair. Proceeds will go towards new improvements on the mountain this summer. The remainder of the chairs will be kept for donation to a public bench collaboration project so the history of the King can live on in Jackson. For anyone interested in other parts of the lift please contact info@snowkingmountain.com.
Chairs will go on sale online on Friday, May 28th at 10:00 am. You can purchase a chair by going to www.snowkingmountain.com and click on the buy now button in the upper right corner. Snow King Mountain staff will be available to help load chairs for pickup June 1 – 4th from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
