Olympics
On Friday, April 12, Snowbasin Resort, Utah, proudly welcomed the International Olympic Committee (‘IOC’) as they evaluate plans for Salt Lake City to host its second Winter Olympic Games. Snowbasin was recently named the proposed venue for Alpine Skiing for 2034 Olympic and Paralympic competition in the Salt Lake City-Utah Preferred Host bid file. The visit included touring the resort’s renowned Downhill courses, John Paul Lodge, and lifts involved with competition – all built prior to the 2002 Winter Games.
“As the International Olympic Committee explores potential host locations for the 2034 Winter Games, we are honored to have welcomed them to Snowbasin today. This has been several years in the making and is a testament to the world-class facilities and incredible terrain that our resort offers. We have continued to invest in our resort and our venues remain in premium condition. We are ready, and our team is eager to showcase Snowbasin on the global stage once again.”
— Davy Ratchford, General Manager Snowbasin Resort
During the 2002 Winter Games, Snowbasin Resort hosted Downhill, Super-G, and combined races. The legendary courses designed by retired Swiss ski racer Bernhard Russi, who is a renowned designer of Olympic Downhill courses since his retirement, are still in place today offering bucket-list trails for visitors to experience. Dropping nearly 3,000 vertical feet across two miles, the Grizzly Downhill is regarded as the most difficult downhill in North America, earning the nickname “Kitzbühel of North America”. While the Wildflower Downhill drops 2,625 vertical feet and follows a similarly steep path. Snowbasin Resort is one of only three resorts in North America to offer start-to-finish skiing on a downhill Olympic trail.
Picabo Street and Chris Waddell, former Team USA Olympians in 2002, spoke to the committee about the excitement and challenge of the famed courses. Gold medalists in both men’s and women’s downhill competitions finished in just 99 seconds, reaching an average speed of up to 64.5mph. They were among the fastest performances in Olympic history.
Since the 2002 Winter Games, Snowbasin Resort has continued to invest in capital improvements. The resort recently added or upgraded five chairlifts, built multiple restaurants and improved infrastructure through snowmaking installations and renovations, parking expansion, and new restrooms. Featuring the most parking in the region, Snowbasin Resort has the capacity to host spectators again with the former site of the 22,500-seat stadium remaining protected and open.
