Snowbird, UT’s Possible Expansions Causes Controversy Among Residents

Keenan Grady |
Snowbird and Alta from the air.
Snowbird and Alta from the air.

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort wants to add two new lifts and potentially even a zipline in American Fork Canyon- land they already own; however residents are not so quick to agree with this expansion mentality.  Many long-time residents lined up to voice complaints about the expansion.  Most of them relating to water quality, natural preservation, and the distaste for further construction.  Also there is concern  because this proposed area was an old mine with many heavy minerals that if disturbed could seriously threaten the health of locals via the water supply.

snowbird expansion
the proposed expansion area into Mary Ellen Gulch
the proposed expansion area into Mary Ellen Gulch
Photo showing where the tram is proposed to sit.

 

the proposed expansion area into Mary Ellen Gulch
Another map showing the proposed expansion area into Mary Ellen Gulch

This would be the first infrastructure improvements that Snowbird has made since the 2005 upgrade of the Mineral Basin Tunnel.  The list of ideas also includes multiple warming huts, a tram, redirecting a lift to make it more efficient and in less harms way of avalanche danger, expanding the lower section of the Mineral Basin lift, and adding the Mary Ellen lift in the next basin over (skiers right of the bookends).

snowbirdPOWTURN
Skier getting some powder in Mineral Basin

While this may seem like a good idea for the resort and a way to compete against Vail Resorts, it is a double-edged sword.  Many locals fear that this will be the undoing of Snowbird.  It will turn in into Park City.  A resort full of mega-mansions, roads, culverts, and ski cuts- which takes away from the natural beauty of the area.  It may bring more business, but more business means more people.  More people means more infrastructure and housing; and with a limited amount of space in Little Cottonwood Canyon- there would certainly be quite the environmental repercussions.

This is exactly what Snowbird locals are trying to avoid. Photo of Park City, Utah
This is exactly what Snowbird locals are trying to avoid. Photo of Park City, Utah

This proposed development is a sore subject and it appears that there is no way that locals will let it fly.

"Pointing out Snowbird's 23,000 square foot "warming hut" on top of the now Not So Hidden Peak. You can see this structure from almost everywhere in the Wasatch, but what you can't see is the Utah County line that allowed them to squeak it in. Hopefully this is not the beginning of Snowbird's march into American Fork." - Andrew McLean on January 5th, 2016
“Pointing out Snowbird’s 23,000 square foot “warming hut” on top of the now Not So Hidden Peak. You can see this structure from almost everywhere in the Wasatch, but what you can’t see is the Utah County line that allowed them to squeak it in. Hopefully this is not the beginning of Snowbird’s march into American Fork.” – Andrew McLean on January 5th, 2016
Posted by Keenan Grady |

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