Grassroots Effort Underway to Bring New Public Ski Area to Utah in the Northern Wasatch

Utah is known for having some of the best snow in the world, but skiing in the state has become increasingly expensive and crowded. Now, a group called the Utah Public Ski Area Coalition (UPSAC) is proposing a new solution: a publicly owned ski area designed specifically to make skiing more accessible to Utah families.

The coalition, which is in the process of forming a non-profit and is founded by lifelong Utah resident Clint Richins, is seeking support for the proposal. It says the first step is not building a ski resort, but funding an independent feasibility study to determine whether the idea is actually viable.

The UPSAC website already includes extensive research and financial analysis exploring whether the idea could actually work, including a financial plan.

The proposed ski area would be designed as a resident-first community mountain rather than a luxury destination resort.

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The Case for Another Ski Area in Utah

According to UPSAC, the cost of skiing at Utah’s most expensive resorts has increased dramatically over the past two decades, while at the same time becoming overly crowded. For example, Deer Valley’s peak single-day ticket has risen from roughly $67 in 2002 to as much as $329 today. If the price had simply kept pace with inflation, it would be around $121.

At the same time, Utah’s skier visits have grown much faster than the number of ski resorts.

• Utah skier visits have increased approximately 117% since 1990
• The number of ski resorts has increased only about 7% (although terrain expansions have happened)
• Skier visits have grown from roughly 3 million to 6.5 million
• The number of resorts has increased from 14 to 15

This has resulted in a sport that is becoming increasingly expensive while the supply of ski terrain has barely changed. It also points to the aging Utah ski population. The average age of a Utah skier reportedly increased from age 40 during the 2017-2018 season to 48 during the 2024-2025 season.

With Utah preparing to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, UPSAC believes the state has an opportunity to address the issue.

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But This Ski Area Would Be Different

The proposal calls for a modest, publicly owned ski area focused almost entirely on skiing and snowboarding. Rather than expensive restaurants, lodging, spas, and other resort amenities, the concept would prioritize affordable mountain access.

The proposed model includes:

• Fixed-grip lifts instead of expensive high-speed lifts
• Basic food and beverage facilities
• Resident first ticket and pass pricing
• A relatively modest mountain size
• Phased development
• A focus on families and local skiers

UPSAC’s current hypothetical pricing model calls for a $59 adult day ticket for Utah residents and a $139 ticket for non-residents. These and the following price examples would be hypothetical and would be subject to the results of a feasibility study.

Other modeled prices include:

• Utah resident adult season pass: $750
• Non-resident adult season pass: $1,250
• Child day ticket under 12: $30
• School program: $15 per student

The Northern Wasatch Range has been identified as the general area for the potential ski area, although no specific site has been selected.

Illustrative Phase 1 specifications include:

• Approximately 2,500 feet of vertical
• Base elevation around 7,200 feet
• Summit elevation around 9,700 feet
• Five fixed-grip quad chairlifts
• One magic carpet
• Approximately 30 to 35 miles from Salt Lake City
• No dependence on a major canyon access road

The Feasibility Study Comes First

The first step is seeking funding for an independent feasibility study that would answer some of the project’s biggest questions, including where a public ski area could realistically be located, how much construction and startup would cost, potential operating expenses, expected skier demand, water requirements, snowmaking needs, and how the ski area could be operated.

The study would also determine whether the mountain could eventually become financially self-sustaining. Startup funding could potentially come through existing state programs rather than new taxes, although that would ultimately depend on how the project is structured and what the feasibility study determines. The coalition is applying for a grant through Utah’s Outdoor Recreation Initiative to fund the feasibility study.

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The idea of government-owned skiing is not unprecedented. Publicly owned ski areas operate in several U.S. states, while municipalities and other public entities operate ski areas throughout Europe, Canada, Scandinavia, and Japan.

Utah already uses a resident-first approach for some public recreation opportunities, including golf and hunting, and there is a belief skiing could follow a similar model. Utah was also the first state to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2013, a move that was later followed by numerous other states.

Utah has some of the best snow and ski terrain in the world, but access to it is becoming increasingly expensive for many residents. A publicly funded ski area could offer another option, putting affordability and local families ahead of luxury amenities. However, before Utah builds another ski area, it first needs to determine whether the idea is practical and financially sustainable. The proposed independent feasibility study would be the first step toward answering those questions and determining whether Utah’s next ski area could truly be built for Utahns.

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