New Developments at Alta and Snowbird That’ll Make You Want to Ski Both
A changing of the guard is happening at two of Utah’s ski areas; Snowbird and Alta and with it come new developments. This is all good news for skiers.
The majority ownership of Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort has been sold, but it will remain family-owned and operated. Just under 30 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, skiers from around the globe are drawn to Snowbird’s fantastic bowls, chutes, and steeper-than-steep terrain.
At age 84, the rugged Texas oilman and longtime owner Dick Bass sold the majority interest to Ian Cumming because he can no longer tolerate the high altitude. The company reports that Bass will remain chairman of the board, and that the management team led by Bob Bonar will remain intact.
Even more interesting is that the new owner, Ian Cumming, is also co-owner of the Powdr Corp. which manages Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) and seven other resort properties in the West. Cumming insists that the agreement won’t involve Powdr Corp. The Cummings family had invested in Snowbird back in the 70s, owns a home there, and the family has been skiing there for decades.
What does this all mean for skiers? Bass said in a news release that he was pleased that the two families could collaborate on the resort’s future development, enabling them to provide greater benefits to guests with more rapid growth than in recent years. Cumming and Bass will continue with Snowbird’s planned renovations that include:
- A new restaurant and added skier services around the Aerial Tram terminal atop Hidden Peak
- A remodel of the Cliff Lodge into a Four Diamond hotel
- Future renovation of the Snowbird Center
- Additional biking trails to enhance off-season vacations
Meanwhile, the neighboring Alta Resort – just one mile and a 5 minute drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon – is also undergoing new developments that will improve skiing there. Alta is a favorite among expert skiers who love the mounds of pristine powder they receive and the pure alpine skiing experience.
The installation of new fiber optic cabling and a Distributed Antennae System in the canyon is underway. This will bring full-range wireless services and continuous voice service to Alta. Guests will now be able to post their selfies from one of the most awe-inspiring vantage points on the planet. Alta is also grooming their Corkscrew run in order to provide a top-to-bottom experience for intermediate skiers. The grooming will allow most of the Rustler cat-track to fill in by mid-winter, which will improve High Rustler skiing.
With so much happening at both resorts, it’ll be hard to decide which one to ski, but there are options that make it more affordable for those that would like to experience both mountains. One way to do this is with AltaSnowbird’s One Ticket Pass, which provide skiers access to both resorts’ terrain for one price ($105), and through a connection gate that separates the basins.
Another option that’ll help you try both is that Alta and Snowbird are offering The Mountain Collective Pass again this year. This pass allows frequent skiers access to multiple mountains for a flat rate. For $379, pass members receive two days of skiing, plus half-off all additional days and exclusive lodging discounts at each of six destinations: Snowbird/Alta, Aspen Snowmass, Whistler Blackcomb, Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe and Jackson Hole. This is a sweet deal for those who want to experience both the private and mega resorts. If you do, drop us a line and tell us about your trips!