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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley News Volume XXX Issue XIII September 15, 2023 New Powder Mountain Owner Reed Snowbasin Resort Announces Exciting Hastings Invests $100M Investments to Enhance Guest Experience Reed Hastings is now Advanced skiing or snowboarding abilities are the majority owner of required. Ahead of Upcoming Ski Season Powder Mountain following ing access options at the base of Strawberry a $100 million investment that signals a new era for the mountain resort known for its daily lift ticket caps and uncrowded visitor experience. The investment will have an immediate impact, with a portion of its funding for improvements that will expand skiable terrain, create a new nordic and snowshoe trail system, and support the progression of all levels, abilities, and ages on the mountain. “This is an investment in what we consider to be the ultimate skier experience,” said Hastings. “My wife Patty and I love this place; we love the untracked powder several days after a storm cycle, we love the vastness of the terrain, and we love the community. We’re looking to accentuate what has always made it special. We’ll do that by making it more easily accessible, by bolstering infrastructure and amenities, and by maintaining the uncrowded feel Powder Mountain is known for.” The multiyear process of realizing that vision has already begun, with a number of improvements that will greet visitors this winter. “We are excited to provide a greatly enhanced beginner experience for newcomers to skiing and riding,” said Kevin Mitchell, Powder Mountain general manager. “This combined with our new nordic and snowshoe trails for non-skiers and newly added guided expert terrain truly provides a progression of uncrowded experience for everyone at Powder Mountain.” While just the beginning of what’s coming, improvements for winter ‘23/24 include: • DMI Guided Backcountry Terrain: Powder Mountain will open access to 500 acres of some of the steepest terrain accessible from the mountain. Called DMI (Don’t Mention It), the newly opened terrain o昀昀ers incredible views of Ogden Valley and the Ogden Divide and 3000’ of vertical drop through tight chutes and open bowls. It’s steep, it’s technical, and it holds snow really well. Access to DMI is only via guided experience (for safety reasons). The adventure begins with a snowcat ride up Lightning Ridge followed by a short hike to the drop-in point. After descending 3000’ through DMI, a van shuttle ride will take guests back up. Each group will be accompanied by two guides and provided with all the necessary backcountry safety gear (avalanche beacon, probe, and shovel). • New Trails & Activity Center: A new cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trail network near the Village lift will o昀昀er guests additional ways to get onto the snow. A new on-trail warming hut will o昀昀er hot chocolate and a chance to shake o昀昀 the cold. A new activity hub, dubbed the Launch Pad Yurt, will open its doors for the first time this December near the top of the Village chair. The Launch Pad will serve as the jumping off point for a host of winter activities, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, moonbike tours, snowmobile tours, and more. New this year, guests will be able to take moonbike tours on Powder’s winter trail network. These 100% electric snow bikes are easy to ride, making for a great way to explore Powder’s seemingly endless terrain with the help of a guide. • Major upgrades to the beginner experience: With progression in mind, the instructional terrain and infrastructure at Sundown Lodge is set for major improvements. In addition, the Tiger Tow will be replaced with a new Sunkid “magic carpet” and will be open for night skiing. Sections of terrain will be regraded to be more conducive to progression and the beginner instruction experience. Also, Sundown will become the first area of the mountain with snowmaking infrastructure with a new system set for installation in the beginner area. The ski school facility at Sundown will be replaced with a new, more comfortable yet temporary structure. The facility will also house rental and retail operations until a more permanent plan is developed. More on that soon. • Lift Ticket Products: New this year $19 night skiing lift tickets will be available to everyone, every night. In the coming months, additional improvements, including new lifts set for installation in summer ’24, will continue Powder Mountain’s evolution. About Powder Mountain - With over 500 inches of annual snowfall and more than 8,400 skiable acreage, Powder Mountain sits on some of North America’s premier terrain an hour north of Salt Lake City International Airport. Daily caps on lift tickets and yearly caps on season passes preserve a uniquely uncrowded resort experience. A suite of cat-skiing options provides further opportunities for skiers and boarders to experience untouched snow throughout the winter. For more information, visit PowderMountain.com. Snowbasin Resort continues to showcase its commitment to enhancing its guest experience with the announcement of significant investments into this world-renowned mountain destination. Ahead of the 2023-2024 season, the resort will complete several projects, including the construction of a new high-speed chairlift, expanded parking, a new patio with additional dining capabilities and more improvements to its world-class amenities. “It’s rewarding to be a part of an organization that is so committed to investing in preserving and bettering this historic mountain playground for the enjoyment of many generations to come,” said Davy Ratchford, General Manager of Snowbasin. “The projects we are undertaking enhance our accessibility and every guest’s on-mountain experience. From their ride up the slopes, to the spot they choose to reflect on the day’s adventures – these improvements allow us to build towards our continued goal of providing a world-class experience for all who choose Snowbasin.” Snowbasin has continually invested in the property over its 80 years of operation to ensure an unparalleled guest experience at the family-owned resort. With this announcement, the lift upgrades alone bring the resort’s recent total up to a remarkable three lifts in four years. These and the additional projects outlined below will mark Snowbasin’s largest investment into the resort since the 1999 Olympic transformation of the property when they shaped the destination into the premier establishment it is today. Increased Parking - Snowbasin further solidifies its standing as the resort with the most parking in Utah with the news of 124 additional parking stalls coming to its Canyon Rim lot this summer. This addition is the second parking expansion Snowbasin has taken on in the past three years with available spaces spanning five lots. With free shuttle service from the lots to the slopes, Snowbasin aims to provide more accessibility than ever before. New Strawberry Patio - A new patio is coming to Snowbasin’s Strawberry side of the resort alongside the highly anticipated DeMoisy Express, providing more access to this popular area. Spanning from the northwest portion of Strawberry Lodge and encompassing over 5,000 sq. ft., this new patio will offer guests an additional spot to rest and refuel before returning to the slopes. The area will feature a heated cobblestone patio with over 180 seats and multiple dining options, increas- Gondola and DeMoisy Express. New Lift - The addition of DeMoisy Express was announced in December with the promise of doubling the uphill capacity to Snowbasin’s popular Strawberry side of the resort through the six-chair, highspeed installation. Construction of this new lift has commenced with top terminal development underway, cement work completed and tower placement right around the corner. This project is scheduled to be completed in December 2023. With this new addition, Snowbasin will lead into the upcoming winter season with 13 lifts. DeMoisy Express closely follows the recent upgrade of Middle Bowl Express in 2021 and Wildcat Handle Tow installation in 2020. Snowbasin’s lift system is recognized across the industry, most recently ranked No. 2 in 2022 by SKI Magazine. Additional Restrooms - More of Snowbasin’s reputable, award-winning bathrooms are headed to the resort. With an additional 14 ground-level stalls coming to the Grizzly Center, the resort aims to increase accessibility for guests year-round. The resort will maintain the high-quality design these amenities have been famed for within the construction, expected to be completed ahead of the coming winter season. To learn more about these exciting projects and to take advantage of pre-season pricing for your 2023-2024 season pass, visit snowbasin.com. Real-time updates will be shared online and through the resort’s social platforms. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter at @SnowbasinResort to stay informed. About Snowbasin Resort - Snowbasin Resort grants unmatched access to the highest quality terrain on Utah’s renowned Wasatch Front. Regularly top-rated by Ski Magazine for Accessibility, Snowbasin is located just 45 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport and one hour from Park City. Further recognized for its Service, On-Mountain Food, Lifts, and Grooming, the resort was a featured venue for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, hosting several alpine skiing events, including downhill, combined and super-G. Snowbasin prides itself on its loyal community of both local and international riders and skiers, and its status as one of the oldest continuously operated ski resorts in the nation. Snowbasin is part of the Grand America Hotels & Resorts family of hospitality properties. snowbasin. com | 801-620-1000 | @snowbasinresort | #snowbasin |