Powder Mountain's Growth: A Semi-Private Resort With Old School Goals

Lightning Fast Growth 😉

See what I did with "lightning"? — there is a new Lightning Ridge lift!

Eden, UT is home to the largest ski resort in the U.S., Powder Mountain. Ranked the 2024 #1 ski area by SKI Magazine, readers said, “Powder Mountain is a true throwback to how skiing used to be” — uncrowded slopes and no lift lines, where you can find powder even days after a storm. While some grumble about the parking situation and the slow lifts, the majority of skiers don’t want Powder Mountain to change a thing.

However, Powder Mountain has changed more in the last 18 months than it has in the last 10 years, under the direction of Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder, who acquired Powder Mountain as a passion project. With his “No Rules Rules” approach to the industry and his disruption to the corporate-bought, mega-pass resort model, the new public-private hybrid model balances public access with private investment, to fund infrastructure and unique improvements.

So while Powder Mountain is changing, and fast, it’s finding solutions to those complaints about slow lifts and the congested parking situation, and keeping the best parts of the mountain- the uncrowded, old-school feel.

New Lifts & Expanded Terrain For Both Public & Private Sides Of Powder Mountain

In the span of one season, four new lifts have been installed. On the public side, Timberline and Paradise have been upgraded to quads that increase uphill capacity and provide faster access to key areas of the mountain, and the new Lightning Ridge lift will open previously cat-only terrain.

On the private side, the Raintree lift—one of three private lifts—also opens previously cat-only terrain on the mountain’s eastern border for the Powder Haven homeowner’s community. Still, Powder Mountain continues the legacy of earning your turns. Regardless of private membership status, if you’re willing to skin up the mountain, you can ski any of the private terrain.

Additionally, 800 skiable acres on the backside of Sundown, with some of the best advanced terrain in Utah, will be accessible through guided tours this season, with plans for a future lift.

Powder Mountain Season Pass Changes

For years Powder Mountain limited season passes to preserve its unique atmosphere, and there were reportedly 5,000 people on a waiting list. The cap has been lifted, offering more locals and visitors access. With day passes averaging $229, Powder Mountain now aligns with other major U.S. resorts.

In a creative twist, Powder Mountain has announced new exclusive season pass holder benefits like pass-holder only weekends in February — this new offering preserves the uncrowded ski experience on the mountain’s best days.

Powder Haven Provides The Private Club Atmosphere

Inspired by the Yellowstone Club in Montana, Powder Mountain’s hybrid resort model incorporates the benefits of a private skiing club — offering 3,000 private skiable acres, as well as the 5,000 public skiable acres, for only 600 homes. With approximately 450 private lots left and prices starting at $2M, resale values are already climbing, marking this as a high-demand offering.

Improved Parking And Transit To Powder Mountain

This season, parking has expanded with an added lot near Hidden Lake, providing about 200 extra parking spaces. The new $12 weekend and holiday parking fee will help reduce crowding and will be waived for vehicles with three or more passengers, encouraging skiers to carpool and minimize environmental impact. To further reduce traffic, Powder Mountain will now operate buses from Eden, keeping the mountain’s community-focused atmosphere intact.

Land Art Meets Powder Mountain

Powder Mountain is embracing its potential as a year-round art destination, as possibly one of the biggest land art investments ever. Powder’s vision is to “deeply embed the artwork into the land”, according to art curator Matthew Thompson, who is serving as the director of the mountain’s arts programs. The mountain has acquired a James Turrell "light space" that was originally shown at the 2011 Venice Biennale and will be installed as one of the mountain’s first permanent land artworks. Plans are in motion to launch an art park by 2026. Artists offering creations for the park’s grand opening include Nancy Holt, Jenny Holzer, and Paul McCarthy.

In With The New, In With The Old

With Hastings at the helm, Powder Mountain is a retreat for skiers who appreciate a different pace, looking for something a little bigger, and a little slower. Maybe you’re not here just to do laps all day, but to slow down and really enjoy your surroundings. The experience itself is the goal, and the commitment to the mountain’s true character remains — public access, an uncrowded feel, and powder for days.

Here’s to the new Powder Mountain. Now, let’s pray for snow!