Resort Report – Winter 2019
With the 2019-20 Utah ski season just underway, it’s time to catch up on all the resort updates and get stoked to hit the slopes. From new eateries to expanded snowmaking, Utah’s ski resorts only get better with age. Find details on Utah resort holiday events at sportsguidemag.comAlta Ski Area
This season, Alta Ski Shop opens operations on the family-friendly Albion Base Area for easy rental access. In an effort to reduce canyon congestion, Alta is joining the R.I.D.E. app, which allows skiers to find and pair with those looking to carpool to Alta or Snowbird. The resort will again dedicate 25% of the Wildcat parking lot to carpoolers with 3+ per vehicle. Drive a Tesla? Charge up with the Wildcat base’s Electric Vehicle Charger.
Brian Head Resort
Brian Head is investing big in a new high-speed lift, new grooming equipment, snowmaking improvements, and upgrades to its rental shop ski and snowboard inventory. Navajo Express, the new high-speed detachable quad, replaces an old triple chair. Navajo Snow Tubing Park will be relocated and expanded for more slip-sliding fun. Plus, a magic carpet will replace a cable tow to quickly transport tubers to the top.
Brighton
Ski Milly sooner than ever this season with added snowmaking on the Canyon run near the Milly Base area. Using existing RFID technology, Brighton is also improving online sales and check out. Stay posted on all things Brighton with its new smartphone app.
Deer Valley Resort
Expect $7.6 million in improvements, including new RFID lift ticketing and scanning, digital signage, snowmaking and grooming enhancements, and upgrades to its transportation fleet. Digital signage showcases real-time updates on lift operations, ticket pricing and availability, and grooming conditions. Snowmaking upgrades include the purchase of low-energy guns, five new fan guns, replacing thousands of feet of snowmaking pipes, and purchasing four new Prinoth snowcats to expand grooming capacity. If you rent skis, look for new Rossignol rentals at the rental shop.
Park City Mountain
Park City’s is upgrading the Tombstone area of the mountain with a new permanent restaurant replacing the outdoor Tombstone BBQ. Enjoy heated indoor seating for up to 50 guests, indoor restrooms, draft beer bar, wood-fired BBQ pit, and a full kitchen serving classic fare. On a green note, environmentally friendly reusable service ware replaces disposable plates and cups. “Over and Out,” a new fixed-grip quad, will be installed at the base of Tombstone lift to transport guests down the mountain to the top of Sunrise lift. That’s right, you can skip downloading on the gondola and reach Canyons Village quicker than ever. With a goal to be zero waste by 2030, Park City is implementing a new food waste diversion program where organic material is sent to an anaerobic food digester to be converted in bio-based fertilizer and renewable natural gas.
Snowbasin Resort
Earl’s Lodge upgraded its servery area to improve guest flow and service speed while improving food, adding grab-and-go options, and upgrading food and beverage stations. On mountain, expect an enhanced intermediate experience off the John Paul lift thanks to added snowmaking. Plus, better accessibility at Wildcat lift by relocating the mountain medical clinic to the resort base relocating the mountain medical clinic to the resort base. NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski-racing program in the world, is returning to Snowbasin this season. NASTAR course operates Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the season starting December 13.
Snowbird
Snowbird harkens back to its roots with a new throwback-styled dining experience, SeventyOne at the Cliff Lodge, which features American grill favorites with ‘70s favorites, an open kitchen, retro vibe, and mountain views.
Solitude Mountain Resort
Waffle lovers rejoice! Solitude is opening a walk-up waffle window at the Moonbeam Center. Enjoy Liège-style waffles with toppings plus take-away snacks and drinks. Solitude’s also enhancing slope maintenance by adding a new Prinoth snowcat to its grooming fleet.
Woodward Park City
The nation’s first all-in-one action sports and ski resort opens in December for 365 days and nights a year of fun. From lift-accessed snowboarding, skiing, and tubing in the winter to biking and skating in the summer, Woodward Park City has something for everyone. Memberships start at just $100/month.
