The greatest snow
on earth should
belong to every Utahn.
Two problems, one solution
The top Utah day ticket has jumped from about $67 to $329 in twenty years. If it had only tracked inflation, it would sit near $121 today.
Deer Valley single-day peak ticket. Sources: Powder / SnowBrains / TownLift; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Since 1990, Utah skier visits are up 117% while the number of resorts grew just 7%. Many more people, almost no new places to ski.
Skier visits about 3.0M (1990) to 6.5M today; resorts about 14 to 15. Sources: Ski Utah; Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute; U.S. Census Bureau.
Why Now
The average age of a Utah skier rose from 40 (2017-18) to 48 (2024-25). The sport is aging out.
In 2002, Utahns saw themselves in the athletes, because they skied too. If nothing changes, 2034 showcases world-class skiing to a generation of Utahns who can no longer afford to take part.
The Proposal
A resident-first public ski area. Not another luxury resort, but a community mountain with real Wasatch terrain at prices Utah families can actually afford.
Every dollar goes to the mountain, not the frills.
Right-sized for Utah families.
Fixed-grip lifts, reliable and cost-effective.
A simple cafeteria at fair prices.
Built and priced for Utahns first.
Start small and grow as it proves out.
Pricing
| Ticket Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Day Ticket | $59 | $139 |
| Child (Under 12) | $30 | $30 |
| Season Pass (Unlimited) | $750 | $1,250 |
| School Program Rate | $15 / student | N/A |
These are current modeled rates and are purely hypothetical. See the financial model for more information.
Illustrative specs; the final site would follow a feasibility study.
A Proven Model. Not a Radical idea.
Publicly owned ski areas have run successfully for decades, and Utah already applies the same resident-first principle to golf and hunting.
- Multiple U.S. states run publicly owned ski areas the same way Utah runs public golf courses, with resident-first passes and below-market day tickets.
- They're justified by community access and regional impact, not standalone profit.
- Municipalities across Europe, Canada, Scandinavia, and Japan have run ski areas as public utilities for generations.
- If Austria, France, and Japan can do it, Utah, with the Greatest Snow on Earth and the 2034 Games, has every reason to lead.
In 2013, Utah became the first state to open an Office of Outdoor Recreation, and 24 states followed. A public ski area would put Utah at the forefront again.
The First Step
We are not asking Utah to build anything yet. The first step is funding an independent feasibility study to answer the real questions: where a public ski area could go, what it would cost, and how it would run. Securing that funding is what we are focused on now, and it is what your pledge of support helps make possible.
Frequently asked questions
About me
Hi there, I am a lifelong Utahn that was lucky enough to grow up riding at Snowbasin, and to spend every winter with friends and family enjoying the amazing terrain that Utah has to offer. I have a background in Finance and Economics, and have spent my career in finance/operations roles in both the Outdoors and Health and Fitness Industries. I also served for a couple of seasons as a volunteer ski patroller at Beaver Mountain, until the biggest change of my life occurred, I became a father.
Since becoming a father, I am determined to help my son grow up in a world where he has the same opportunities to enjoy winter sports that I had.
-Clint
Join the
effort.
We're applying for a grant through Utah's Outdoor Recreation Initiative to fund the feasibility study, the first real step toward a public ski area. The councils that award it need to see Utahns behind this. Add your name.