Ressurected Utah Ski Resort to Open This Winter with Free Tickets

Featured Image: Snowland Ski Area

Utah's first public ski area since 2019 is about to be open to the public, with free lift tickets. Snowland Ski Area is set to open this December, marking the first time in four decades that the property will be open to the public. It will be a tame launch, with larger plans in the near future.

Snowland is located in Sanpete Country, specifically in Farview Canyon. It's about an hour and a half drive south of Salt Lake City. It's no secret that Wasatch Mountain ski resorts have delt with astronomical crowding in recent years, so any growth to ease that tension will likely be met with open arms.

That said, Snowland is in no way a replacement to the steep and deep found at Snowbird, Solitude or Alta. Instead, the ski area is a family-oreinted hill that has its prioreties set on keeping costs low and welcoming all who want to get on skis. The ski area was originally founded in 1967, but closed just 13 years later in 1980. Since then, the former runs have been used by the community, with a local private school, Wasatch Academy, grooming the slopes for their students.

The school has come to an agreement with Snowland Foundation, the non-profit spearheading the revitalization, and will be allowing them to operate the hill, even donating a cabin on the land. Students at Wasatch Academy and Snow Community College will be able to use the resort during the week, while the public will have access Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Reopening ceremony of Snowland Ski Area, Utah

The majority of the projects funding comes from a $1 million grant from the Utah State Government's Devision of Outdoor Recreation. The non-profit has also recieved over $200,000 in donations, according to Snow Brains. This money will be put towards modernizing the ski area in future seasons.

For now, it seems like the small but mighty Snowland will be focused on addressing community needs and growing within the resorts means. If everything goes according to plan and mother nature cooperates, the resort will open in December of this year with two tow ropes and free lift tickets. Snowland Foundation plans to build a new lift, two yurts and more, with tickets expected to be around $20 by 2027.

Any grass roots skiing is good skiing, so we're pumped to see what Snowland can become over the net few seasons with community support!

And if you're thinking that cabin looks familiar, no, you're not crazy. It's worth watching Will Wesson's "RCFS" series for some context, and to see the creative ways that Snowland has been used over the years.