From Local Ski Haven to Private Playground
By Susan Karr - 14 July 2026
When Reed Hastings took over Powder Mountain, my first thought was how grateful I was that the disrepute Vail Resorts didn't purchase the resort. At first, things seemed to be improving, especially with the local transportation and park -and -ride options as genuine thoughtful upgrades.
However, the introduction of art on the slope and closure of Mary's Lift, started to form a picture of an owner who was disconnected from the ski culture. Then in May, we received an email that for the 2027/2028 season, the Palma and access to that part of the mountain would be shut off to the public.
With the average skier at Powder being close to 50 years old, the new terrain at Lightning Ridge and the new DMI expert terrain expansion, feels like a huge disconnect between the skier and management. We were told that our culture of the local ski resort would be preserved and was valued. Now, it feels very distressing to know the average intermediate skier will be fighting for a spot on the 3 runs left at Hidden Lake (excluding the terrain park).
This isn't the "no crowds" it always has been. Let's face it, Timberline and Sundown really aren't interesting or long enough runs for a $1500 season pass. Once the runs are cut off that are accessible by the Palma, a large part of intermediate terrain will be gone, leaving the average skier lacking real challenges. And to think all of this is for the sake of privatizing the land. To many locals, it feels like the resort is being transformed into an exclusive playground for wealthy homeowners rather than a preserved haven for Utah skiers. And how does this affect our property values as a homeowner in Eden when the entire mountain becomes privatized? I believe a notice for the Weber Planning Commission is in order. Or at the least letters flooding the management of PowMow as we knew it.
Susan Karr,
Eden
By Susan Karr - 14 July 2026
When Reed Hastings took over Powder Mountain, my first thought was how grateful I was that the disrepute Vail Resorts didn't purchase the resort. At first, things seemed to be improving, especially with the local transportation and park -and -ride options as genuine thoughtful upgrades.
However, the introduction of art on the slope and closure of Mary's Lift, started to form a picture of an owner who was disconnected from the ski culture. Then in May, we received an email that for the 2027/2028 season, the Palma and access to that part of the mountain would be shut off to the public.
With the average skier at Powder being close to 50 years old, the new terrain at Lightning Ridge and the new DMI expert terrain expansion, feels like a huge disconnect between the skier and management. We were told that our culture of the local ski resort would be preserved and was valued. Now, it feels very distressing to know the average intermediate skier will be fighting for a spot on the 3 runs left at Hidden Lake (excluding the terrain park).
This isn't the "no crowds" it always has been. Let's face it, Timberline and Sundown really aren't interesting or long enough runs for a $1500 season pass. Once the runs are cut off that are accessible by the Palma, a large part of intermediate terrain will be gone, leaving the average skier lacking real challenges. And to think all of this is for the sake of privatizing the land. To many locals, it feels like the resort is being transformed into an exclusive playground for wealthy homeowners rather than a preserved haven for Utah skiers. And how does this affect our property values as a homeowner in Eden when the entire mountain becomes privatized? I believe a notice for the Weber Planning Commission is in order. Or at the least letters flooding the management of PowMow as we knew it.
Susan Karr,
Eden