Resort Report: Powder Mountain, Utah

Beyond the well known resorts that sit just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah lies a hidden valley of tranquility reminiscent of a time long past. North of SLC is the historic city of Ogden, and just up the Ogden Canyon east of town lies Pineview Reservoir, a small, man-made body of water that is popular for not only ice fishing in the winter and various summer water sports, but for the small towns and mountain resorts that surround it. Huntsville boasts the oldest saloon in Utah, The Shooting Star, built in 1865 as a trading post and converted into a bar in 1879. On the north side of the reservoir, the small community of Eden grew from one log cabin built in 1857 and got its name from a government surveyor who thought the area was one of the most beautiful sites he had every surveyed and suggested the biblical name. These antique places are the gateways to two lesser-known mountains in Utah that have all the snow of the Cottonwood Canyon resorts without any of the people. Snowbasin Resort and the even more secluded, Powder Mountain.



After having heard about the curiously named Powder Mountain for years, I’ve always wanted to visit. Well, Powder Mountain certainly lives up to its namesake. With over 7,000 acres of “mind-blowing” powder, the resort is laid out like a powder hound’s dream. Instead of arriving at the bottom of a mountain and taking chairlifts to the top, at Powder Mountain you arrive essentially at the top of the resort and ride down to the lifts below. Its widespread terrain is minimally groomed and features a varied mix of mellow glades, challenging tree runs, steeper, exposed alpine chutes and even a full snowboard park. With so much to choose from, any level of rider is sure to find something that suits their needs.



Photo: Heather Hendricks.

Perhaps the best part about Powder Mountain is the Lighting Ridge snowcat service, which allows access to over 700 acres of “pristine powder snow” with a 2100’ vertical drop. Instead of having to commit to an entire day of snowcat riding (and the expensive cost that usually goes with it), skiers and riders can opt for a single ride up the ridge for just $18! It’s a great option for riders looking to get some fresh turns in a pure, un-groomed backcountry setting, and the long run off the backside of the ridge that leads back to the resort makes for a worthy adventure. Of course, the $18 fee is in addition to your regular full-priced daily lift ticket, but at only $60, it’s still one of the more affordable options when it comes to resort riding.



While it may lack the modern trams, massive size and notoriety of the other Utah resorts, another thing Powder Mountain lacks are the crowds. Hit the resort up on a weekday, and it will feel like your own private powder paradise. For more information on lift tickets, snowcat tour options and directions to the resort, check out powdermountain.com.





Photo: Heather Hendricks.




Words and photos: Larry Nuñez except where noted.