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Latest in Park City
Utah Ski Resorts 2026-27: What’s New at Alta, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain and More
Utah is still building flat out. For 2026-27, Powder Mountain opens a steep new Skytrac chair into more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, Deer Valley adds 200 acres on Hail Peak, Sundance gets a new quad and Park City adds a gondola from its new parking structure. Snowmaking is expanding almost everywhere, Eagle Point stays closed after the Cottonwood Fire, and the 2034 Games are setting the pace. Here’s what’s new, resort by resort.
Michael Fulton
Utah Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Brian Head First, Eagle Point Out
Brian Head is targeting 6 November, though last year it aimed for 7 November and did not open until the 25th. Park City, Alta and Solitude are pencilled in for 20 November, Snowbird and Snowbasin for 27 November, and Deer Valley for 5 December. Eagle Point will stay closed after the Cottonwood Fire. A super El Niño is forecast, but the big snow is not expected until January.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts Hires Defence Bankers as Billionaire Pushes to Buy Park City Mountain Resort
Vail Resorts has quietly engaged takeover-defence bankers to assess its vulnerabilities, as pressure builds from multiple directions - a rough winter, union tensions, and a persistent billionaire who wants to buy Park City Mountain Resort. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince has gone public with a $500 million offer and says activist investors are calling him. Vail's CEO isn't selling.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts Q3 Fiscal 2026: Bad Winter Out West Hits Revenue as Pass Sales Fall 10%
Vail Resorts has reported its Q3 fiscal 2026 results, and the numbers reflect what anyone skiing the Rockies this past winter already suspected - it was rough. Net income fell from $389.7M to $314.4M, visitation dropped 15%, and early pass sales for 2026/27 are down approximately 10%. The one bright spot? Epic Australia Pass sales are up 26% in units and 31% in revenue. Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham head into the southern hemisphere season with real momentum behind them.
Michael Fulton
Park City Mountain Resort Gets Approval for Eagle and Silverlode Chairlift Replacements
Park City Mountain Resort has received planning approval to replace two major chairlifts - Eagle and Silverlode - with higher-capacity alternatives likely to debut in the 2027-28 season. The approvals end a years-long process that saw an earlier approval appealed, the original lifts redirected to Whistler Blackcomb, and a fresh application filed.
Michael Fulton
Park City Extends Paid Parking to Canyons Village for 2026-27
Park City Mountain Resort is converting the previously free Cabriolet lot at Canyons Village to paid parking from the 2026-27 season. The US$29 daily charge represents another reduction in free parking options across Utah resorts, though several workarounds remain available.
Michael Fulton
Utah Billionaire Escalates Campaign Against Vail Resorts Ownership of Park City
Matthew Prince, Utah's wealthiest resident, has intensified his public criticism of Vail Resorts' management of Park City Mountain Resort. The Cloudflare CEO claims Vail's 10-year stock performance has been dismal and argues the company should sell off individual resorts. Vail says it's not selling.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts CEO Purchases $5 Million in Company Stock as Share Price Continues Multi-Year Decline
Rob Katz has purchased roughly $5 million in Vail Resorts stock as the company's share price sits at around a third of its 2021 peak. The purchase follows criticism of board members failing to buy stock and comes as the company battles reputation issues that may prove harder to fix than financial metrics.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts Introduces 20% Discount on Epic Pass for Under-30s
Vail Resorts has announced a 20% price reduction on Epic Pass products for skiers and riders aged 13-30, bringing the 2026-27 Epic Pass down to $869 and Epic Local Pass to $649. The move comes as the ski industry grapples with participation rates among younger demographics.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts Unveils 2025-26 Season Plans: New Lifts, Tech, and Pricing Strategies
Vail Resorts has announced opening dates and key developments for the 2025-26 ski season across its global portfolio. Notable changes include new lifts in Park City and Switzerland, expanded tech integration, and a revised friend ticket program aimed at boosting visitation.
Michael Fulton
Utah Ski Season 2024-25: Third-Busiest Year Despite Visitor Decline
Utah's ski resorts recorded their third-busiest season ever with 6.5 million visitors in 2024-25, but the 3.6% decline from the previous year highlights growing challenges. Weather patterns, the Park City strike, and economic pressures all contributed to the drop, even as the industry invests hundreds of millions in new infrastructure ahead of the 2034 Olympics.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts CEO Confirms Park City Mountain Not for Sale
Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz has firmly stated that Park City Mountain is not for sale, despite recent interest from a tech billionaire. This article explores the situation and its implications for the popular Utah ski resort.
Michael Fulton
Vail Resorts' Former CEO Kirsten Lynch Receives $2.2 Million Severance Package
Kirsten Lynch, former CEO of Vail Resorts, is set to receive a substantial severance package following her departure from the company. The package includes cash payments, equity awards, and health insurance benefits.
Michael Fulton
Rob Katz Returns as Vail Resorts CEO After Kirsten Lynch's Departure
Vail Resorts announces a significant leadership change as Rob Katz returns to the CEO position, replacing Kirsten Lynch who has stepped down after 14 years with the company.
Michael Fulton
Park City Mountain Resort: Local Tech CEO's Vision for Acquisition and Expansion
Matthew Prince, CEO of Cloudflare, has purchased Town Lift Plaza in Park City and expressed interest in acquiring Park City Mountain Resort from Vail Resorts, with plans for significant upgrades including a potential gondola connection to Alta.
Michael Fulton
Deer Valley's New Gondola Project Progresses
Deer Valley Resort in Utah is making significant progress on its new gondola project, part of a major expansion plan set to transform the ski area.
Michael Fulton
Deer Valley's Major Expansion Plans for 2025 and Beyond
Deer Valley Resort in Utah is undergoing significant changes, with new trails, lifts, and base area developments planned over the next several years. This article outlines the recent expansions and future projects that will transform the ski resort.
Michael Fulton
Epic Pass 2025/26: A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Skiers and Riders
Explore the various Epic Pass options for the 2025/26 season, including new resort access, pricing, and benefits for skiers and snowboarders looking to maximise their mountain time across multiple destinations.
Michael Fulton
Utah Ski Resort Closing Dates for 2024-25 Season
As the 2024-25 ski season winds down in Utah, find out when your favourite resorts are planning to close and make the most of the remaining snow days.
Michael Fulton
Park City-Deer Valley Gondola Connection: New Feasibility Study Planned
Park City officials are taking steps toward a potential aerial gondola system connecting the historic Main Street district with Deer Valley Resort. The City Council is considering hiring specialised consultants to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study, marking a significant move in the long-discussed transportation initiative.
Michael Fulton
Park City Ski Patrol Strike Hitting Vail Resorts Where It Hurts
The ongoing ski patrol strike at Park City Mountain Resort has created significant operational challenges for Vail Resorts during peak season. With patrollers demanding higher wages and only 50 of 350 trails initially open, this labor dispute highlights broader challenges facing one of North America's largest ski resort operators.
Michael Fulton
Park City Ski Patrol Strike Disrupts Operations at Vail's Largest Resort
The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association's strike has entered its fifth day, severely impacting operations at Park City Mountain Resort. With approximately 200 patrol members striking for better wages and benefits, Vail Resorts faces mounting pressure as limited terrain access and long lift lines frustrate guests.
Michael Fulton
Best Ski Resort In Utah For Beginners in 2025
Planning your first ski trip? Utah's resorts offer an unmatched experience for beginners, with terrain ranging from 13 gentle trails to a whopping 38 beginner-friendly runs across 1,975 acres. From Powder Mountain's uncrowded slopes to Park City's world-class instruction and Deer Valley's luxurious amenities, we've analyzed every resort to help you choose the perfect destination. Discover why Utah should top your list for learning to ski or snowboard.
Michael Fulton
Why Park City Is Amazing For Intermediate Riders!
We're going to tour the best intermediate terrain on both the Park City and Canyons sides of the resort, so strap yourself in — there's a LOT of terrain to explore! Remarkably, 41% of the 341 trails, that's 140 different trails, are graded blue for intermediates. That adds up to a whopping 105 kilometres or 65 miles of trails.
Michael Fulton
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Val Gardena to Alpe di Siusi Lift Link Back in Play After Court Ruling
The Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi lift link isn’t dead after all. A South Tyrol court has overturned Santa Cristina’s rejection of the new Monte Pana-Saltria link on procedural grounds, after the council skipped required public information sessions. Opponents want the missing sessions held and a fresh vote, and nothing has been approved. For now it’s still a bus between the two, but a plan first floated in 2017 is back in the conversation.
8 Nov 2026
Whistler Blackcomb Rockslide Zone Stays Closed Through 2026-27 Season
A section of Whistler Peak terrain will stay closed all 2026-27 season, Vail Resorts has confirmed, with rockslide mitigation work continuing into summer 2027. Peak Express is still expected to run this winter, but locals are already arguing about what’s actually off limits, whether the Whistler Bowl is gone, and why the news landed after pass sales wound down. Here’s where things stand.
7 Nov 2026
Loveland Ski Area Opens for 2026-27 and Marks 60 Years of Snowmaking
Loveland is open. The Colorado ski area started Chet’s Dream turning on Saturday 7 November to kick off 2026-27, with $60 adult lift tickets to mark 60 years of snowmaking. Expect three runs, nearly 1,000 vertical feet (about 300 metres) of top-to-bottom skiing, live music on the Basin Patio and no beginner terrain yet. Here’s what’s open, what it costs and when Loveland Valley follows.
7 Nov 2026
KFC Is Coming to the Slopes at Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio
Fried chicken is heading up the Dolomites. From 5 December KFC will run two restaurants on the slopes - one at 2,123 metres at Cortina, one at 1,700 metres at Madonna di Campiglio - and the polenta-and-canederli crowd has opinions. Local politicians, conservation groups and plenty of Facebook commenters are calling it a step too far, while others just want a cheaper lunch. Here’s what’s on the menu and what’s the fuss.
5 Nov 2026
Mt Rose Aims to Open First in Tahoe on November 6
Mt Rose is going for the first-in-Tahoe title, with the Lakeview Express due to spin at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 6. One main lift, three runs and plenty of snowmaking, sitting on the highest base elevation in the region at 8,260 ft. Here is what is open, what is not (sorry, tubing fans), and how the early North American openings are stacking up.
4 Nov 2026
Europe Snow Forecast: Serre Chevalier Leads With 82 cm Over the Next 10 Days
Europe has had a quiet start to November, but our 10-day forecast has Serre Chevalier on 82 cm and Les 2 Alpes on 71 cm. Two pushes are lined up: a western Alps top-up from Friday, then a bigger, wider system on Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 that reaches Italy and Switzerland. Full leaderboard inside.
4 Nov 2026
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026