Eden, Utah – A lot of changes are happening this offseason at Utah’s Powder Mountain, but perhaps the most consequential one is happening on Lightning Ridge.
This offseason, Powder Mountain has been working on adding a new chairlift to Lightning Ridge. This Sky-Trac fixed-grip quad chairlift will give access to advanced and expert terrain, which was previously only accessible by hiking or from their cat-skiing network. It also connects the rest of PowMow to the Sundown base area. This is one of the four new chairlift projects happening at the Utah ski resort. Two are replacements (Timberline and Paradise), while the other is a new residents-only chairlift.
Last week, Powder Mountain provided a construction update on the Lightning Ridge project. Helicopter crews installed the lift towers and crossarms of the future lift. In addition, they poured the concrete for the terminals. Next up is the installation of the top and bottom terminals.
If you’re wondering about the yellow lift towers, it’s one of Powder Mountain’s new art installations. Artist EJ Hill has created a system of sculptural interventions and unique colorways for the Timberline and Lightning Ridge chairlifts.
Response to the new Lightning Ridge lift has been mixed. While some love that they’ll no longer need to hike up or take a snowcat to reach this terrain, others are bummed that it’ll get tracked out much quicker. This pushback may have been impacted by the announcement of paid parking during weekends and holidays, which has become the latest controversial change at Powder Mountain.
Lightning Ridge and the three other new chairlifts are scheduled to open during the 2024-25 season.
Image/Video Credits: Powder Mountain
