After two years of planning and multiple agencies working together, Utah’s Powder Mountain is proud to announce their new avalanche mitigation infrastructure for this zone within DMI is in its final stages of construction.
“A huge shout out to Alpine Mountain Construction and Air Resources for installing three Wyssen Towers (RACs, Remote Avalanche Control systems) and a bomb tram tower for us!”
Powder chose the Wyssen Avalanche Control system which is designed to trigger avalanches proactively with remote-controlled blasting. To trigger an avalanche, a coded command is sent from the control center to the control system of the deployment box to initiate blasting.
When the explosive charge is dropped two igniters are pulled and the explosion is set off after a timed delay. The charge hangs from a cord about 7-10 ft above the snow and the cord is dropped after blasting. To reload explosive charges the deployment box is lifted from the tower by helicopter and taken to a secure area.
The addition of the Wyssen Towers is one of the final touches on the new DMI Lift zone which will unlock 1,000+ acres and 2,200 feet of vertical at Powder Mountain, previously available only through a guided backcountry tour. The steep, technical terrain is located in the Wolf Creek Canyon zone. DMI is among the steepest lifts Skytrac has constructed, turning this extreme terrain into a lift-accessible area. The new zone will feature open glades, chutes, and steep lines catering towards expert level skiers. The DMI Lift is expected to start spinning for the 2026/27 season.
