Utah ski resorts are heading into the 2026-27 season with a long list of upgrades, new lifts, expanded terrain, improved snowmaking, and operational changes. According to Ski Utah, quite a few resorts across the state spent the offseason preparing for another winter.
New Lifts and Terrain
Several of Utah’s biggest resorts are adding significant terrain and lift infrastructure this winter. Sundance Mountain Resort is debuting the Electric Horseman high-speed quad, which will provide access to 105 acres of new terrain near Bishop’s Bowl. The lift covers 1,850 vertical feet in roughly six minutes.
Deer Valley Resort is continuing its massive expansion with the new Hail Peak Express lift and another 200 acres of skiable terrain near East Village. The resort is also adding a family-friendly snow feature zone near Pioche Express.
At Powder Mountain, the new DMI lift will open access to more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain that previously required a boot pack or guided tour. A new high-speed quad will also replace the aging Sundown Lift.
Snowbird is replacing its Chickadee lift with a new four-seat chair while expanding the surrounding learning terrain. Alta, meanwhile, is opening a renovated Albion Day Lodge with new dining, gear storage, patio space, and fireside seating.
Snowmaking and Mountain Improvements
Snowmaking is another major focus heading into winter. Snowbird is installing 11 new automated snowmaking guns, while Solitude is expanding its fixed and mobile snowmaking systems.
Brian Head is also preparing for a potentially snowy winter by improving snowmaking capabilities on Navajo Mountain. The improvements are particularly notable as Utah heads into a winter that could be influenced by a strong El Niño pattern.
Deer Valley is adding a new snowmaking reservoir designed to improve operations while allowing the resort to recapture 80 to 90 percent of the water used for snow production in the area.
Park City Mountain is replacing the Canyon Village Cabriolet with a new Skyway Gondola, providing a more comfortable connection between the village and parking structure. The resort has also rebuilt the foundation of its superpipe ahead of The Snow League competition in January.
Changes Across Northern and Southern Utah
Brighton is changing its night skiing schedule by adding Sunday night skiing while moving its weekly maintenance closure to Tuesday evening. Nordic Valley is introducing RFID passes to streamline access for families.
Elsewhere, Snowland Resort is continuing its comeback after reopening last season following more than four decades of closure. A new surface lift and dedicated tubing runs are planned.
Eagle Point will remain closed for the 2026-27 season following the devastating Cottonwood Fire, but cleanup at Canyonside Lodge is already complete. The resort says lift assessments and efforts to restore access and utilities are underway as the community begins the long recovery process.