SAM Magazine—Eden, Utah, Sept. 6, 2023—Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings became the majority owner of Powder Mountain following a $100 million investment. Hastings acquired a minority stake in the ski area back in April.

The new investment will develop the qualities that make Powder special, with a focus on bolstering infrastructure and amenities to make the mountain more accessible without compromising its “uncrowded feel,” according to Hastings. (Powder caps daily ticket and season pass sales in winter.)

“This is an investment in what we consider to be the ultimate skier experience,” said Hastings. “My wife Patty and I love this place; we love the untracked powder several days after a storm cycle, we love the vastness of the terrain, and we love the community.”

The investment will fund a multi-year redevelopment. The plan includes several improvements slated for winter 2023-24:

• Beginner experience upgrades to the terrain and infrastructure around Sundown Lodge include replacing the Tiger Tow with a Sunkid carpet, regrading learning terrain, adding snowmaking (the first on the mountain), and replacing the ski school facility with a temporary structure that will also house rentals and retail.
• A new activity hub near the top of the Village chair, dubbed the Launch Pad Yurt, will provide access to a variety of winter activities, including new cross-country and snowshoeing trails, new MoonBike tours, snowmobile tours, and more.
• Five hundred acres of new, advanced sidecountry terrain called Don’t Mention It (DMI) will be accessible with a guide only and serviced by a shuttle.
• $19 night skiing lift tickets will be available to everyone, every night.

“We are excited to provide a greatly enhanced beginner experience for newcomers to skiing and riding,” said general manager Kevin Mitchell. “This, combined with our new Nordic and snowshoe trails for non-skiers and newly added guided expert terrain, truly provides a progression of uncrowded experience for everyone at Powder Mountain.”

Next summer, Powder Mountain also intends to add new lifts. Details are forthcoming. 

Powder Mountain boasts 8,400 skiable acres with an annual snowfall of more than 500 inches roughly one hour north of Salt Lake City International Airport.