Snowbasin
Encyclopedia
Snowbasin Resort is located 33 miles (53.1 km) northeast of Salt Lake City, in Weber County, Utah
. Opened in 1939, as part of an effort by the city of Ogden, Utah
to restore the Wheeler Creek watershed, it is one of the oldest ski resort
s in the United States. Over the next 50 years Snowbasin grew slowly. After a large investment in lifts and snowmaking by current owner Earl Holding, Snowbasin hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic
alpine skiing
races for downhill, combined, and super-G.
Snowbasin is located on Mount Ogden
at the west end of State Route 226, which is connected to I-84 and SR-39 via SR-167 (New Trappers Loop Road).
and the Great Depression
numerous small ski resorts were developed in Utah's snow-packed mountains, and Weber County wanted one of their own. They decided to redevelop the area in and around Wheeler Basin, a deteriorated watershed area that had been overgrazed and subjected to aggressive timber-harvesting. Lands were restored and turned over to the U.S. Forest Service
, and by 1938 the Forest Service and Alf Engen
had committed to turning the area into a recreational site. In 1939 the first ski tow was built and in service at the new Snow Basin ski park. In 1940, the Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) crew built the first access road to the new resort, allowing easy access for the general public. Since that time, Snowbasin has continually grown to its present size.
passed the Snowbasin Land Exchange Act in 1996 as part of the Omnibus Lands Bill. The act transferred 1377 acres (557.3 ha) of National Forest System
lands near the resort to the private ownership of Snowbasin, and identified a set of projects that were necessary for the resort to host the Olympic events.
During the 2002 games
Snowbasin hosted the downhill, combined (downhill and slalom), and super-G events. The spectator viewing areas consisted of a stadium at the foot of the run, with two sections of snow terraces for standing along both sides of the run. The spectator capacity was 22,500 per event; 99.1 percent of tickets were sold, and 124,373 spectators were able to view events at the Snowbasin Olympic venue. During the 2002 Winter Paralympics
, Snowbasin hosted the Alpine Skiing events, including downhill, super-G, slalom, and giant slalom.
Weber County, Utah
Weber County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah, occupying a stretch of the Wasatch Front, part of the eastern shores of Great Salt Lake, and much of the rugged Wasatch Mountains. As of the 2000 census, the population was 196,533, an increase of 24.1% over its population in 1990. By...
. Opened in 1939, as part of an effort by the city of Ogden, Utah
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
to restore the Wheeler Creek watershed, it is one of the oldest ski resort
Ski resort
A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area - a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and supporting services such as hotels and other accommodation, restaurants, equipment rental and a ski lift system...
s in the United States. Over the next 50 years Snowbasin grew slowly. After a large investment in lifts and snowmaking by current owner Earl Holding, Snowbasin hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
alpine skiing
Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Alpine skiing at the 2002 Winter Olympics consisted of ten events held near Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. The downhill, Super G, and combined events were held at Snowbasin, the giant slalom at Park City, and the slalom at Deer Valley...
races for downhill, combined, and super-G.
Snowbasin is located on Mount Ogden
Mount Ogden
Mount Ogden is a peak in Weber County, Utah, in the northern Wasatch Range.Mount Ogden has an elevation of 9570 feet . The peak is popular with hikers, particularly in its three main canyons: Beus, Waterfall, and Taylor Canyons. The mountain’s east face has some good technical crack and face...
at the west end of State Route 226, which is connected to I-84 and SR-39 via SR-167 (New Trappers Loop Road).
History
Snowbasin is one of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the United States. Following the end of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
numerous small ski resorts were developed in Utah's snow-packed mountains, and Weber County wanted one of their own. They decided to redevelop the area in and around Wheeler Basin, a deteriorated watershed area that had been overgrazed and subjected to aggressive timber-harvesting. Lands were restored and turned over to the U.S. Forest Service
United States Forest Service
The United States Forest Service is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that administers the nation's 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands, which encompass...
, and by 1938 the Forest Service and Alf Engen
Alf Engen
Alf Engen was a Norwegian-American skier and skiing school owner/teacher. Alf Engen set several ski jumping world records during the 1930s.-Background:...
had committed to turning the area into a recreational site. In 1939 the first ski tow was built and in service at the new Snow Basin ski park. In 1940, the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
(CCC) crew built the first access road to the new resort, allowing easy access for the general public. Since that time, Snowbasin has continually grown to its present size.
2002 Winter Olympics & Paralympics
Because it was to serve as a Olympic venue site, the United States CongressUnited States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
passed the Snowbasin Land Exchange Act in 1996 as part of the Omnibus Lands Bill. The act transferred 1377 acres (557.3 ha) of National Forest System
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
lands near the resort to the private ownership of Snowbasin, and identified a set of projects that were necessary for the resort to host the Olympic events.
During the 2002 games
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
Snowbasin hosted the downhill, combined (downhill and slalom), and super-G events. The spectator viewing areas consisted of a stadium at the foot of the run, with two sections of snow terraces for standing along both sides of the run. The spectator capacity was 22,500 per event; 99.1 percent of tickets were sold, and 124,373 spectators were able to view events at the Snowbasin Olympic venue. During the 2002 Winter Paralympics
2002 Winter Paralympics
The 2002 Winter Paralympics, the eighth Winter Paralympics, were held in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, from March 7 to March 16, 2002. A total of 416 athletes from 36 nations participated....
, Snowbasin hosted the Alpine Skiing events, including downhill, super-G, slalom, and giant slalom.
Mountain information
- Top elevation: 9350 feet (2,849.9 m)
- Base elevation: 6391 feet (1,948 m)
- Vertical rise: 2950 feet (899.2 m)
- Average yearly snowfall: 400 inches (1,016 cm)
- Skiable area: 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha)
- Snowmaking area: 600 acres (242.8 ha)
Trails
- Total runs: 104
- Run ratings: 7 easier, 30 more difficult, 35 most difficult, 32 expert only
- Total Nordic trails: 5, approximately 16 miles (25.7 km)
- Nordic trail ratings: 3 easier, 1 more difficult, 1 most difficult
- Terrain parks: 3
- Terrain park ratings: The Crazy Kat (easier), Coyote (Intermediate), and Apex (Advanced) parks.
- Superpipe: 1
Lifts
- Total lifts: 11
- Chairlifts: 9
- 1 15-Person Tram (Made by Doppelmayr and installed in 1998)
- Mt. Allen Tram
- 2 Gondolas (high speed detachable, 8 person cabin configuration, made by Doppelmayr and installed in 1998)
- Strawberry Express
- Needles Express
- 2 Quad chairs (high speed detachable, made by Doppelmayr)
- John Paul Express (1998)
- Little Cat Express (Installed in 2008, replacing the 32 year old Little Cat, which was a 1976 Thiokol Double)
- 4 Fixed Grip Triple chairs
- Wildcat (1973 Thiokol Model) (Installed in 1973, replacing the classic Wildcat Single)
- Middle Bowl (1979 CTEC Model)
- Becker (1985 Albertsson-Stadeli)
- Porcupine (Porky) (1985 Albertsson-Stadeli)
- 1 15-Person Tram (Made by Doppelmayr and installed in 1998)
- Surface lifts: 2
- 1 Magic carpetMagic carpet (ski lift)A magic carpet is a type of surface lift installed at ski areas to transport skiers and snowboarders up the hill...
- 1 Hand rope surface tow (tubing hill)
- 1 Magic carpet
- Chairlifts: 9
Winter season
- Ski season dates: late-November to mid-April (conditions permitting)
- Operating hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily (some lifts close at 3:30 p.m. daily)
Summer season
- Summer season dates: Last Friday in June to last Sunday in September (conditions permitting)
- Operating hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays
- Total trails: 17, approximately 25 miles (40.2 km)
- Trail ratings: 4.5 easy, 6.5 moderate, 3 difficult, 3 hike only
External links
- Snowbasin Resort - Official website
- Ski Utah - Resort Profile
- First Tracks online magazine - Article on Snowbasin's 2002 improvements