EDEN, Utah — Powder Mountain today announced a multi-year investment that will significantly expand lift-served advanced terrain, modernize key base-areas, and deepen its commitment to beginner access and ski school development. The investment marks a significant milestone in Powder’s vision of creating an independent public resort rooted in recreation, culture, and community.
The new projects include completing the much-anticipated DMI Lift, which will serve 1,000 acres of advanced and technical terrain in Powder Mountain’s Wolf Creek Canyon zone. A full redevelopment of the Sundown base area, including a new lodge and new beginner-focused infrastructure, will collectively reshape the western-most section of the resort over the next two years and increase the skiable acreage to more than 6000 acres.
“This development plan is a demonstration of our commitment to keeping Powder a thriving public ski resort for generations to come,” says Brandi Hammon, President of Powder, “As a local and an avid skier, the team and I are committed to our community and season passholders, and will continue investing in their on-mountain experience. We started with the Lightning Ridge Lift along with replacing Timberline and Paradise Lifts, and now will continue with the DMI expansion and reimagining the Sundown base area, and there’s more to come. This is an exciting adventure to share with those that love Powder.”
New DMI Lift Opens for 2026–27
At the center of the announcement is a new Skytrac fixed-grip triple chair serving a zone known locally as DMI (short for Don’t Mention It). Set to open as soon as conditions in the 2026–27 season allow, the lift will provide public access to more than 1,000 acres of advanced terrain, 900 of which is lift-served, with 2,200 feet of vertical drop.
“The terrain in DMI is some of the best in Northern Utah. As a skier, it’s what you dream of: open glades, chutes, steep lines, it’s the perfect expansion for us and it is all expert skiing. We can’t wait to hear the hooting and hollering as people drop in,” said Hammon.
The lift will be among the steepest Skytrac has ever constructed, a testament to the type of terrain DMI offers.
Sundown Lift Replacement and New Beginner Lift
Also set for ‘26-27 is the replacement of the existing Sundown Lift with a new Leitner Poma of America (LPOA) high-speed quad, increasing uphill capacity and reliability from one of the resort’s primary base areas, also enhancing night skiing capacity.
Complementing that upgrade, Powder Mountain will introduce the Doodle Lift, a short fixed-grip quad, designed specifically for beginner progression. The lift will consist of repurposed infrastructure from the original Sundown Lift and offer ski school access to mellow terrain, creating a purpose-built learning environment for first-time skiers and riders.
New Sundown Base Area Development
Looking ahead to the 2027/28 season, Powder Mountain will break ground this summer on a new Sundown base area lodge, anchoring a broader redevelopment of the base zone. Planned elements include a new 15k square foot lodge designed by GSBS Architects with a ski school, ski and snowboard rentals, food and beverage, annual lockers and skier safety services.
The project is designed to improve skier circulation, guest experience, and comfort while aligning with Powder Mountain’s long-term vision for intentional growth.
Reduced Youth Season Pass Pricing, Veteran Access to Military Pass, & More
Alongside on-mountain capital projects, Powder Mountain is reinforcing its commitment to access and instruction through reduced season pass pricing for youth starting at $249, as well as expanded investment in ski school programming and instructor talent. The resort will also reinstate access of the Military Pass to veterans in addition to active members.
Powder will continue its commitment to public art by installing multiple new works over the summer, in partnership with Powder Art Foundation (PAF). PAF is the only skiable art park in the country and brings large-scale sculptures to the mountain, expanding on the region’s rich cultural legacy of land art and site-specific works.
Powder’s ongoing commitment to improving its on-mountain experience is made possible by its public / private blended business model, which reinvests revenue from its private membership and real estate development, Powder Haven, into upgraded amenities and infrastructure for the public resort.