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Summit County to choose Columbus Pacific to develop Cline Dahle property, Summit County Manager Shayne Scott discusses the agenda for Wednesday's county council meeting, Mountain Town Music Executive Director Brian Richards shares details on next weekend's fundraiser and previews the free music throughout Summit County this summer and Christian Center of Park City Executive Director Steve Richardson previews upcoming events including the "Hike for Hunger."
Here's what changed in Dakota Pacific's new draft development agreement, Summit County Health Department Director Phil Bondurant shares an update on key health issues, Park City Fire District Chief Pete Emery and Fire Marshal Mike Owens discuss the upcoming wildfire season and Summit County fire restrictions, representatives with the Sunset Over Sunrise chairlift fundraiser preview the event which features 12 transformed two-seater chairs auctioned to benefit 12 nonprofits.
The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.WhoPete Sonntag, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Sun Valley, IdahoRecorded onApril 9, 2025About Sun ValleyClick here for a mountain stats overviewOwned by: The R. Earl Holding family, which also owns Snowbasin, UtahPass affiliations:* Ikon Pass – 7 days, no blackouts; no access on Ikon Base or Session passes; days shared between Bald and Dollar mountains* Mountain Collective – 2 days, no blackouts; days shared between Bald and Dollar mountainsReciprocal pass partners: Challenger Platinum and Challenger season passes include unlimited access to Snowbasin, UtahLocated in: Ketchum, IdahoClosest neighboring ski areas: Rotarun (:47), Soldier Mountain (1:10)Base elevation | summit elevation | vertical drop:Bald Mountain: 5,750 feet | 9,150 feet | 3,400 feetDollar Mountain: 6,010 feet | 6,638 feet | 628 feetSkiable Acres: 2,533 acres (Bald Mountain) | 296 acres (Dollar Mountain)Average annual snowfall: 200 inchesTrail count: 122 (100 on Bald Mountain; 22 on Dollar) – 2% double-black, 20% black, 42% intermediate, 36% beginnerLift fleet:Bald Mountain: 12 lifts (8-passenger gondola, 2 six-packs, 6 high-speed quads, 2 triples, 1 carpet - view Lift Blog's of inventory of Bald Mountain's lift fleet)Dollar Mountain: 5 lifts (2 high-speed quads, 1 triple, 1 double, 1 carpet - view Lift Blog's of inventory of Dollar Mountain's lift fleet)Why I interviewed him (again)Didn't we just do this? Sun Valley, the Big Groom, the Monster at the End of The Road (or at least way off the interstate)? Didn't you make All The Points? Pretty and remote and excellent. Why are we back here already when there are so many mountains left to slot onto the podcast? Fair questions, easy answer: because American lift-served skiing is in the midst of a financial and structural renaissance driven by the advent of the multimountain ski pass. A network of megamountains that 15 years ago had been growing creaky and cranky under aging lift networks has, in the past five years, flung new machines up the mountain with the slaphappy glee of a minor league hockey mascot wielding a T-shirt cannon. And this investment, while widespread, has been disproportionately concentrated on a handful of resorts aiming to headline the next generation of self-important holiday Instagram posts: Deer Valley, Big Sky, Steamboat, Snowbasin, and Sun Valley (among others). It's going to be worth checking in on these places every few years as they rapidly evolve into different versions of themselves.And Sun Valley is changing fast. When I hosted Sonntag on the podcast in 2022, Sun Valley had just left Epic for Ikon/Mountain Collective and announced its massive Broadway-Flying Squirrel installation, a combined 14,982 linear feet of high-speed machinery that included a replacement of North America's tallest chairlift. A new Seattle Ridge sixer followed, and the World Cup spectacle followed that. Meanwhile, Sun Valley had settled into its new pass coalitions and teased more megalifts and improvements to the village. Last December, the resort's longtime owner, Carol Holding, passed away at age 95. Whatever the ramifications of all that will be, the trajectory and fate of Sun Valley over the next decade is going to set (as much or more than it traces), the arc of the remaining large independents in our consolidating ski world.What we talked aboutThe passing and legacy of longtime owner Carol Holding and her late husband Earl – “she was involved with the business right up until the very end”; how the Holdings modernized the Sun Valley ski areas; long-term prospects for Sun Valley and Snowbasin independence following Mrs. Holding's passing; bringing World Cup Downhill races back to Sun Valley; what it took to prep Bald Mountain for the events; the risks of hosting a World Cup; finish line vibes; the potential for a World Cup return and when and how that could happen; the impact of the Challenger and Flying Squirrel lift upgrades; potential upgrades for the Frenchman's, River Run, Lookout Express, and Christmas lifts; yes Sun Valley has glades; the impact of the Seattle Ridge chairlift upgrade; why actual lift capacity for Sun Valley's legacy high-speed quads doesn't match spec; explaining Sun Valley's infrastructure upgrade surge; why Mayday and Lookout will likely remain fixed-grip machines; the charm of Dollar Mountain; considering Dollar lift upgrades; what happened to the Silver Dollar carpet; why Sun Valley is likely sticking with Ikon and Mountain Collective long-term after trying both those coalitions and Epic; whether Sun Valley could join Ikon Base now that Alterra ditched Ikon Base Plus; RFID coming at last; whether we could still see a gondola connection between Sun Valley Village and Dollar and Bald mountains; and why Sun Valley isn't focused on slopeside development at Bald Mountain.Why now was a good time for this interviewSince I more or less covered interview timing above, let me instead pull out a bit about Sun Valley's megapass participation that ended up being timely by accident. We recorded this conversation in April, well before Vail Resorts named Rob Katz its CEO for a second time, likely resetting what had become a lopsided (in Alterra's favor) Epic-versus-Ikon battle. Here's what Sonntag had to say on the pod in 2022, when Sun Valley had just wrapped its three-year Epic Pass run and was preparing for its first season on Ikon:… our three-year run with Epic was really, really good. And it brought guests to Sun Valley who have never been here before. I mean, I think we really proved out the value of these multi-resort passes and these partner passes. People aspire to go other places, and when their pass allows them to do that, that sometimes is the impetus. That's all they need to make that decision to do it. So as successful as that was, we looked at Ikon and thought, well, here's an opportunity to introduce ourselves to a whole new group of guests. And why would we not take advantage of that? We're hoping to convert, obviously, a few of these folks to be Sun Valley regulars. And so now we have the opportunity to do that again with Ikon.When I asked Sonntag during that conversation whether he would consider returning to Epic at some point, he said that “I'm focused on doing a great job of being a great partner with Ikon right now,” and that, “I'm not ready to go there yet.”With three winters of Ikon and Mountain Collective membership stacked, Sonntag spoke definitively this time (emphasis mine):We are very very happy with how everything has gone. We feel like we have great partners with both Ikon, which is, you know, partnering with a company, but they're partners in every sense of the word in terms of how they approach the partnership, and we feel like we have a voice. We have access to data. We can really do right by our customers and our business at the same time.Should we read that as an Epic diss on Broomfield? Perhaps, though saying you like pizza doesn't also mean you don't like tacos. But Sonntag was unambiguous when I asked whether Sun Valley was #TeamIkon long-term: “I would see us staying the course,” he said.For those inclined to further read into this, Sonntag arrived at Sun Valley after a long career at Vail Resorts, which included several years as president/COO-equivalent of Heavenly and Whistler. And while Sun Valley is part of a larger company that also includes Snowbasin, meaning Sonntag is not the sole decision-maker, it is interesting that an executive who spent so much of his career with a first-hand look inside the Epic Pass would now lead a mountain that stands firmly with the opposition.What I got wrongI mischaracterized the comments Sonntag had made on Epic and Ikon when we spoke in 2022, making it sound as though he had suggested that Sun Valley would try both passes and then decide between them. But it was me who asked him whether he would decide between the two after an Ikon trial, and he had declined to answer the question, saying, as noted above, that he wasn't “ready to go there yet.”Why you should ski Sun ValleyIf I was smarter I'd make some sort of heatmap showing where skier visits are clustered across America. Unfortunately I'm dumb, and even more unfortunately, ski areas began treating skier visit numbers with the secrecy of nuclear launch codes about a decade ago, so an accurate map would be difficult to draw up even if I knew how.However, I can offer a limited historical view into the crowding advantages that Sun Valley offers in comparison to its easier-to-access peer resorts. Check out Sun Valley's average annual skier visits from 2005 to 2011, compared to similarly sized Breckenridge and Keystone, and smaller Beaver Creek:Here's how those four ski areas compare in size and average skier visits per acre:Of course, 2011 was a long time ago and multi-mountain passes have dramatically reworked visitation patterns. Breck, Keystone, and Beaver Creek, all owned by Vail during the above timeframe, joined Epic Pass in 2008, while Sun Valley would stand on its own until landing on Mountain Collective in 2015, then Epic in 2019, then back to MC and Ikon in 2022. Airline service to Sun Valley has improved greatly in the past 15 years, which could also have ramped up the resort's skier visits.Still, anecdote and experience suggest that these general visitation ratios remain similar to the present day. Beaver Creek remains a bit of a hidey-hole by Colorado standards, but Breck and Keystone, planted right off America's busiest ski corridor in America's busiest ski state, are among the most obvious GPS inputs for the Epic Pass masses. No one has to try that hard to get to Summit County. To get to Sun Valley, you still have to work (and spend), a bit more.So that's the pitch, I guess, in addition to all the established Sun Valley bullet points: excellent grooming and outrageous views and an efficient and fast lift network. By staying off the Ikon Base Pass, not to mention Interstates 70 and 80, Sun Valley has managed to achieve oxymoron status: the big, modern U.S. ski resort that feels mostly empty most of the time. It's this and Taos and Telluride and a few others tossed into the far corners of the Rockies, places that at once feel of the moment and stand slightly outside of time.Podcast NotesOn Sun Valley/Pete 1.0Sonntag first joined me on the pod back in 2022:On Carol HoldingLongtime Sun Valley owner Carol Holding passed away on Dec. 23, 2024. Boise Dev recalled a bit of the family legacy around Sun Valley:“One day, I spotted Earl and Carol dining on the patio and asked him again,” Webb told Bossick. “And Carol turned to him and said, ‘Earl, you've been saying you're going to do that for years. If you don't build a new lodge, I'm going to divorce you.' That's what she said!”The lodge opened in 2004, dubbed Carol's Dollar Mountain Lodge.In a 2000 interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, Carol made it clear that she was as much a part of the business as Earl, whose name caught most of the headlines.“I either became part of his business or lived alone,” she said.The pair often bought distressed or undervalued assets and invested to upgrade them. She told the Tribune that paying attention to the dollars in those early years made a big difference.“I still have the first dollar bill that anyone gave me as a tip,” she said.Once they bought Sun Valley, Robert and Carol wasted no time.Wally Huffman, the resort's GM, got a call to the area above the Ram Restaurant. Someone was stuffing mattresses out the window, and they were landing with a thud on the kitchen loading dock below. Huffman called Janss – the person who had owned the resort – and asked what to do.“I think you should do whatever Mr. Holding tells you to do.”Robert and Carol had purchased the property, and upgrades were well underway. They didn't know how to ski. But they did know hospitality.“Why would anyone who didn't know how to ski buy a ski resort? That wasn't why we bought it—to come here to ski,” Carol said. “We bought it to run as a business.”Earl Holding's 2013 New York Times obituary included background on the couple's purchase of Sun Valley:A year later, Carol Holding, who was her husband's frequent business partner, showed him a newspaper article about the potential sale of Sun Valley. He bought the resort, which had fallen into disrepair since its glory years as a getaway for Ernest Hemingway and others, after he and his wife spent a day there skiing. They had never skied before.Davy Ratchford, President of sister resort Snowbasin, told a great story about Carol Holding on the podcast back in 2023 [31:20]:Mrs. Holding is an amazing woman and is sharp. She knows everything that's going on at the resorts. She used to work here, right? She'd flip burgers and she'd sell things from the retail store. I mean she's an original, right? Like she is absolutely amazing and she knows everything about it. And I was hired and I remember being in our lodge and I had all the employees there and she was introducing me, and it was an amazing experience. I remember I was kneeling down next to her chair and I said, “You know, Mrs. Holding, thank you for the opportunity.” And she grabs both your hands and she holds them in tight to her, and that's how she talks to you. It's this amazing moment. And I said, “I just want to make sure I'm doing exactly what you want me to do for you and Earl's legacy of Snowbasin.” I know how much they love it, right? Since 1984. And I said, “Can I just ask your advice?” And this is exactly what she said to me, word for word, she said, “Be nice and hire nice people.” And every employee orientation since then, I've said that: “Our job is to be nice and to hire nice people.”Listen to the rest here:On Sun Valley's evolutionWhen the Holdings showed up in 1977, Sun Valley, like most contemporary ski areas, was a massive tangle of double and triple chairs:The resort upgraded rapidly, installing seven high-speed quads between 1988 and 1994: Unfortunately, the ski area chose Yan, whose bungling founder's shortcuts transformed the machines into deathtraps, as its detachable partner. The ski area heavily retrofit all seven machines in partnership with Doppelmayr in 1995. Sun Valley has so far replaced three of the seven Yans: the Seattle Ridge sixer replaced the detach quad of the same name last year and the Broadway sixer and Flying Squirrel quad replaced the Broadway and Greyhawk quads in 2023, on a new alignment:Sonntag outlines which of the remaining four Yan-Doppelmayr hybrids will be next on the pod.I've summarized the Yan drama several times, most recently in the article accompanying my podcast conversation with Mammoth COO Eric Clark earlier this year:On World Cup resultsWhile we talk in general about the motivation behind hosting the World Cup, what it took to prep the mountain, and the energy of the event itself, we don't get a lot into the specifics of the events themselves. Here are all the official stats. Videos here.On gladesYes, Sun Valley has glades (video by #GoProBro, which is me):On Ikon Pass' evolutionI feel as though I publish this chart every other article, but here it is. If you're reading this in the future, click through for the most current:On the Sun Valley Village masterplanWe discuss an old Sun Valley masterplan that included a gondola connection from the village to Dollar and then Bald mountains:The new village plan, which is a separate document, rather than an update of the image above, doesn't mention it:Why? We discuss.The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast is a reader-supported publication. Please support independent ski journalism, or we'll all be reading about bros backflipping over moving trains for the rest of our lives. Get full access to The Storm Skiing Journal and Podcast at www.stormskiing.com/subscribe
Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation Executive Director Mike Luers shares key wastewater issues, US 40 crash kills one near Heber where UDOT plans safety improvements, Summit Pride members Virginia Solomon and Rebecca Brenner share details on the "Raise the Flag" initiative and June Pride Month programming, Mediator and author Chad Ford and Mountain Mediation Programs Director Kris Campbell detail Ford's visit focused on understanding conflict and how to turn it into meaningful connection, Ecker Hill Middle School PTO President Brittany Bailey and parent organizer Kouy Kolar share details on year-end community events, Wasatch County rodeo and derby thwart scalpers with in-person only presale, Utah's newest state park opens near Moab with biking, offroading and fossils, UDOT warns drivers after increase in scam texts, calls and Summit County deputies issue reminder on e-bike safety.
Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We have some big updates to share about future districting for county council seats, a recap of proposals to develop the Cline-Dahle property, and a preview of Pride Month and the upcoming weed tour. Alright, let's get into the news! TOPIC … Continue reading May 23, 2025 — Summit County Council creates districting commission, names chair →
West Hills supporters threaten to sue Summit County and Kamas, Summit County Sustainability Director Emily Quinton provides an update on the status of the Utah Renewable Communities program, Park City Manager Matt Dias previews this week's city council meeting and Executive Director of Summit Community Gardens/EATS Helen Nadel shares an update on summer programs.
Summit County grant committee recommends not funding organizations late on reporting, Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau previews this week's county council meeting, PCHS engineering teacher Brad Gannon and PCCAPS student Jackson Carlson talk about building a road-worthy electric vehicle from the ground up, Recycle Utah General Manager Jim Bedell and Community Outreach Manager Chelsea Hafer share the latest on a location for a new center, appeals court affirms decision in Vail Resorts $2 million bowling injury case and Summer road projects to affect Thaynes Canyon and Bonanza Park traffic.
Wasatch County road rage incident draws felony charge after driver punched and left unconscious, Park City preservation board delays decision on Centennial House renovation, Pete Stoughton of the PCHS Mountain Bike Team shares details on this weekend's bike swap, Park City considers request to display Main Street Pride banners as state's flag ban kicks in, the spring projects open house offers project updates, Trudy Brereton with Wasatch Behavioral Health and Wasatch CAPS student Carla Nava talk about their new mural addressing underage drinking, Summit County declines to fund Sundance marketing for 2026 festival and UDOT to restripe roads in Summit and Wasatch counties this summer.
Leaders from the Park City and Summit County Arts Council talk about the importance of arts and culture in building community, the upcoming Latino Arts Festival, and the vision for a stronger, year-round creative economy in Summit County. They also discuss the evolving future of arts spaces in Park City and how public support can help artists and residents thrive.
In episode 120, we are joined by the Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party, Liz Walters! We talk about how became so passionate about politics, the biggest challenges Democrats face in Ohio, and how to turn Ohio into a swing state again. You don't want to miss this conversation!In January of 2021, Liz was unanimously elected as Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. She is the first woman elected to this role and was re-elected in 2022 to a four year term. Throughout her career Liz has worked with people and organizations that support progressive values, including official offices, campaigns, and nonprofit and community organizations.Walters is also serving the citizens of Summit County as an At-Large councilmember, and previously served as Council President. She has been active on a wide variety of issues and led the passage and implementation of Paid Parental Leave for county employees, the only Ohio county to pass such legislation.She is a lifetime Girl Scout and has been active with the organization as a member, employee, or volunteer since the age of five. Liz earned a B.A. in History from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and her MPA from Cleveland State University. She and her rescue dog, Beatrice, live on the westside of Akron.Resources:* Ohio Democratic PartyConnect with USS:* Substack* InstagramThis episode was edited by Kevin Tanner. Learn more about him and his services here:* Website* Instagram Get full access to United SHE Stands at www.unitedshestands.com/subscribe
Pleaser hit Subscribe/Follow. And leave a 5-Star review. Click here to go to Jens Book. https://a.co/d/9C4XVyP Click here to go to our Patreon Page. https://www.patreon.com/222ParanormalPodcast Click here for our website. https://www.222paranormal.com/ Click here for Joes book. https://a.co/d/6fTiN2w Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your fellow paranormal enthusiasts. Got your own ghost town story or local legend? We'd love to feature it in an upcoming show—reach out to us through our website or social media. Welcome back, all you ghost hunters, history lovers, and seekers of the strange! On this episode of the 222 Paranormal Podcast, we're exploring a lesser-known but deeply haunted side of Ohio—its ghost towns. You may not think of Ohio when you think of eerie abandoned places, but the Buckeye State is filled with long-forgotten towns where whispers of the past still echo through the woods, fields, and empty buildings. These aren't just abandoned communities—they're home to some of the most chilling ghost stories in the Midwest. Ohio's ghost towns were once thriving villages, mining outposts, or utopian communities, now reduced to little more than crumbling foundations, moss-covered cemeteries, and overgrown roads. But in many of these towns, the dead didn't leave when the living moved out. First, we take you deep into the heart of Moonville, a remote 19th-century coal mining town hidden in the forests of Vinton County. Today, only a few foundations and the iconic Moonville Tunnel remain, but paranormal activity is rampant. The most famous spirit is that of a lantern-carrying ghost said to have been struck by a train—many visitors report seeing a glowing light bobbing in the distance and hearing disembodied footsteps echo through the tunnel at night. Is it the spirit of a railroad worker, or something more sinister? Next, we turn to Boston Mills, better known in urban legend circles as Helltown. Located in Summit County, this area was partially evacuated in the 1970s when the government acquired the land for the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. But the lack of public explanation left a vacuum that filled quickly with rumors: tales of Satanic cults, mutant creatures, ghostly children, and cursed roads. Is it just a case of folklore run wild, or are the spirits of the displaced still making their presence known? Then there's Utopia, Ohio, a riverside community in Clermont County founded by spiritualists in the 1800s. Designed to be a utopian society, the town's dreams were washed away—literally—by a tragic flood that killed dozens. Today, the few remaining structures and nearby riverbanks are said to be haunted by spirits who perished in that disaster, still searching for peace that eluded them in life. We'll also touch on lesser-known but equally spooky spots like Mineral, San Toy, and Tadmor, ghost towns with rich histories and reports of unexplained noises, shadowy figures, and strange lights. From the whispers of miners who never clocked out to the children heard laughing in the ruins of old schools, these towns may have lost their populations—but gained eternal residents. In this episode, we dive into: The true history behind Ohio's ghost towns and their rise and fall Eyewitness accounts from paranormal investigators and visitors Common threads between these locations that may explain their hauntings Why abandoned places seem to attract and hold spiritual energy If you're into legends, forgotten history, and spine-chilling stories that will have you double-checking your rearview mirror on the way home, this episode is for you. Ohio may seem quiet on the surface, but it has a haunted heart that beats beneath the soil. So light some sage, grab your gear, and join us on a journey through the haunted ghost towns of Ohio. You'll learn, you'll shiver—and you might just want to visit these places yourself… if you're brave enough. Welcome to the 222 Paranormal Podcast, your gateway to the captivating world of the supernatural. Immerse yourself in our expertly crafted episodes, where we delve deep into a wide range of paranormal phenomena, including ghostly hauntings, cryptid sightings, and unexplained mysteries that defy logic. Each episode is meticulously researched and features engaging discussions with leading experts, seasoned ghost hunters, and renowned paranormal investigators. We cover the latest advancements in ghost hunting technology, offer practical tips for both amateur and experienced investigators, and review essential equipment for your paranormal adventures. Our podcast also explores the rich history of haunted locations, sharing true stories and firsthand accounts that will send chills down your spine. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the paranormal or just curious about the unknown, our content is designed to entertain, inform, and ignite your imagination. Stay tuned as we uncover secrets from the most haunted places around the world and analyze the most intriguing supernatural events. We also provide in-depth interviews with notable figures in the field and explore theories that challenge conventional understanding of reality. By subscribing to our Paranormal Podcast, you'll stay updated with the latest episodes, allowing you to join a community of like-minded individuals who share your fascination with the unexplained. Don't miss out on our exclusive content and special features, which bring you closer to the mysteries that lie beyond our everyday experiences. Dive into the world of the unknown with our Paranormal Podcast and experience the thrill of discovering what lies just beyond the veil of reality.
Hi everyone and welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! With spring slowly creeping across Summit County, we've got some exciting seasonal announcements and updates on recent and upcoming public input. Let's get into the news. TOPIC 1: Summit Bike Share Launch First off, the bikes are back in town! Starting … Continue reading April 25, 2025 — Jump into spring with bike share launch, road work, and council updates →
Summit County planner to direct new housing authority, Utah Forestry warns Wasatch Back of earlier wildfire season and burn scar flooding, South Summit School District Superintendent Greg Maughan provides an update on a feasibility study for new schools, Mont-Orford Ski Area Event Director Noah Hogg talks about their event that broke Park City's shot ski record, Gov. Cox: Dozens jockeying to fill Sundance void, Eastern Summit County supports districting county council, Wasatch Mountain State Park Ranger Kathy Donnell previews their upcoming Dark Sky Celebration, Park City Mountain closes uphill access early due to spring conditions, Heber adds e-bike rules but no speed limit, Park City's Matthew Prince 1 of 8 Utah billionaires on Forbes list, Park City evaluates proposals for Bonanza Park 5-acre property and Wasatch County spring TAP grants will fund theater performances, murals and more.
Hey everyone! Welcome to a special episode of Summit County's weekly news podcast, Summit in Six! Today, we'll take a deep dive into the latest on the Kimball Junction Environmental Impact Statement or EIS. For some context, since 2019, UDOT, in partnership with Summit County, has been working to evaluate improvements at the I-80 and … Continue reading April 17, 2025 — Special Interview with UDOT Official on Kimball Junction EIS →
Hideout mayor resigns due to health issues, no ranked choice voting for Heber in 2025 election, Utah Fire Info talks about preparing for wildfire season, Yarrow owner appeals denial of redevelopment project, Park City Song Summit's 2025 festival will feature Goose and Greensky Bluegrass, Park City hires two new deputy city managers, Wasatch Back has positive water outlook after another above normal snowpack year, Union workers submit more than 320,000 signatures for HB267 referendum, UDOT's 2025 projects include work in Summit, Wasatch counties, GOP Gov. Cox instructs Utah agencies to make plans for a possible recession, Summit County sheriff opens citizen academy applications, EU ambassador warns Utah leaders that the state will feel economic impact of tariffs, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest talks about responsible recreation in the Uintas, Dodger Stadium and Universal Studios among LA28 Olympic venues, NPS celebrates National Park Week with free entry, Park City Transit riders log 350,000 miles in winter ‘Ride On' challenge and 2026 Olympic torches to honor bond between man and nature.
Park City Mountain lift lawsuit moves to Utah Court of Appeals, Francis residents appeal one hotel as city approves another, Utahns prepare to "drop, cover and hold" in statewide earthquake drill, Summit County soon to break ground on landfill expansion, former Park City School District COO receives $176K severance package, Christian Center of Park City shares Holy Week activities, Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau previews this week's county council meeting and Recycle Utah General Manager Jim Bedell with the latest on a location for a new center.
Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! Today, we recap this week's County Council meeting, discuss the latest with House Bill 356, a bill that changes the way Summit County elects our council members, and finally, highlight some exciting events happening in the county in the next few … Continue reading April 11, 2025 — Weekly County Council Recap + Key Community Input Events Coming Up! →
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Summit County adopts temporary zoning to comply with Dakota Pacific mandate, Kem C. Gardner Chief Economist Phil Dean talks about Utah's high median household income, Park City Councilmember Bill Ciraco recaps Thursday's council meeting, Image Reborn Foundation Executive Director Bobbi Lord talks about an upcoming event at the Park City Hospital, Park City School District sports complex approved with pickleball prohibition and Wasatch County governments coordinate e-bike rules as weather warms.
The trial of Kouri Richins is currently paused as her defense team pursues an appeal regarding the court's decision to keep the case in Summit County rather than transfer it to Salt Lake County.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Park City Institute founder and former director Teri Orr joins the show to share more on the history of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Park City Community Foundation Climate Fund Manager Andy Hecht discusses the foundations new Zero Food Waste Restaurant Cohort pilot program, Summit County wants three changes to HB356 in special session, Preservation Utah Executive Director Brandy Strand on nomination call for 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places list, Wasatch Immigration Project adds first full-time attorney after increase in deportations and Deputy Park City fire chief to replace retiring Chief Bob Zanetti.
In 1975, boxing great Muhammad Ali faced off against an underdog - Chuck Wepner - in a match held at Summit County's Richfield Coliseum. Wepner held up for almost 15 full rounds, and even scored a rare knockout against the reigning world champ. Wepner's performance in Ohio inspired an out-of-work actor named Sylvester Stallone to sit down over the next three days and pen the script for one of Hollywood's most iconic films. www.ohiomysteries.com feedback@ohiomysteries.com www.patreon.com/ohiomysteries www.twitter.com/mysteriesohio www.facebook.com/ohiomysteries Additional music: New Horizon - Aderin; Audionautix- The Great Unknown; The Great Phospher- Daniel Birch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Park City planners officially deny Yarrow redevelopment concept, Wasatch Back ski areas open through Easter, Summit County Council Member Canice Harte recaps Wednesday's council meeting, Utah Avalanche Center Forecaster Dave Kelly explains "repeater avalanches" and recaps the overall avalanche season and the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County previews upcoming gallery strolls and other events.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, "Affordable housing is not a money loser," Summit County attorney says, Summit County Councilmember Roger Armstrong recaps Wednesday's council meeting, Park City School District Board of Education member Nick Hill and Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman provide district updates and Summit and Wasatch County State Representative Mike Kohler recaps the 2025 legislative session.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Wasatch County asks governor to veto council districting bill, Main Street water line project returns with free parking until June, Park City Deputy Manager Sarah Pearce previews this week's city council meeting, Park City Artists Association shares details about their "Spring Into Art" event, "Going to get ugly": Summit County councilmembers react to districting and top alpine athletes train in Park City ahead of World Cup.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Park City, Summit County meeting with UDOT amid conflict over S.R. 224 plans, Wasatch County Manager Dustin Grabau previews this week's county council meeting, Colorado House approves $34M financial package to lure Sundance, Park City Mountain Ski Patroller Andy Szpak shares details on this year's Backcountry Bow Wow event, Kamas pauses new short-term rentals and adds tax for guests, Park City Ski and Snowboard talks about World Cup athletes training at the UOP and Kouri Richins' attorneys ask to move murder trial to Salt Lake.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, judge rejects claim Summit County detectives violated Kouri Richins' rights, Mountain Mediation Center shares details on free consultations for landlord-tenant disputes, leadership group to create historic Heber tour, Utah bill aims to restrict some transgender adults from receiving gender-affirming care, Jon Owen from USA Luge previews the upcoming luge championships and Park City Chamber Bureau CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff details the latest lodging numbers.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Summit County rejects batch of Dakota Pacific referendum signatures, sponsors seek injunction, Utah media law expert and attorney Michael Judd explains how HB 69 could affect access to public records, house bill would shake up Summit County Council seats, Heber leaders discuss traffic flow around planned Main Street condo hotel, UVU Mathematics professor Dr. Alan Parry explains ranked choice voting and Heber Community Alliance for Main Street and Heber Leadership Academy member Rachel Kahler explains how to preserve Heber's historic homes and buildings.
Building Resilience and Disrupting HR with Chrissy Myers | The Beacon Way PodcastIn this episode of The Beacon Way Podcast, host Adrian welcomes Chrissy Myers, CEO of AUI and Clarity HR, and author of 'Reluctantly Resilient'. Chrissy shares her journey of taking over and scaling her family business, starting a new venture, and leading through personal and professional challenges. They discuss the importance of resilience, authenticity in leadership, and navigating the evolving HR landscape. Tune in to hear Chrissy's insights on managing generational businesses, the impact of the pandemic on work environments, and the critical role of peer groups for business leaders.About Chrissy Myers: Chrissy is the author of Reluctantly Resilient and the CEO of AUI and Clarity HR which serve small and medium sized businesses in both for profit and non-profit sectors in the areas of Human Resources and Employee Benefits. Chrissy describes herself as the chief cheerleader setting direction, steering marketing content, and finding creative ways to disrupt two established business sectors. Chrissy is also the author of AUI Gives Back & Clarity Cares two community impact programs where employees serve in the community, track their impact and share what they are doing on behalf of their customers. Around Akron Chrissy works to leave her community a better place. She is a graduate of Leadership Ohio, Torchbearers, Leadership Akron, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Sclaerator NEO and Community Leadership Institute. She has received the 30 for the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber and an Achievement on Excellence Award from National Sales and Marketing Executives. As an advocate for families struggling with addiction and mental health issues, Chrissy currently serves as Chair for the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Akron Chamber and Goodwill Industries of Northeast Ohio. Previously Chrissy has served on the Board or Committees for Jobs for Ohio Graduates, Red Oak Behavioral Health, Community Partnership of Summit County, and Social Venture Partners. Chrissy received her bachelor's in business administration from John Carroll University and her MBA from the University of Akron. When she is not plotting world domination of the insurance industry or volunteering in the community Chrissy can be found at home with Team Awesome Sauce including Steve, her husband, two kiddos - Maddy & Caleb. Purchase Chrissy's Book Here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4RHL17L?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_4FJ68Q15WSE8XVMMHHCQ&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_4FJ68Q15WSE8XVMMHHCQ&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_4FJ68Q15WSE8XVMMHHCQ&bestFormat=true00:00 Introduction to the Beacon Way Podcast00:46 Chrissy Myers' Background and Journey01:57 Generational Business and AUI's History04:11 Launching Clarity HR07:07 Navigating HR Challenges During COVID-1914:54 Resilience and Leadership as a CEO18:16 Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges18:40 The Myth of Perfection in Business19:25 Authenticity in Leadership20:08 Balancing Transparency and Leadership20:56 Building Resilient Teams23:05 The Reality of Startup Life24:53 Managing Growth and Transitions26:41 The Entrepreneurial Mindset34:32 The Importance of Peer Groups
This week, on episode 495, I'm talking with Will Schafer, founder of Altisnooze. The First-of-its-kind sleep aid for high-altitude. After struggling for years with sleeping during alpine adventures, Schafer came to learn from a sleep doctor that altitude insomnia is a thing. He connected with formulation experts to develop a natural solution, ALTISNOOZE. Facebook Twitter Instagram Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! Sign up for my Newsletter HERE I'd love to hear your feedback about the show! You can contact me here: rick@theoutdoorbizpodcast.com What Happened: For years, I chalked up my awful sleep in the mountains to bad luck. Every time I went to Summit County, Colorado, my nights were a mess—staring at the ceiling, waking up feeling like I'd been run over by a snowcat, and then trying to enjoy the outdoors while running on fumes. I blamed it on travel, excitement, bad pillows—you name it. But then I started noticing something weird. Friends on ski trips and camping adventures were having the same problem. Some of them, tough-as-nails hikers and backcountry warriors, were walking around like zombies after a single night at altitude. That's when I met Dr. Michael Breus, a legit sleep doctor, who hit me with a truth bomb: altitude insomnia is real. And worse? It affects up to 75% of people. Your body's struggling with low oxygen, which wrecks your sleep cycle, making it nearly impossible to rest. So, I set out on a mission to fix it. After a deep dive into research, testing a ridiculous amount of natural ingredients, and countless sleepless nights (for science), I created Altisnooze—a sleep aid designed specifically for high-altitude adventures, without the grogginess of melatonin. Principle: Bad sleep = bad adventure. Period. You can have the best gear, the most epic trail planned, and a perfect sunrise waiting for you—but if you don't sleep well, your trip is going to suck. Most people don't even realize altitude is the issue. They just assume they're bad sleepers, or that their body needs to “adjust.” But waiting around for a week to acclimate? Not ideal when your trip is only a few days long. Good sleep isn't just about comfort—it's about performance, recovery, and actually enjoying the adventure you planned. Transition: A lot of outdoor lovers deal with this and don't even realize what's holding them back. They push through exhaustion, drink too much caffeine, or try to knock themselves out with melatonin—only to wake up feeling worse. That's exactly why I created Altasnooze. Because when you finally fix your sleep at altitude, everything changes—your energy, your performance, your mood, and most importantly, how much fun you have. That's Why: …we want to introduce you to Altisnooze and just dropped an episode of the Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast with Will Schaefer, founder of Altisnooze. He went from being a sleep-deprived mess in the mountains to developing a game-changing solution for adventurers who want to feel fabulous at altitude. In this episode, we dive into the science of altitude insomnia, how it messes with your body, and what you can do to fix it—so your next high-altitude trip doesn't turn into a sleepless disaster. Call to Action: If you've ever struggled to sleep in the mountains, this episode is your wake-up call. (Pun intended.) Don't let altitude ruin your adventure—get the inside scoop on fixing your sleep at high elevation and feeling your best. #Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast, #altitude insomnia, #AltiSnooze, #high altitude sleep aid, #altitude sickness, #sleep doctor, #Michael Breus, #adventure travel, #melatonin-free, #sleep disturbance, #alpinists, #electrolytes, #high altitude adventures, #natural supplements, #altitude symptoms
Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! We have a quick episode for you today! We discuss week 4 of the Utah State Legislature's 2025 General Session and then share some cool collaborations between the Summit County Sustainability Division and the Summit County Library. Alright, let's get into … Continue reading February 14, 2025 – Summit County Sustainability x Library Collaborations + more! →
Columbus company re-opens after mass shooting a week ago; bald eagle dead of suspected bird flu in Summit County; father of fallen Toledo police officer is facing felony charges; Cincinnati-based Kroger announces job cuts.
Gov. DeWine taps former Buckeye football coach Jim Tressel to fill Lt. Governor seat; after 100 days of closure, southbound lanes of Cincinnati's Daniel Carter Beard bridge are open; city of Springfield sues a neo-Nazi group over anti-Haitian rhetoric and harassment; a bald eagle rescued in Summit County has bird flu.
Gov. DeWine taps former Buckeye football coach Jim Tressel to fill Lt. Governor seat; after 100 days of closure, southbound lanes of Cincinnati's Daniel Carter Beard bridge are open; city of Springfield sues a neo-Nazi group over anti-Haitian rhetoric and harassment; a bald eagle rescued in Summit County has bird flu.
Doug Clyde, Project Manager for High Altitude Watershed Planning for Mountain Resort Consulting and former Member of Summit County Council Planning Commission, joins us to talk about the importance of watershed health and incorporating watershed protections to land use planning rules and regulations. We discuss the specifics of the Kamas Valley in Summit County, Utah as a prime example of high altitude valleys, rural development, and how prospective land use planning can protect the water quality of a critical tributary to the Great Salt Lake.
Send us a textMusic has been an important part of Laurie Dameron's life since childhood. Her mom started teaching her how to sing as a toddler, even teaching her and her sister three-part harmonies to sing on car trips.She started piano lessons around the age of four, but as a child, she didn't like being told what to do. Her mother encouraged her to try various endeavors, including ballet, tap dancing, acting, and swimming. However, none of them truly stuck with her.When Dameron was around seven years old, her mother started taking guitar lessons. As a form of rebellion, Dameron would sneak into her mother's room and teach herself how to play the guitar. From there, she completely fell in love with performing.She played her first gig at a brewery in Pearl Street Mall with two friends from junior high and high school, brothers Dave and Drew Emmitt, with the latter later becoming one of the “Big Three” members of Leftover Salmon.Dameron went to college at Adams State University in Alamosa, and for her last two years there, she ran the open mic at the school. She posted flyers, ran marketing, and made sure to advertise the event during her time as a DJ for the local radio station KASF-FM.During her time at Adams State, she toured with ASC Big Band Jazz Ensemble. As part of that group, she performed twice in the Greeley Jazz Festival, where her playing impressed virtuoso jazz guitar player Johnny Smith. She briefly received free guitar lessons from Smith at his music store in Colorado Springs, but ultimately moved to Summit County in 1983.To learn more about Laurie Dameron's life and career (as well as her connection to the host of this podcast), then be sure to tune in to this episode of Music of the Mountains!Call it A Day: https://youtu.be/KQRdFLbDy1M Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring the news and culture from peak to peak!If you want to be featured in the podcast, contact the host at media@themountainear.com!SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS! Subscribe at https://www.themtnear.com/subscribe!You can find us online by visiting https://www.themtnear.com!Find us on Facebook @mtnear!Share this podcast around!! Scroll near the bottom of our website's homepage or visit the podcast's main hub at https://themtnearpodcast.buzzsprout.com!You can contact our editor at info@themountainear.com!Thank you for listening!
Hey everyone and welcome back to Summit County News here on Summit in Six. Today, we've got some interesting findings based on community feedback from the General Plan updates, more info on the 2025 Legislative session and its impacts on Summit County and a reminder for Summit County Parents. Let's get into the news! GENERAL … Continue reading February 7, 2025 – General Plan and Legislative Updates, SHARP Survey Reminder →
Thinking about investing in a short-term rental (STR) in Summit County, Colorado? Candice De and Amy Nakos break down everything you need to know about STR regulations in this must-watch video! ⏳ One of the most common questions we get is: "Can I short-term rental up there?" – and the answer isn't always straightforward.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, new Summit County town near Kamas likely on November ballot, Summit County Community Development Director Peter Barnes shares an update on development projects throughout the county, Park City Manager Matt Dias previews this week's city council meeting, University of Utah Head Alpine Ski Coach JJ Johnson provides details about this week's Utah Invitational and Wasatch County considers $2M for open space, residents asked for input.
Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six. This week, we'll cover some key items from this week's County Council meeting, including a weekly report on the Utah State Legislature's General Session and an update on a Summit County housing authority for our community. Then, we'll give a forecast … Continue reading January 31, 2025 – Updates on UT State Legislative Session, Housing Authority and more! →
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast (3:12), Netflix buys Sundance drama '‘Train Dreams,'' Park City Community Foundation's Eyee Hsu discusses how the Sundance Film Festival brings communities together and how it reflects the town's values, NAC Chief Programming and Education Officer Tracy Meier discusses the 37th Annual Huntsman Cup, making history as the first U.S. race to include skiers with intellectual disabilities, Utah House bill may help Summit County crack down on unlicensed Airbnbs, these Utah lawmakers, including some Republicans, defended liberal arts during a debate over higher ed cuts, Ron Jackenthal with Live Like Sam Foundation talks about the Thrive program, and KPCW's Sarah Ervin and John Burdick announce The Community Campfire, a new Friday show debuting next week.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, DABS Director Tiffany Clason talks about two package agency applications in Summit County, Heber Police Sgt. Josh Weishar discusses crime trends, events and what bills they are watching this legislative session, local musician Peech with bandmembers Adam Banx and Steady Steeze preview their show on Jan. 30th, Park City School District announces new superintendent, Intermountain Health and DHHS celebrate 41% decline in state opioid prescriptions and Utah bobsledder wins second, third consecutive World Cup medals.
This episode covers insights on data from the last 5 years showing when prices go up and when they go down each year in Summit County, CO. We see some consistent trends in that we have a few peaks each year and a few valleys each year, though they shift a little each year.Listen in to hear the best times to buy and sell in the mountains!
The jail is creating a new unit for incarcerated individuals struggling with mental health issues, as well as those on suicide watch or with other medical issues.
Latest Utah Avalanche Center forecast, Summit County's Dakota Pacific referendum can go on ballot, county attorney says, State Rep. Mike Kohler (District 59) previews the upcoming legislative session, Park City Manager Matt Dias previews this week's city council meeting and Heber Valley Chamber Executive Director Dallin Koecher has an update on upcoming events and economic indicators in the area.
Trump's pick to lead DEA withdraws from consideration; Report: NYS hospitals' operating margins impact patient care; Summit County, CO aims to remain economically viable in warming climate; SD Gov. sets aside 2026 budget funds for new education savings accounts.
This podcast hit paid subscribers' inboxes on Nov. 11. It dropped for free subscribers on Nov. 18. To receive future episodes as soon as they're live, and to support independent ski journalism, please consider an upgrade to a paid subscription. You can also subscribe to the free tier below:WhoDustin Lyman, President and General Manager of Copper Mountain, ColoradoRecorded onOctober 21, 2024About Copper MountainOwned by: Powdr, which also owns:Located in: Frisco, ColoradoYear founded: 1972Pass affiliations: Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass: unlimited access, no blackoutsClosest neighboring ski areas: Frisco Adventure Park (:15), Keystone (:19), Vail Mountain (:21), Breckenridge (:23), Loveland (:23), Arapahoe Basin (:30), Beaver Creek (:32), Ski Cooper (:34) – travel times vary considerably depending upon time of day, time of year, and apocalypse level on I-70Base elevation: 9,738 feetSummit elevation: 12,441 feetVertical drop: 2,703 feetSkiable Acres: 2,538Average annual snowfall: 305 inchesTrail count: 178Lift count: 25 (1 6/8-passenger chondola, 3 high-speed six-packs, 3 high-speed quads, 5 triples, 4 doubles, 2 platters, 1 T-bar, 6 carpets – view Lift Blog's inventory of Copper Mountain's lift fleet)Why I interviewed himImagine if, rather than finding an appropriate mountain upon which to build ski area, we just identified the best possible location for a ski area and built a mountain there. You would want to find a reliable snow pocket, preferably at elevation. You would want a location close to a major highway, with no access road drama. There should be a large population base nearby. Then you would build a hill with a great variety of green, blue, and black runs, and bunch them together in little ability-based kingdoms. The ski area would be big but not too big. It would be tall but not too tall. It would snow often, but rarely too much. It would challenge you without trying to kill you. You may include some pastoral touches, like tree islands to break up the interstate-wide groomers. You'd want to groom a lot but not too much. You'd want some hella good terrain parks. You'd want to end up with something pretty similar to Copper Mountain.Because Copper is what we end up with when we lop off all the tryhard marketing meth that attempts to make ski resorts more than what they are. Copper is not Gladiator on skis, you against the notorious Batshit Chutes. But Copper is not one big groomer, either. Copper is not fur shawls in the hotel lobby. But Copper is also not duct tape around a pants leg. Copper does not serve passenger pigeon eggs in its mountaintop eateries. But Copper is also not frozen burritos and a plastic sleeve of powdered donuts. Copper is not angry, or haughty, or cloying, or righteous, or overwrought. Copper does not call you “Sir.” Copper fixes your refrigerator without having to come back with another part. Copper, quietly and without a lot of hassle, just works.What we talked aboutThe new Timberline six-pack chairlift; why Copper upgraded T-Rex before the mountain's much older lifts; how much better a 2024 detachable lift is from a 1994 detachable lift; why Copper didn't sell the lift to another ski area; that one summer that Copper installed two gargantuan frontside lifts; why new chairlift installations are so challenging; Leitner-Poma; the challenges of installing mid-mountain versus base-area lifts; installing American Eagle, American Flyer, and Three Bears; how Copper quietly offered skiing for 12 consecutive months from October 2023 to September 2024, despite an official May closing date; whether year-round skiing will become an official Copper activity; why Copper builds its halfpipe entirely from snow each season rather than constructing an earthwork base; The Athlete's Mountain; why Copper continues to build bigger and more advanced terrain parks even as many big mountains back out of the space; Woodward parks; how many crew members and snowcats Copper devotes to maintaining its enormous terrain park network; why the Union Creek high-speed quad became Woodward Express; why Copper doesn't compete with Keystone and A-Basin as first-to-open for the skiing public; Copper's World Cup ambitions; how to get a job running a ski resort when you've never worked at a ski resort; why it's so important for a ski area manager to ski every day; counting ski days; mad love for ski areas; potential candidates for lift replacements; how to get a ski trail named after you; retrofitting old lifts with safety bars; expansion opportunities; $99 Thursday lift tickets and whether that program could expand to additional weekdays; Copper's amazing season pass benefit; why Copper Mountain access is unlimited with no blackouts on the Ikon and Ikon Base passes; and why Copper continues to sell its own season pass that doesn't cost much less than the Ikon Base Pass. Why I thought that now was a good time for this interviewCopper is a curious bloke. Copper sits within 30 minutes of four Vail Resorts, one of the toughest draws in North American skiing. So Copper is an unlimited-access member of Alterra's Ikon Pass even though Copper is not owned by Alterra. Copper also sells its own season pass that only costs $60 less than an Ikon Base Pass. Copper sells $99 lift tickets on Thursdays, but $264 walk-up lift tickets if you show up on certain Wednesdays or Fridays. Copper sits atop I-70, observing the antlines of inbound vehicles and saying “I'm flattered.” Copper greets its guests with a halfpipe that could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile. Copper just offered year-round skiing and didn't bother bragging about it until the whole thing was over. Copper lets you cut the line. Copper has quietly become some ninjitsu November training ground for the global ski-race community. Copper is parked in the middle of the most important ski county in the most important ski state in America.If anything is happening in skiing, Copper is dealing with it: expensive lift tickets, cheap season passes, easy access that may be a little too easy, ferocious competition in every direction. Because of its naturally divided terrain, ordered black to green as you sweep west across the mountain, Copper is often referred to as a nearly perfect ski area. And it is. But because of where it is and what it's chosen to become, the resort also happens to be the perfect thermometer for taking skiing's temperature. How we doing up there past 10,000? What's your story? What makes you special? Why should I drive past Keystone to ski here? Why shouldn't I just keep driving 20 minutes to Vail instead? Why, I'm asking, do you even exist?What I got wrongI said that certain old chairlifts had not yet been retrofit with safety bars; Lyman clarified that Copper had in fact updated the carriers on all of those lifts.Why you should ski Copper MountainHere are some things I remember about skiing Copper Mountain in 1995:* Riding a high-speed quad. Probably American Flyer but I can't say for sure. Four of us on the lift. My buddy Andy and two middle-aged fellows of indeterminant provenance. “My cat sleeps 22 hours a day and can catch a bird out of the air,” one says to the other. And I've never been able to stop thinking about the truth of that and how it's possible.* My room at the Foxpine Inn came with an underground parking space, which I declined to use until a New Year's snowstorm buried my poor little four-cylinder Ford Probe beneath an igloo. Rather than clean the car off, I leaned my head out the window and drove down the ramp to my parking spot below. Then all the snow melted. Easiest snow removal job ever.* Near the terminus of the long-gone B lift, a double chair displaced by Super Bee, a lightly treed knoll stood above the trails. I watched, awestruck, as a skier materialized from the forest depths above and trenched the newfallen snow and blasted down the fall-line with superhero poise and ease.* My first attempted powder turn, three minutes later, ended in a yardsale. This was in the flat just off of the lift unload. That ended up being a very long run.Modern Copper is more polished, better-lifted, more expensive, better known than the version I encountered on my first western ski trip 29 years ago. There's more ski terrain and a little pedestrian base village. I'm not certain that two eighteen-year-olds could still afford a room at the base of the chairlifts (Foxpine rates are not listed online). But what struck me on a return visit last winter, as much as the six-packs and the terrain parks and the base village that used to be a parking lot was how much Copper, despite all that investment, had retained a coziness that still makes it feel more like a ski area than a ski resort.Some of this humility, I suppose, is anchored in the mountain's profile. Copper doesn't have Breck's big exposed peaks or Vail's endless bowls or Beaver Creek's Grey Poupon trim. Copper doesn't give you cookies or promise you The Experience of a Lifetime. The mountain's core lifts are fast and modern, but Copper runs nearly as many fixed-grip chairs (9) as Vail (3), Beaver Creek (3), and Keystone (4), combined (10). But it works. Rather wonderfully, really. Go see for yourself.Podcast NotesOn Copper's masterplanCopper's most recent comprehensive Forest Service masterplan dates to 2011. A 2015 addendum focused mostly on summer activities. Here's an overview of what the 2011 plan imagined:A 2021 addendum added a new trail, which we discuss on the pod:On Copper Mountain's halfpipeI mean this thing is just so damn extra:On Summit County ski areas by sizeThe four Summit County ski areas compare favorably to one another, stats-wise. I'm going to go ahead and throw Loveland in there as an honorary member, since it's like two feet from Summit County:On the Slopes AppBeing Stats Tracker Bro, I am a loyalist to the Slopes app, which recently updated their static map with a zoomable version:Slopes is also handy in real-time, when I want to ensure that I've hit every trail on a mountain. Here's my map from Giants Ridge, Minnesota last winter (the big unskied trails in the middle were closed for racing):On SilvertonWhile I would expect Elvis to rise from the dead before we see another Breckenridge-style megaresort built in Colorado, developers have had some luck creating low-impact, low-infrastructure ski areas. The now-defunct Bluebird Backcountry, near Steamboat, operated with no lifts on private land. Silverton, in the state's southwest corner, operates out of a small parcel of private land and runs one double chair, which in turn opens up huge swaths of land under permit from the Bureau of Land Management. Any future big-mountain western developments will likely hinge on some version of a Silverton/Bluebird model. Here's Silverton's trailmap:And here's Bluebird's:On expansions Colorado ski areas have had great success expanding existing operations in recent years. Since 2012, nine large expansions have added more than 3,000 acres of high-quality terrain to the state's ski resorts. That's the equivalent of opening another Breckenridge, without all the outrage.On Snowbird's Freeloader PassCopper's adult season pass includes a free season pass for one child up to 15 years old. Sister resort Snowbird one-upped them last year by rolling out the same benefit and raising the age to 18. Lyman and I discuss Snowbird's move, and whether it will inspire a similar deal at Copper.On Copper's unlimited Ikon Pass accessOne of the strangest alliances in all of Megapass-dom is Copper's status as a stowaway unlimited Ikon Pass partner. Alterra has transformed the Ikon Pass into a season pass for all of its owned mountains except for Deer Valley and Arapahoe Basin, but it's also a de facto season pass for Powdr-owned Copper and Eldora. To confuse things further, Copper sells its own season pass that isn't much less expensive than an Ikon Base Pass. We discuss this whole dynamic on the pod, but here's where Alterra-owned mountains sit with Ikon Pass access, with Eldora and Copper slotted in for comparison:On Powdr owning Eldora “at least for now”Park City-based Powdr has owned Eldora, just under two hours northeast of Copper, since 2016. In August, the company announced that it had sold its Killington and Pico resorts to a group of local Vermont investors, and would soon put Eldora – along with Mt. Bachelor, Oregon and Silver Star, B.C. – up for sale as well.The Storm explores the world of lift-served skiing year-round. Join us.The Storm publishes year-round, and guarantees 100 articles per year. This is article 74/100 in 2024, and number 574 since launching on Oct. 13, 2019. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stormskiing.com/subscribe