Until further notice, Scotts Bowl and West Scott Bowl, located off of the Jupiter chairlift at Park City Mountain Resort, will be closed for public skiing and snowboarding. KPCW’s Leslie Thatcher has more.
Skiers looking for some fresh powder at Scott’s Bowl this week were turned away when ski patrollers told them that the area was closed due to it being private property and the resort hadn’t secured a lease renewal.
Much of the skiing in Jupiter - including the Jupiter chairlift - is on property owned by Alterra Mountain Company – the new owner of Deer Valley Resort. However, the parcel that accesses Scotts Bowl is part of what’s known as the Silver King Mine Lease and because it’s mining claims, the property isn’t assessed by Summit County, so the property owner isn’t listed on tax records. The resort told KPCW the property owner is the Silver King Mining Company.
Park City Mountain spokesperson Margo Van Ness tells KPCW that signs and ropes indicating the closure are posted and all terrain will be closed in between Scotts Bowl and the Constellation run. The signs warns guest to Stop - that there is no public lands access beyond the rope. All backcountry access must be from designated exits only from the 9990 and Peak 5 chairlifts. Any other unauthorized exit from the resort boundaries is a violation of a Summit County ordinance.
Van Ness says skiers and riders will still be able access open terrain off of Pinecone Ridge via the mid-station of the Quicksilver Gondola from Limelite to Two Goons.
After more than fourteen years, Van Ness says the private land owner has chosen not to renew the lease with Park City Mountain The resort she says is continuing conversations with the property owner, but it’s likely that this area will not open for the 2018-19 season. Fortunately, she says the rest of the terrain surrounding Jupiter Lift will be open for normal operations this season.
