After weighing private property rights against well-established public access, the Cache County Council will allow Powder Mountain to build a private ski lift and maintenance shack this summer. However, the Eden-area resort’s plan to build nine miles of trails for an “art hike” has been put on hold.
In a split decision, the council voted Tuesday night to suspend its rules and grant Powder Mountain a development agreement to build a lift in the Davenport area on the north side of the resort. The lift passed with a 4-2 vote with councilmembers Nolan Gunnell and Keegan Garrity opposing it. Garrity voted in favor of approving the maintenance shop in a 5-1 decision.
Powder Mountain requested an expedited decision from the council because it does not have an approved master plan in place and wants to complete the projects before the start of the 2025-26 ski season. The resort submitted a master plan to the Cache County Planning Commission last October, but due to staffing shortages in the county’s planning and development office, the commission has not yet reviewed the proposal. At an April meeting, the commission nevertheless recommended approval of the three projects.
“The master plan shows interest in private and public balance,” Garrity said, “but I don’t want to dismiss the concerns that have been brought up that the master plan hasn’t been approved yet. And even though there’s intent, it’s not formal, so I’m hesitant to approve this one.”
This marks the second summer that Powder Mountain has asked the council to circumvent the standard process and approve developments without a master plan in place. Last spring, the council approved the construction of two lifts, one public and one private, that the resort promised visitors and residents would be operational by this ski season.
Addressing the council Tuesday, opponents of the projects said they worry that if Cache County continues to take a piecemeal approach to approving developments, Powder Mountain’s operators will have no incentive to keep the greater public good in mind. In particular, they voiced concern about the resort pricing out locals or shutting out the public entirely.
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