RESORT PROFILE
surveys,” said Megan Collins, communications and events
specialist at Snowbasin Resort. “We like to say that the resort
is a touch of luxury, but accessible for everyone.”
In 1941, Norwegian-American brothers and well-known
ambassadors for the sport of skiing in the U.S., Sverre
and Corey Engen opened Snowbasin’s first ski school
and established a decades-long tradition for snowsports
training excellence. The resort was awarded the 2017-18
Conversion Cup Award by the National Ski Area Association
(NSAA), recognizing its efforts in building the best beginner
snowsports program in the U.S.
Snowbasin’s three-year ‘Learn and Earn Program’ is
designed to teach ‘never-ever’ skiers and snowboarders
within a comfortable, encouraging and welcoming
environment at a great value, and turn them into snowsports
enthusiasts for life. In the first year, participants receive three
all-day lessons, rental equipment for the season and a season
pass after completing all three lessons. In the next year, the
Learn and Earn graduates can purchase ski or snowboarding
equipment and a heavily-discounted season pass, and are
given three all-day lessons to help further refine their skills.
The third year offers those who have participated in the first
two years a heavily discounted season pass, private lessons to
perfect their skills, as well as other perks.
On average, Snowbasin has welcomed 1,500 new skiers
and riders into the sport each year since the program started,
with an 82 percent retention rate through the three years.
“We are proud that we have found a program that works,”
said Collins. “Most people have a special place in their heart
for the ski resort they learned to ski or ride at, and Snowbasin
is now that ski resort. There are many people who don’t
embrace the ski industry here in Utah, so we still have lots of
room to grow, so programs like this are not only important to
Snowbasin, but the industry as a whole.”
At Snowbasin, guests are able to spend more time on
the slopes and less time riding lifts to get where they want
to go. The resort currently has 11 lifts (soon to be 12) on
the mountain: two eight-person Doppelmayr gondolas
(8-minute ride); a 15-person Doppelmayr tram (2-minute
ride); two four-person, high-speed detachable Doppelmayr
chairlifts (10-minute ride); a six-person, high-speed
detachable Doppelmayr chairlift (5-minute ride); a three-person
Stadeli, a three-person Thiokol and a three-person
CTEC (all 12-minute rides); and two SunKid Conveyors. This
winter, Snowbasin will be adding a tow rope to help access its
Wildcat Express from the base area.
Snowbasin grooms 57 of its 106 trails with 14 Prinoth
snowcats (two of which are winch models) on a nightly
basis; with seven machines on each shift between swing and
graveyard. For snowmaking, the resort uses TechnoAlpin
automatic air/water guns and hydrants, as well as automatic
fan guns by SMI Snowmakers to cover more than 600 acres.
Many of its TechnoAlpin guns are the eco-friendlier Rubis Evo
model, which offers a higher degree of control over energy
consumption. Snowbasin strives to optimize its snowmaking
operations and looks for the best way to get the most snow
for the least amount of energy.
The health and safety of its guests and staff has always
been a top priority for Snowbasin Resort. As part of this, the
resort recently created the new position of health and safety
director to implement new safety measures, and have added
baffling and signage, and staff to help educate skiers about
space and speed; and to shift the resort’s culture towards
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SNOWBASIN RESORT
Earl’s Lodge at Snowbasin Resort
Earl’s Lodge set up for a gathering (pre-COVID-19)
6 January 2021 | snowopsmag.com
/snowopsmag.com
