The headline will have backcountry skiers screaming, “Nooooooooo!!!” But a proposed plan by Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort to build a roller coaster on Mount Superior isn’t quite like the image of a steel track winding down from the top of the peak to the resort. In fact, according to KSL, Save Our Canyons Executive Director Carl Fisher says “the conservation group is not opposing the project” but are “concerned about a bridge that will span the highway and the coaster’s visual impact.” Check out this artist rendering of what the roller coaster might look like:
Snowbird’s proposed roller coaster will apparently begin at the ski resort’s base area at the Snowbird Center, cross Little Cottonwood Canyon Road (Highway 210) via that new bridge, and stretch a few hundred feet up Mount Superior’s base. According to Snowbird, the roller coaster will only operate during the summer season, similar to the one at Park City Mountain Resort. The resort also says the structure would be 13 feet high, and people would be pulled 1,000 up Mount Superior’s slope before dropping down in “toboggan-style cars.”
Of course, backcountry skiers and canyon preservationists have been vocal opponents about any sort of new development on the north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Recent studies by Alta to install a ski lift on Flagstaff Peak incited an outcry that is still hotly debated among the outdoor community today.
On the other hand, in an effort to find new revenue streams, ski resorts have long been improving their summer operations to attract tourists. Evidence of this type of development has popped up on sides of mountains in the form of alpine slides and zip lines, so it’s no surprise that Snowbird is seeking approval for a roller coaster from Salt Lake County.
Update: On Wednesday, January 12, the Salt Lake County Planning Commission gave Snowbird preliminary approval to build the roller coaster on the slopes of Mount Superior. Snowbird also posted this response on their Facebook page:
“Yesterday we received preliminary approval to add a mountain coaster to our summer activities. This process will continue throughout the winter, working with organizations such as UDOT, SL Public Utilities and the SL County Planning Commission, before we have final approval to potentially build this summer.”
“For clarity on this proposed mountain coaster:
-Our summer activities have been growing in popularity year over year, and have played a large role in helping us stay economically successful in the non-winter months.
-This project will be located entirely on Snowbird’s private land. We’ve explored many other options in terms of placement but for a variety of reasons, this location made the most sense.
-If approved, we’re committed to making this project as low impact as possible to the surrounding environment, and integrated aesthetically with Little Cottonwood Canyon. As employees of Snowbird, recreationalists of LCC, and a full-time resident of this canyon, we are very sensitive to the issues that have been raised in public and private forums and will be doing our best to address them throughout this process.
-Snowbird has always supported, and will continue to support, the balance of managed sustainable recreation and designated wilderness lands.
-We’re continuing to work with the National Forest Service to offer expanded mountain bike offerings this summer and in future years.”
So what do you think about a roller coaster on Mount Superior? No big deal, or an atrocity that will scar Little Cottonwood’s most iconic mountain?
I say go for it. The “eyesore” part seems to me to be the only concern, and not much of a concern at that.
Dumb Crap idea for sure. Snow Bird’s Board has been spending too much time in Las Vegas, we do not need that junk on Superior. Anyone who is a back country skier knows that Superior is the prime back country ride of all time — maybe in the world?? Anyone who is opposed to this please write info@snowbird.com and tell these messed over money grubbers to build this on their South property, which they already are scamming from the public lands at a cost that is a Pittance compared to what they should be paying for this rental. They are complete wheel bumpers who care nothing for the wilderness. When this comes back to bite their asses, they will be up there with their cutting torches to pull this Junk off the mountain. Why not have some vision now??? — send to info@snowbird.com — No Coaster!!!
This is bullsh*t. I can not believe they are going to do this to the mountain. What is going to stop them from further developing the land after they put in chunks of metal on a beautiful mountain. This roller coaster will scar the mountain and encourage amusement park like activities. Little cottonwood should be a place to respect nature, and enjoy the outdoors. This peace will be disrupted by people looking for a cheap thrill. Also consider that if they are building this, it will attract many children which will require a ride up the mountain. Trust me, kids hate the bus. With this attraction, Yukon XL-Mini van-gas guzzling cars will be driving up the canyon polluting the land. I like the mountain as a place for tranquility and I will not stand for this development. I will fight however I can until this development idea is torn out of the brain of the scum who thought of it. If it happens then it will attract the wrong people- the skiers, the recreational enthusiasts will be gone.
I feel like the idea of any of these resorts is to enjoy the outdoors, and although this is achieved to a minimal degree with an “outdoorsy” roller coaster, it simply isn’t what people imagine when they come to a mountain resort. I feel a mountain bike trail/lift would far better fit the area. It lets snowbird spend its money, but creates a more environmentally fit attraction. Snowbird also stumbles upon the option of renting out bicycles — additional revenue.
Good question. If I were running Snowbird and this legislation took effect, I would focus much more summer attention on lift-serviced mountain biking than childish thrills on Disneyland-esque roller coasters.