Snowbird’s controversial plan to expand their ski resort boundaries into Mary Ellen Gulch got closer to reality last week, when the Utah County Board of Adjustment gave approval for Snowbird to build lifts in American Fork Canyon on private property owned by the resort.
According to SkiUtah, the decision was unanimous. Snowbird was granted approval on two conditional use permits after negotiations with the City of American Fork, brought community support and a formal resolution to concerns over water quality in American Fork Canyon. All environmental conditions required under Utah County code were met or exceeded by Snowbird’s plan for operational expansion into upper American Fork Canyon.
“We’re very excited about the permit approval from the Utah County Board of Adjustment, the new lifts planned for Mineral Basin and Mary Ellen Gulch will greatly expand the year-round recreational opportunities at Snowbird,” said Bob Bonar, President and CEO of Snowbird. “We have over 45 years of proven stewardship in Little Cottonwood Canyon, the same balance, protection and in some cases recovery of the environment will be practiced in Mary Ellen Gulch.”
Snowbird will not begin any lift or gondola construction for at least two years, while a detailed water analysis is performed in key areas of Mary Ellen Gulch. A baseline of water quality standards must be drawn in order to compare future water quality measurements against current levels. Water quality measuring is to be performed monthly, with quarterly reports submitted to Utah County agencies for independent review.
Once water monitoring studies are completed by Snowbird, two new chairlifts will be added on private property along the southern boundary of Snowbird’s current terrain. Mineral Basin Express will also be upgraded to increase rider capacity. A new lift in Mary Ellen Gulch will provide access to Sunday Saddle, which borders both Mary Ellen Gulch and Mineral Basin, allowing for access to new resort terrain. A gondola spanning from Hidden Peak to Mary Ellen Gulch will also be built as part of the expansion project recently approved under the permits filed by Snowbird. The gondola will also support a zip line system.
According to Snowbird, the new lifts and gondola in Mary Ellen Gulch will add 500 acres to the resort’s footprint, for a total of 3,000 acres of skiable terrain.
But not everybody is happy about Snowbird’s expansion approval. The group Protect and Preserve American Fork Canyon says this encroachment into the canyon will be the first step towards “rampant commercialism and development.” They believe that American Fork Canyon is one of the few remaining canyons on the Wasatch Front that is still pristine, and that ski resort expansion will destroy the wilderness qualities of the upper canyon. They plan on appealing Utah County’s decision in the 4th District Court. In addition, Snowbird still has to get approval at both the state and federal levels before construction can begin.