The People’s Hill: How a Small Utah Ski Area Is Being Revived with Free Access
A once-abandoned ski hill in central Utah is preparing for a second life this winter, marking the state’s first new public ski area in six years. Snowland, a small slope tucked in Fairview Canyon, is set to reopen in December under the guidance of the non-profit Snowland Foundation. The group plans to offer free lift access during the first two seasons as it works out long-term ticketing and operations.
The original Snowland Ski Area, founded in 1967 by Fairview resident Jerry Nelson, operated until 1980 before closing due to high insurance costs and regulatory hurdles. In the years that followed, local families continued to use the hillside for sledding and skiing. The new Snowland is intended to be a community hub with a focus on affordability and safety. The hill sits on U.S. Forest Service land and will operate under a conditional-use permit.
The state helped move the project forward with a $1 million grant from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, and the foundation has reported more than $200,000 in donations. A renovated cabin at the base of the hill will host concessions, bathrooms, and a new office for Sanpete County Search and Rescue. A larger parking lot has also been built to reduce roadside hazards.
When lifts begin spinning, Snowland will become Utah’s 16th public ski area and the first addition since Woodward Park City opened in 2019. The non-profit expects to eventually introduce modest ticketing with $20 day passes and less than $100 season passes, but they do not plan to charge until at least the 2027-28 season.
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Longer-term plans include yurts, a third lift, and expanded summer use such as mountain biking. Local residents are already generating excitement, with families who once used makeshift shuttles now anticipating a safer and more accessible experience. If the non-profit meets its goals, Snowland will return as one of Utah’s smallest ski areas, but also one of its most community-driven.
You can check out the full FOX 13 News Utah video on their YouTube channel to see the full story and get a first look at the revived mountain.
