Grassroots Initiative Proposes First-Ever Publicly Owned Ski Resort in Utah to Combat Rising Costs and Crowding

A new grassroots organization, the Utah Public Ski Area Coalition (UPSAC), has officially launched a historic campaign to bring a publicly owned, resident-first mountain resort to Northern Utah. Founded by lifelong Utah resident Clint Richins, the nonprofit initiative aims to address the skyrocketing prices and mounting congestion at the state's traditional commercial resorts, ensuring that local families are not priced out of "The Greatest Snow on Earth".

Over the past two decades, the cost of single-day lift tickets at top-tier Wasatch resorts has surged, frequently exceeding $350 during peak windows. While overall skier visits have grown rapidly across the state, the supply of skiable terrain has remained largely stagnant, resulting in historic crowding, complicated parking reservation systems, and a steep financial barrier for occasional and beginner skiers.

UPSAC’s proposal offers a practical solution: a modest, state-supported ski and snowboard area focused strictly on affordable winter recreation rather than luxury real estate or high-end tourism amenity expansions.

"I only want to do this if the data shows it makes sense, and I have absolutely no interest in raising taxes," said Clint Richins, Founder of UPSAC. "There are already more than 50 successful nonprofit, community, or municipal ski areas operating across the United States. Utah has a unique window of opportunity—especially as we prepare to host the 2034 Winter Olympics—to invest directly in a sustainable, community-focused mountain that puts local families first."

The coalition has already established a robust framework, backed by comprehensive financial planning, mapping expertise, and ongoing discussions with regional stakeholders, including the U.S. Forest Service and the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.