This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Provo • When Snowbird is ready to expand into Utah County, it could build ski lifts, zip lines, alpine slides, even mountain coasters.
At least so says the Utah County Commission, whichunanimously voted recently to allow such development in the critical environment zone. Commission Chairman Gary Anderson said the ordinance was primarily written for Snowbird, part of which laps over the Salt Lake/Utah County line into American Fork Canyon.
"They have done wonders with the environment," Anderson said.
Emily Moench, Snowbird's communications manager, said the resort is expanding, but does not have any immediate plans to build attractions on the Utah County side of the mountain.
So far, Salt Lake County has effectively blocked Snowbird's request to build a coaster on Mount Superior.
Moench said the resort has no current plans to build a coaster in either county.
As for neighboring Utah County, the newly approved zoning is a matter of preparation for the future, as well as the changing nature of the ski business.
"It is appropriate and critical," Moench said, "that zoning ordinances reflect the evolving landscape of four-season mountain resorts and guest expectations."
But Carl Fisher, executive director of Save Our Canyons, worries about the area's environmental future.
"We like using Snowbird, but it is their use of the property that is troubling," Fisher said. "It seems to have transformed from a ski resort to a developer that is building an amusement park."
Fisher said his group unsuccessfully tried to persuade the Utah County Planning Commission to limit the ordinance to just ski lifts. The other features, he said, would just encourage development in sensitive areas.
He said Snowbird could seek approval for a lodge and restaurant because there are so many people using the American Fork Canyon area. The next step then would be to build a road from the canyon, allowing visitors to reach the resort from that side.
Jeff Mendenhall, Utah County's community development director, said it is unlikely Snowbird would use the ordinance to bring those types of development. The latest change would not support any upgrades beyond ski lifts and rides, he said, and a lodge, restaurant or road would require a further rezone.
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