When tickets to the Snowland Recreation and Education Area’s grand opening became available, Utah skiers and snowboarders were ready.
Less than an hour after the button to reserve the free tickets went live on the Snowland website Tuesday afternoon, all 50 passes had been claimed.
“Who knew people were sitting there ready to pull the trigger on the on the website?” asked Brent Lange, chair of the nonprofit Snowland Foundation Inc.
The nonprofit has revived the Fairview Canyon ski area and plans to open it Saturday. It will be the first time since Snowland Ski Area closed in 1980 that the public will be able to use the community hill’s lone tow rope.
(Brent Lange) Preparations at Snowland ski area near Fairview on Dec. 11, 2025.
Interest in Snowland’s revival has been high despite its size — it has just two runs — and its location two hours south of Salt Lake City. Much of that is due to the nonprofit’s promise that use of the lift will remain free during the 2025-26 season.
“We’ve got a tiger by the tail here,” Lange said, “but it’s good.”
Tickets to use the tow rope had to be limited to 50, Lange said, to account for the ski area’s small parking area and general size. Only carpools will be able to park in the 30-stall lot, according to the Snowland website. And with little natural snow this season and no snowmaking, Lange said the runs may be showing dirt by the end of the day.
People who were not able to secure lift tickets are not completely out of luck, however. They will still be able to use their vehicles to shuttle skiers and snowboarders from the bottom of the hill to the top. That has been a common practice since the original Snowland closed 45 years ago, and was the impetus for the ski area’s revival.
Those familiar with the hill may take notice of the expanded lodge that houses bathrooms, a ski patrol room and a grill.
A second, surface lift is slated for use next season. At that time, the ski area will begin charging for lift use, Lange said. He added, however, that the nonprofit is dedicated to keeping lift prices low.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Jim Cheney, Chris McCandless, Stacee McIff and Brent Lange at Snowland ski area in Fairview Canyon on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.
For now, though, Lange said the idea is to keep the ski area lowkey.
“We’re just gonna lay low,” he said, “and just let it be what it is.”
Snowland’s tow lift underwent a Utah Tramway inspection Tuesday, which prevented lift tickets from becoming available until midafternoon. The ski area is still awaiting an inspection by its insurance company.
Snowland will be open Saturdays and holidays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Saturday until mid-March, conditions permitting.