Reed Hastings invests $100 million into Powder Mountain

EDEN, Utah — Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix has made a $100 million investment into Powder Mountain Ski Resort. According to a press release from the resort, Hastings is now the majority owner of the resort. 

The investment “signals a new era for the mountain resort known for its daily lift ticket caps and uncrowded visitor experience,” said the press release. 

A portion of the investment will go toward expanding skiable terrain. Other portions will go to creating a new Nordic skiing and snowshoe trail system. 

The improvements will “support the progression of all levels, abilities, and ages on the mountain,” said the press release. 

Hastings said his, and his wife’s, love of the resort motivated the decision to invest. “[My wife and I] love the vastness of the terrain, and we love the community. We’re looking to accentuate what has always made it special. We’ll do that by making it more easily accessible, by bolstering infrastructure and amenities, and by maintaining the uncrowded feel Powder Mountain is known for.”

2023/24 upgrades

Visitors can expect several improvements to the resort, the press release said. 

Beginning this winter, Powder Mountain will include access to 500 acres of backcountry terrain. The press release said it is “some of the steepest terrain accessible” from the resort.  Referred to as “DMI,” the name for the new terrain is short for “don’t mention it.”

The new terrain will offer skiers views of the Eden Valley and Ogden Divide. The terrain will challenge skiers with a 3,000-foot vertical drop.  For safety reasons, guests will only be able to ski the terrain during guided experiences. 

The resort will also offer a new network of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Offering guests “additional ways to get onto the snow,” there will also be an on-trail warming hut. 

The new activity center will be dubbed the Launch Pad Yurt. It will open in December, according to the press release. The Launch Pad Yurt will offer several activities, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and moonbike and snowmobile tours. 

Finally, the resort’s press release said there are “major upgrades” coming to the beginner experience. Upgrades to instructional terrain and infrastructure at the Sundown Lodge have been designed with progression in mind. Beginner skiers can expect re-graded terrain with progression in mind, and the conversion of “Tiger Towline” to “Sunkid Magic Carpet.”

At the time of writing this, Powder Mountain has not made its opening date for the 2023/24 season available on its website. 

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