Snowbird, UT – As part of Snowbird’s proposed expansion into Mary Ellen Gulch, the Utah ski and snowboard resort has filed for an amendment to its master plan that calls for a second aerial tram from Hidden Peak to the 11,489-foot summit of West Twin Peak.
The 780-acre, above-treeline Mary Ellen Gulch lies to the immediate west of Mineral Basin. In addition to the proposed Tram, Snowbird’s plan also calls for an expansion of the Mineral Basin Express lift by 50 percent, and a third lift to carry skiers and riders from Mary Ellen Gulch back to the lengthened Mineral Basin Express. If approved, the expansion would increase Snowbird’s current 3,240-foot vertical drop to 3,729 vertical feet.
 
Utah’s Snowbird is proposing to add Mary Ellen Gulch, seen here, to its in-bounds ski and snowboard terrain. |
The master plan amendment was proposed last month to the U.S. Forest Service’s Salt Lake Ranger District, which is expected to act on the proposal by this fall. If approved, it will require a full-blown Environmental Impact Statement and is sure to draw the ire of local environmental groups, such as Save Our Canyons. Mary Ellen Gulch, however, lies outside of the Salt Lake watershed.
Snowbird already owns about half of Mary Ellen Gulch through acquisition of mining claims. The Forest Service owns the remaining land.
The proposal seems to fit well with the Wasatch wilderness proposal being touted by U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), which could exchange Snowbird-owned land on the north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon on Mounts Flagstaff and Superior for land in Mary Ellen Gulch.
Snowbird’s master plan amendment also calls for expanded beginner terrain on the north side of Little Cottonwood Creek, directly adjacent to the current Baby Thunder chairlift, as well as night skiing from the Gadzoom lift in Gad Valley.