Park City, UT – It’s been a November to remember in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, where some resorts have already passed the 100-inch season to date snowfall mark. But one of the region’s ski resorts has delayed its opening by two weeks, and it has nothing to do with snowfall.nCanyons Resort near Park City this summer embarked upon a major transformation that included installing a new heated bubble chair six-pack and realigning the gondola, the two lifts that provide the only access from the base area to the rest of the mountain. Construction delays have forced the resort to move its scheduled opening from Nov. 26 to Dec. 10, now one of the latest opening dates in the state.
These delays aren’t sitting well with the resort’s season pass holders. The news of a delayed season opening was first confirmed via press release issued on Nov. 19, a week before the originally scheduled opening date. While the statement referenced the construction taking place, no direct tie-in was drawn therein.
“In conjunction with the re-creation of Utah’s largest resort, we have made a commitment to our guests to provide a much improved product – not only throughout the season, but particularly on Opening Day,” Managing Director Mike Goar was quoted as saying in the press release. “This includes the operation of the newly positioned Red Pine Gondola, the new Orange Bubble Express, as well as the Short Cut, Saddleback and High Meadow lifts. In addition, our vastly improved snowmaking system will enable us to provide the ability for guests to ski or ride to the ski beach on Opening Day.
“This summer an enormous team of professionals worked tirelessly on the numerous projects we are undertaking,” added Goar. “Everyone is incredibly excited to show off all the hard work that went into making Canyons a preeminent destination in the country. We are very proud of the work we have done and can’t wait to welcome our guests to the resort this season.”
Calls by First Tracks!! Online to Canyons Resort personnel seeking comment were not returned. A flurry of angry customer posts quickly filled the resort’s official Facebook page. In response, Goar published an open letter to customers that confirmed that construction delays were responsible for the delayed season opening at Canyons.
“A number of the projects were not able to begin until mid to late June due to circumstances beyond our control but I take full responsibility,” Goar wrote in part. “I am immensely proud of the hard work our team has put in under a demanding schedule. A number of the projects are complete while others are 7 – 14 days behind schedule. I am disappointed that these delays have caused us to push back our opening date. There is always the chance that resorts might not open on their projected opening dates but you have my commitment that we will always do our best to get people on the hill safely and as early in the season as we possibly can.”
To make amends, Goar concluded the letter by offering two complimentary day passes to all season pass holders to give to family or friends. At present, all indications are that Canyons Resort will open as indicated on Dec. 10.