Netflix Co-Founder Invests $100m in Powder Mountain
11th September 2023
Last modified on September 18th, 2023
Reed Hastings is now the majority shareholder in Powder Mountain in Utah and is investing $100m. It is one of PlanetSKI’s favourite ski areas in the US.
The sale has been confirmed and the investment will further improve the ski area.
The upgrades and improvements are focused on “the progression of beginner skiers and riders as well as providing new access points to explore the expansive terrain,” according to a press release.
They include:
- A new magic carpet
- An upgraded ski school facility
- Snowmaking on Sundown mountain
- A new cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trail network
- Open access to 500 acres of some of the steepest terrain accessible from the mountain
- Night skiing lift tickets at $19 every night
The resort says that more is planned and the $100m is just the start.
Powder Mountain, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI
We reported on the move earlier on PlanetSKI:
“This is an investment in what we consider to be the ultimate skier experience,” said Reed Hastings.
“My wife Patty and I love this place; we love the untracked powder several days after a storm cycle, we 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.”
Powder Mountain, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI
Powder Mountain, Utah. Image © PlanetSKI
PlanetSKI has visited Powder Mountain several times:
And below we reproduce the article on an earlier visit as our editor James Cove was at the start of the road trip back in 2017:
Next up Powder Mountain.
The approach to Powder Mountain is an experience in itself.
Powder Mountain, Utah
It is an upside-down resort – the road takes you to the top of the resort and then you ski down.
If I had been asked to name the biggest resorts in North America yesterday I would have said Whistler, Sun Peaks and Lake Louise in Canada plus Vail and Park City in the USA.
Today I have to add Powder Mountain.
Technically Powder Mountain is the biggest of them all with 8,400 skiable acres.
Whistler claims the biggest with 8,200 skiable acres.
It doesn’t seem to bother Powder Mountain.
“We are not really into claiming this, that and the other but, yeah, I suppose we are if you include our cat that takes people that little but further up and gives access to some of the best skiing in the resort,” said the marketing manager of the resort, Jean-Pierre Goulet.
Yours truly
The cat is one of the highlights of the resort.
I had heard of Powder Mountain but never skied here before and I was bowled over by the place.
It has something for everyone with some easy groomers to something more challenging for advanced skiers.
Powder Mountain, Utah
Powder Mountain, Utah
And best of all it is deserted. As I mention in the frst video it will only sell 2,000 tickets per day and that means you pretty much have the slopes to yourself.
Powder Mountain, Utah
“I grew up in Ogden and I have only ever skied in Snowbasin and Powder Mountain. Why would I want to go anywhere else?” said Jessica Bischoff, my guide round the resort for the day.
“Even if you are from the other side of the world the moment you get here you feel like a local.”
I could only agree.
100%.
Jessica – Powder Mountain, Utah
Like Snowbasin it has had huge amounts of snow.
This sign normally sits on top of the snow, but this year it had to be dug out.
Powder Mountain, Utah
The lifties say “have a nice day” and all the rest of it, but they do it with sincerity.
They have been doing it for a while.
Powder Mountain, Utah
The best adjective to describe it is one, sadly, I rarely use – “authentic”.
All the people here are real skiers and there are few frills.
“We are a community here and we want to preserve things the way they are,” Jean-Pierre Goulet said to me.
Lunch was at the Powder Keg.
Powder Mountain, Utah
I walked in with Iggy Pop being pumped out.
We continued through Devo, Blondie and a host of other tunes from my youth.
As I left it was The Clash – “Should I stay or should I go?”
It seemed apt as tomorrow this part of the ski road trip ends.
Alf is heading back to Europe and I am heading from Utah to neighbouring Colorado – Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin await before I then head north to Canada.
Should I stay or should I go?
I will be going but I would sure as hell like to stay.
I have been massively surprised by Ogden and its ski areas.
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