Powder Mountain to develop art exhibit across its terrain

Powder Mountain. Photo: Tristan Sadler

EDEN, Utah — Powder Mountain Ski Resort is developing a public art exhibit featuring large sculptures and land art throughout the resort’s skiable terrain.

Powder Mountain resort, established in 1972 and recently acquired by Netflix co-founder and former CEO Reed Hastings, is attempting to transform into a multi-seasonal destination.

“At Powder, we want every experience —from the ski resort to the residential community to the outdoor art museum—to be intentional, and the integration of art into the mountain is a manifestation of that consideration,” Reed Hastings, Chairman of Powder Mountain said.

“We aim to transform Powder into a multi-season destination that blends recreation, art, and meaningful connection for our entire community.”

The grand opening of the new art program is scheduled for 2026, and selected artworks will be on view beginning in the 2024-2025 ski season.

The inaugural round of permanent acquisitions and site-specific commissions features notable works by several acclaimed artists.

James Turrell’s walk-in light installation Ganzfeld Apani, originally commissioned for and displayed at the 54th Venice Biennale, will be installed in a new trailside pavilion within the mountain’s 156 ski runs and extensive hiking and biking trails.

A significant 1980s work by Nancy Holt will be permanently executed at Powder Mountain in collaboration with the Holt/Smithson Foundation.

Additionally, Jenny Holzer will create a new series of text-based engravings on rock, and Utah native Paul McCarthy will develop an immersive installation inspired by the mythology of the American West.

“I grew up in Utah, and the influence of Utah and its mountains has been a critical part of my work. A core subject, sitting in both my subconscious and conscious mind. I am excited to have the opportunity to realize a work in that landscape and to be a part of building something special at Powder Mountain,” McCarthy said. 

The first round of commissions will also feature EJ Hill, who, following his solo presentation of a functional roller coaster at MASS MoCA, will design a site-specific installation for two of the mountain’s new ski lifts.

Arthur Jafa, Nikita Gale, Gala Porras-Kim, and Raven Halfmoon are also contributing to the project, and more artists will be announced in the coming months.

Powder Mountain will be free and open to the public for hiking and biking during summer and fall seasons and accessible by for-purchase lift tickets and season passes during winter ski season.

The new art exhibit will be free and open to the public for hiking and biking in the summer and fall and will be accessible in the winter by skiing to lift ticket and pass holders for no additional fee.

The project will be supported by the Powder Art Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the legacy of land art and supporting the vision of contemporary artists on Powder Mountain. 

“What would a resort look like if it was designed – or reimagined – by artists,” said Powder’s chief creative officer, Alex Zhang. “The vision we’re sharing today for Powder’s future preserves a public ski experience that’s sacred while introducing a new cultural institution component by integrating art into the recreation experience. Siting works very intentionally throughout our public ski resort in ways that preserve the incredible terrain while bringing something completely new to the mountains.”