Iconic Town Lift property sale marks the end of an era for Sweeney family

Park City Photo: Park City Chamber/Bureau.

'Vail had the chance to buy it before but hasn’t shown clear interest,” Sweeney said. “There are compelling cases for various parties to own it, whether it’s Vail, the city, or someone else.'

PARK CITY, Utah – A cornerstone of Park City’s history is poised for change as the Sweeney family has decided to list its remaining land holdings near the iconic Town Lift for sale. The decision marks a new chapter in a story that stretches back decades, in a ski town shaped in part by the Sweeney family’s vision.

Recent legal complexities have lead the Sweeney brothers to seek terminating a longstanding agreement with Vail Resorts that will impact the future of Park City Mountain’s historic lift that connects the ski resort to bars, restaurants and shopping on Main Street.

Though the future is unclear, officials at Vail Resorts and the Sweeney’s themselves say Town Lift will likely operate as is for the short term. But once the sale of the property that includes the base of Town Lift and the Town Lift plaza is finalized, the old fixed grip-triple will likely be replaced with something newer and faster and a bit of historical nostalgia that has connected the ski resort to an older, simpler time will be lost.

A change in ownership of the Town Lift property will also mark the end of an era of sorts for Park City. The Sweeney family, long-time stewards of Park City, made a landmark decision to sell their 123-acre Treasure Hill land to Park City Municipal in 2019 for $64M. The historic transaction preserved the archetypal property as open space, ensuring its protection from large-scale development that had sparked years of community debate. The sale was funded in part through bonds approved by Park City voters.

The Sweeney family, whose roots in the area date back to Park City’s mining days, had originally envisioned development on Treasure Hill but ultimately prioritized the town’s desire to safeguard its natural beauty and recreational character. According to Pat Sweeney, one of three brothers who manage the family’s land holdings, the sale of the Town Lift property is the last remaining significant land holding owned by the Sweeney family.

A Family Legacy Rooted in Park City
The Sweeney family came to Park City back in the early 20th century when their timber mill, originally stationed where the Jordanelle Reservoir is today, supplied materials to United Park City Mines. During the later part of the mining era the Sweeney family began acquiring land in Park City at low costs due to the town’s economic struggles after the mines closed.

This relationship paved the way for the family’s pivotal role in transitioning Park City from a fading mining town to a thriving ski destination. In the 1960s, the Sweeneys, along with partners, played a key role in establishing Park City Mountain Resort. They contributed land and collaborated with United Park City Mines to secure funding for the ski area.

“My father and his brother saw the potential for Park City to become a ski town like Aspen when it was little more than a ghost town,” Pat Sweeney said during a recent interview with TownLift. “The mines were shut down. They bought a lot of the property in the area for back taxes, and then they gave about half of that to the mining company to entice them to get an industrial revenue bond and start to parse the amount. And, you know, it took about several years before they actually started the lifts running in the mid 60s.”

The Town Lift, wasn’t built for years later in the 80s when the owner of Park City Mountain along with members of the Sweeney family and Blaine Huntsman decided they should build a lift to give local residents a convenient connection to the resort.

“It was a cool idea,” noted Sweeney.

The agreement for the lift was inked in 1981, and by 1984, it was operational. Since then Town Lift has become a signature element of Park City.

The $10 Lease and Its Impact
The Sweeney family’s lease agreement with Park City Mountain, which allowed for the construction and operation of Town Lift, included an arrangement that set the annual fee due to the Sweeney’s at just $10. Sweeney said it was designed to keep operational costs low for the resort while covering real estate taxes on the easements. This long-standing arrangement has benefited both the resort and the local economy, but recent legal challenges have brought new scrutiny to its terms.

The land listing comes as the Sweeney family navigates a legal dispute with Vail Resorts, the current owner of Park City Mountain. The lawsuit, filed by the Sweeney’s in Third District Court, alleges noncompliance with insurance requirements and indemnity terms specified in the Town Lift agreement. While the case progresses, the family emphasized that operations of the Town Lift are unlikely to be disrupted this ski season.

“We’re not seeking to shut the lift down immediately, however, the outcome of the lawsuit could eventually necessitate renegotiating how the lift operates,” Sweeney said.

The Decision to Sell
After the lawsuit was filed, the Sweeney family also announced that they intended to sell the Town Lift property at a listing price of $27M. Sweeney said he and his brothers had been deliberating the sale for years, citing the inevitability of change and the challenges of maintaining it. “We’ve gotten older, and it’s time,” Sweeney said. The property will be listed with Legend Partners LLC, led by a Sweeney family member.

While the eventual buyer remains uncertain, speculation abounds regarding potential interest from Vail Resorts, the City of Park City, or other private investors. The family has not received formal interest from Vail Resorts, despite prior discussions about a possible purchase.

“Vail had the chance to buy it before but hasn’t shown clear interest,” Sweeney said. “There are compelling cases for various parties to own it, whether it’s Vail, the city, or someone else.”

Both Vail Resorts and Park City officials declined to comment on the possibility of purchasing the Town Lift property.

“We have valued our relationship with the Sweeney family and complied with and respected our agreements related to the Town Lift Plaza. Town Lift will begin daily operations mid-December,” Park City Mountain Resort COO, Deirdre Walsh said.

The land is expected to officially hit the market in early December.