Powder Mountain gets forest rezoning go-ahead, but not everyone’s on board

The resort, owned by Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, gets approval to rezone 1,621 acres from Forest Recreation to Resort Recreation.

CACHE COUNTY, Utah — Powder Mountain is one step closer to expanding its resort after the Cache County Council approved a major rezone request in late February, despite concerns about future development and affordability.

The council narrowly approved the change in a 4-3 vote, rezoning 1,621 acres from Forest Recreation (FR40) to Resort Recreation (RR). Councilmembers opposed to the decision, questioned why the entire parcel needed rezoning when only about 100 acres are currently planned for development.

What this means for skiers

The approval allows Powder Mountain to move forward with plans to expand both residential and commercial offerings, potentially bringing new lodging, amenities, and services to the resort. However, the details will be ironed out in an upcoming master plan, which will ultimately be approved by the Cache County Planning Commission.

Brooke Hontz, Powder Mountain’s chief development and construction officer, assured the council that the resort is committed to responsible development, with oversight from experienced planners. Cache County’s chief deputy executive, Dirk Anderson, added that the county will have input on the master plan and can impose conditions on approvals.

Skepticism over Powder Mountain’s promises

Skeptics on the council raised concerns about Powder Mountain’s track record of following through on commitments. Emails sent to council members accused the resort of failing to meet past legal and planning obligations. Council Chair Sandi Goodlander acknowledged that while Powder Mountain had a history of unmet promises, Weber County Commissioner James Harvey assured her that new ownership has significantly improved operations.

Since September 2023, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings has been the majority owner of Powder Mountain, a shift that some believe will bring more stability and accountability to the resort’s development.

Affordability concerns

One major point of contention was Powder Mountain’s lift ticket pricing. Councilmember Garrity presented research showing that Powder Mountain’s day pass for this Saturday is priced at $234—making it the third-most expensive resort in Utah. Meanwhile, other local resorts have rates around $60.

With the rezone approved, the next steps will involve Powder Mountain submitting a formal master plan, detailing exactly how the land will be developed. Skiers and locals alike will be watching closely to see if the resort delivers on its promises for a well-planned, accessible, and improved mountain experience.

The meeting can be viewed on Cache County’s website.