Revived Fairview Canyon ski area advances expansion with new lift

FAIRVIEW, Utah — One year after welcoming the public back to the slopes for the first time in 46 years, Snowland is preparing for its next phase of development, with a new surface lift expected to expand access to more than 100 acres of ski terrain.

The nonprofit Snowland Foundation recently secured a 40-year special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, clearing the way for construction and other improvements at the ski area in Fairview Canyon, about an hour and a half south of Salt Lake City.

The Ridgeline Express surface lift is under construction, with goals to be operational this ski season. The project is backed in part by a $1.46 million state grant awarded in 2025 through Utah’s outdoor recreation funding programs.

The lift will stretch approximately 2,450 feet and use a surface-lift system similar to a T-bar or J-bar. Currently, Snowland’s only lift is an existing rope tow.

Snowland Foundation Chairman Brent Lange told FOX 13 that the new lift will allow the nonprofit to move beyond maintaining existing facilities and begin making longer-planned improvements.

The lift is also intended to make operations more manageable with a relatively small staff, supporting Snowland’s goal of remaining a modest, family-oriented ski area rather than developing into a large destination resort.

A community ski area returns

Snowland originally opened in 1967 and operated as a public ski area until 1980, when it closed amid rising insurance costs and permitting challenges.

The Snowland Foundation formed in 2025 to restore public skiing in partnership with Wasatch Academy and Snow College. The area reopened to the public Jan. 17, 2026, with rope-tow access and improvements to its lodge and facilities.

With the new lift, Snowland hopes to provide a safe way for visitors to access the mountain while preserving its role as an affordable place for families and beginners to ski.

Snowland’s website lists all-day lift tickets for the 2026-27 season at $20 for visitors, with children 12 and younger skiing free. Tickets are expected to become available in December.

The resort plans to operate on select days throughout the winter, with hours and operating dates subject to snow conditions.