EDEN – Powder Mountain Ski Resort is preparing to offer guests a new experience – an art gallery – as the 2025-2026 ski season begins.
But this isn't your typical indoor gallery.
Ashton Stronks, senior communications director for Powder Mountain Ski Resort, told the Standard-Examiner in an email that the project has been in the works for more than a year.
“In 2024, we announced our plans to host a drive-through outdoor art museum and established the Powder Art Foundation at Powder Mountain to integrate new and historic works throughout the resort,” she said. “This fall, we announced the first series of permanent artworks ahead of the 2025-26 ski season. On the other side of the mountain, the artworks managed by the Powder Art Foundation will be carefully integrated into the environment to create a dramatic sense of place, guided by the best ecological design principles, allowing every visitor to immerse themselves deeply in nature.”
She said the pieces are intended to become part of the landscape rather than detract from it.
“At the heart of the Powder Art Foundation’s work is a deep respect for the landscape,” she said. “Powder Mountain is not a passive backdrop, but a living, dynamic environment whose topography, vegetation and elemental forces shape each artwork and visitor experience. Each project is designed with an ecological ethos that emphasizes minimal intervention, resiliency and long-term stewardship, ensuring that both art and the environment grow richer over time. Visitors can access the artworks in winter with a lift ticket or a Powder Mountain season pass. Access will be via hikes and trails in the coming summer and fall months Hikes will be free and cycle paths open to the public.”
Stronks said there will be 11 pieces on the resort's slopes this year and that the goal is to make it a dynamic experience over the years.
“Our goal is to reinterpret the fundamental aspects of an alpine resort through the eyes of artists who create works that respond to the mountain’s rugged topography, unique infrastructure, history and community,” she said. “Land Art promotes a physically active engagement with works of art. Visitors to Powder Mountain move outside the traditional sculpture park format and well beyond walking and looking, experiencing art in unique ways. The idea is that every day at Powder Mountain is filled with stories, conversation starters, moments of introspection and points of connection. An exceptionally diverse range of artists, materials and approaches to working in the land is what defines the Powder Art Foundation program, with the goal of sustained engagement, repeat visits and shared discovery Some will be part of the permanent collection, others will be on loan.”
She added that a ski resort art project of this magnitude is unique to Powder Mountain.
“Much of the inspiration for the collection comes from Utah and the surrounding region,” she said. “The area represents one of the world's most important geographies for visionary engagement with the landscape, from ancient petroglyphs and ancient pueblo structures that function as solar calendars to works of land art such as Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty and Nancy Holt's Sun Tunnels. Art installations can be found at other resorts, but the approach, scope and immersive nature of the experience, as well as the Powder Art Foundation's long-term vision, will be unique to Powder Mountain.”
Stronks said there are already some expansion plans for art at the resort, set to take shape in 2026.
“Next year, the Powder Art Foundation will break ground on a new trailside pavilion designed by Neri & Hu that will house several immersive works of art integrated directly into the architecture,” she said. “The works include a major 1970s installation by Bruce Nauman and James Turrell's 2011 Apani, originally commissioned for and exhibited at the 54th Venice Biennale. When completed, it will be one of the very few permanent, publicly accessible works in Turrell's immersive Ganzfeld series.”
Powder Mountain's website includes an interactive page where you can see where the various pieces of art are located throughout the resort.
For the 2025-2026 ski season, Stronks said night skiing is expected to take place Dec. 12 at sunset from 4 to 9 p.m., and the resort will fully open ski operations at 9 a.m. the following day. These dates are subject to weather and conditions.
Stronks said there will be some new and returning perks for season pass holders, including:
- “Adult and youth season ticket holders will see their benefits significantly expanded this winter with the introduction of eight Buddy Tickets, each offering a 50% discount on lift tickets with no blackout dates.”
- Due to popular demand, Passholder Weekends offer an exclusive experience for the Powder Mountain season passholder community – the opportunity to enjoy skiing the way it should be, with wide-open slopes, a relaxed atmosphere and meaningful time with friends and family.
- These unique weekends feature a curated program including mountain scavenger hunts, après-ski bingo nights, outdoor disco parties and other fun activities designed exclusively for season pass holders.”
This year's Passholder weekends include:
- 7th-8th February
- 14th-15th February
- 21-22 February
- February 28th – March 1st
Additionally, Stronks said there will be a new après series on the slopes at Powder Mountain this ski season.
“Also new this year is Timberline Après – a new high alpine après series every Saturday this winter, starting Dec. 20 at Timberline Lodge,” she said. “We are creating a new piste hub with a DJ booth and fire pits – designed as a gathering place and spectator zone, directly across from the new Special Event Terrain Park at the Timberline lift. This park is a new stage for powder signature events such as Grom Fest and TheGoodLife! Rail Jam. It will be built for special occasions and will be open at key moments throughout the season.”
Additionally, she said the resort will spend this season preparing for the future — and skiers can get a glimpse of that future.
“The resort is also in the design and construction phases of a new triple lift at Wolf Canyon, which will provide lift access to the 'DMI' area for the first time and provide the opportunity to experience some of the best expert and intermediate terrain in Northern Utah,” she said. “Wide open pools, world-class glades and plenty of expert slides. The new lift will add 900 acres of lift access and 147 acres of hiking access, making a total of 1,047 acres of public, challenging terrain available. The area will remain closed through the 2025-26 season, but those interested in getting a first look and early access to experience some of this new, challenging terrain can take a guided backcountry tour through the Book a resort.” this season.”
For more information, visit https://powdermountain.com/.