Snowbird makes plans to build ski lifts into American Fork Canyon

Snowbird makes plans to build ski lifts into American Fork Canyon

(Scott G. Winterton/Deseret News File Photo)


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AMERICAN FORK CANYON — Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort wants to add two new lifts in American Fork Canyon on land they own.

The plan has some residents who use the area for recreational purposes concerned. Robert Macfarlane and his family have been using the area for years to ski in the winter and hike in the summer. He said when he heard about the expansion plan, he began to worry it would turn the untouched area into the next Park City.

"Now you look at the area, I mean, there are multi-million dollar houses all around there. There are ski cuts and also degradation to the water," Macfarlane said.

The issue of water quality is also a concern for American Fork City Councilman Brad Frost.

He said the area where the lifts are projected to be built was once a mine that still harbors hazardous chemicals.

"What happens when you make it a construction zone? What happens when you bring equipment and roads? Forty acres of land will be disturbed," Frost said.

Snowbird's plan also calls for realigning an existing lift, adding avalanche control structures and warming huts, and other operational buildings.

When it comes to water quality, Dave Fields, Vice President of Resort Operations at Snowbird, said they are working on a plan to keep water safe for residents nearby.

"The (Utah County) Board of Adjustment gave American Fork City 60 days to work on a water monitoring agreement that's acceptable. We are going to work as hard as we can make sure that that happens," Fields said.

As for the concerns residents had about access to the lifts from Utah County, Snowbird officials stated, "There will be no access from American Fork Canyon to our proposed lifts."

The Utah County Board of Adjustments held a meeting on Feb. 4 to discuss Snowbird's application. The Board continued the application and will meet again on April 7.

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Ashley Moser

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