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County, Forest Service and council members cautious about tow-rope ski proposal in Fairview Canyon
Summary
A private group has proposed installing a tow-rope and fee area at the top of Fairview Canyon; council and Forest Service officials warned it could increase traffic, require permits and demand more infrastructure and management.
A private proposal to install a tow rope and fee area in Fairview Canyon drew both interest and sharp caution from the Emery County Public Lands Council and U.S. Forest Service staff.
Darren, a Forest Service representative, described a preliminary proposal that would place a tow rope and associated parking near the existing pullout and small building on the Fairview side. The group soliciting interest has discussed charging a daily or seasonal fee; Darren said they initially targeted about $2,000,000 in fundraising if they advanced larger development, and that such a project would proceed under a special-use permit if approved.
Council members raised a series of concerns. One member warned that Fairview Canyon’s two-lane road and limited infrastructure could become overwhelmed if the site becomes a destination, saying "once you start giving special permits out, where is it gonna end across the forest?" Another council member noted that a lower-cost alternative — adding a formal parking area and restroom paid for with a grant — might address the key safety problem (cars parked on the highway) without creating a fee-based resort.
Several members suggested interim measures that could reduce safety risks more quickly: constructing a parking turnout, adding a restroom, or funding a shuttle service from designated lots. The council urged the proposers and Forest Service to solicit public input and to evaluate traffic, parking and emergency response implications before moving forward.
Darren said the proposal is at an early stage and that any permit or development would take years; the council asked staff to track the proposal and share public engagement opportunities when formal scoping or NEPA-related public comment begins.
