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Planning commission approves Utah Olympic Park Phase 3 ski‑run CUP; panel notes no lighting or snowmaking in this application
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Summary
The commission approved a conditional use permit for Phase 3 at Utah Olympic Park on Sept. 26, allowing two new ski runs (approx. 7–8 acres each) intended for ski‑mountaineering training; staff and applicant said the application does not include lighting or snowmaking, though the development agreement permits future CUP amendments.
The Snyderville Basin Planning Commission voted to approve a conditional use permit for Phase 3 of the Utah Olympic Park (UOP) ski‑run expansion at its Sept. 26 meeting.
Staff senior planner Amir Chaus summarized the phase as two runs (northern and southern splits) of roughly 7–8 acres each. The northern portion will include an uphill track and a more forgiving downhill training route used for athlete development and as a safety/egress path; the southern portion will primarily involve vegetation removal and limited grading to improve maintainability. Phase 3, as presented, does not propose lighting or new snowmaking equipment.
Applicant Jamie Kimball (Utah Athletic Foundation) said the runs will support the growing ski‑mountaineering (SCIMO) program and provide closer‑to‑town, low‑cost training opportunities for youth and development athletes. He described limited grading and tree/undergrowth removal targeted to maintain snow safety and avoid removal of larger pines where possible. "We have no plans to do anything beyond these at this point," Jamie said when asked about future phases.
Public concerns raised during the hearing included construction access and the potential use of Bear Hollow Road (applicant said Bear Hollow will not be used for construction traffic), the proximity of new runs to nearby residences (staff corrected a distance typo — nearest neighbors are roughly 0.25 miles, not 0.5), and whether south‑facing terrain would require snowmaking to be skiable in some seasons. Staff and applicant emphasized that Phase 3 does not include snowmaking or lighting; they noted the development agreement permits future amendments should conditions or program needs change.
Commission discussion covered trail impacts, avalanche mitigation and patrol capability. Jamie and Colin Hilton (Utah Public Lands nonprofit partner) said UOP maintains a professional ski patrol that performs snow control operations (human techniques, selective cornice work, and explosive mitigation when required) and that the park has experience maintaining similar terrain with minimal public‑trail impact.
Motion and vote: Commissioner Thomas moved to approve the CUP per the staff report; Commissioner DJ seconded. Commissioner Chris recused himself from discussion and abstained from the vote. The commission recorded five yes votes and one abstention; the motion carried and the CUP was approved subject to the conditions in the staff report.
Next steps: With approval, the applicant may proceed under the conditions of the CUP. Any future requests for lighting or snowmaking would require a return to the commission as an amendment to the conditional use permit.
