Powder Mountain Resort had humble beginnings as a winter range for Frederick James Cobabe’s sheep. Between 1902 and 1948, he accumulated land for a summer range around Eden, Utah. Frederick's son, Alvin F. Cobabe bought the livestock company with its 8,000 acres in 1948. Just a few months later, Fred was killed in an automobile accident. Alvin had a career in ranching, livestock and construction, however, it did not satisfy him. In 1956, at 42, he sold the companies to enroll in pre-med classes at Weber College. Although the businesses were sold, he retained the property. He graduated from the University of Utah Medical School at age 45 and returned to northern Utah to establish a medical practice. At that time, Dr. Alvin Cobabe was the oldest person to graduate from the school. While horseback riding with friends along Lightning Ridge in the 1950’s, someone casually mentioned that the terrain would make a great ski resort. The idea rang true with Dr. Cobabe and he began to amass adjacent property adding to the thousands acquired from his father. In the late 1960's, he built a small rope tow lift above what is now Wolf Creek Golf Course. When the resort finally opened on February 19, 1972 at Sundown, he owned 14,000 acres. Only the Sundown lift was open during Powder Mountain’s first season. The area was lit for night skiing and a ski school was established. Food was prepared on an outdoor barbecue. The Main Lodge, the Sundown Lodge and the Timberline lift were added to operations for the 72/73 season. Dr. Alvin Cobabe, at age 88, sold Powder Mountain, Inc in 2006.

After spending time atop the numerous peaks at Powder Mountain, the Cobabe’s began to envision what their land could look like as a ski resort. While developing a resort plan the Cobabe family began experimenting with a rope tow built from an old tractor motor. Located above what is currently known as Wolf Creek Golf Course, a small A-frame day lodge (which is still standing in Eden, Utah) serviced skiers as they went up and down a small hill.

On February 19th, 1972, Powder Mountain opened its doors with its first aerial lift at Sundown. The following year, Sundown and Timberline Lodge opened, with the addition of Timberline Lift. In 1975, the original Hidden Lake Lift was installed, which doubled the size of the resort.

With the help of Powder Mountain legend Richard (Woody) Wood, Powder Country shuttles begin operating, offering skiing access to an additional 1,200 acres of untouched, ungroomed terrain with an unconventional "lift". A few years later, in 1984, as snowboarding began gaining popularity, Powder Mountain became one of the first resorts to allow boarders. In 1989, Hidden Lake Lodge opened its doors.

The 90's were a time of expansion for Powder Mountain, with one idea leading the way; "We want more Powder"! The Sunrise Lift opened to access more Hidden Lake terrain and Cobabe Canyon. Snowcat skiing began accessing the Paradise area, Lightning Ridge, and James Peak. Also, during the early years of snowboarding, hand dug halfpipes were built at the bottom of Cache Bowl and other natural gullies around the mountain.

In 2000, Paradise Lift was added and snowcat skiing expanded making Powder Mountain the largest ski resort in North America. In 2001, groomed terrain parks were added to Hidden Lake and Sundown. Dr. Alvin Cobabe and family sold Powder Mountain in 2006. The new owners replace Hidden Lake Lift with a high-speed quad, bringing ride times from 20 minutes to 8 minutes. All-day snowcat skiing experiences begin accessing the outskirts of the resort.

In 2013, Summit Series co-founders and venture capitalists purchased Powder Mountain to focus on sustainable real estate developments while preserving its character and history. Sundown lift is replaced, followed by adding two new lifts, Mary's and Village, accessing over 1,000 acres of new terrain. Powder Mountain begins capping the numbers of season passes and day passes in efforts of preserving a genuine ski experience.

Powder Mountain is still the largest ski resort in North America by skiable acres. It currently operates as a resort, real estate development, property management company, and an events company. The resort will begin turning lifts during the summer for downhill mountain biking. As a privately owned resort, rich with history, Powder Mountain is proud to present a truly unique skiing experience for its guests.  

Leading up to the 50th Anniversary, Powder Mountain will also be doing a social media giveaway highlighting our throwback gear! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to participate. The giveaway will begin February 14th. #BecomePartOfIt #PowMow50th

Powder Mountain's Timberline Ski Shop has exclusive 50th Anniversary gear available. Don't miss your opportunity to own a piece of Powder Mountain history