Nordic Valley Expands Terrain, Installs Six-Pack Chair
Nordic Valley Ski Resort has unveiled a major capital improvement project that will bring the Ogden area resort its first Nordic Valley Ski Resortand the largest expansion project in resort history – and both are slated to open this winter.
Earlier this summer, Nordic Valley began construction on the resort’s first high-speed detachable chairlift, a six-person lift. According to resort officials, the new lift construction project – together with Power Pass resort Arizona Snowbowl’s high-speed chairlift gondola combination lift – makes up one of the largest lift installation projects in North America in advance of the 2020/2021 winter season.
The new chairlift will be the resort’s first new lift in more than 20 years and Nordic Valley will be just one of three Utah resorts to offer a lift of this type. Manufactured by Leitner Poma, it will be 4,213 feet in length with a vertical of 1,400 feet. The high-speed lift will be located on a brand new area – 300 skiable acres that’s been owned by Nordic Valley but never developed.
“The pioneers who started Nordic Valley dreamed of sharing this amazing terrain,” said Brandon Fessler, Nordic Valley general manager. “Our team has worked hard to realize that dream, and we cannot wait to share it with our guests, our friends and our neighbors this winter.”
Fessler expects around 50 of the 300 acres in the expansion area to be skiable for this winter. Trail counts and types will be announced at a later date.
“Right now, our focus is on the installation of the lift and Phase 1 of trail development,” Fessler said. “This expansion will eventually more than triple our skiable acres. Today we’re creating trails to service and support the new lift.”
Nordic Valley also has launched its 2020/2021 winter season passes. Nordic Valley is one of eight Power Pass resorts (including Brian Head, who joined the Power Pass family earlier this year). The Power Pass – Nordic Valley’s headlining season pass – offers winter access to all eight mountains spanning more than 4,000 acres in Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico, plus year-round, lift-served mountain biking at Spider Mountain in Texas. Nordic Valley will offer additional pass options, including the new “My Weekday” pass that provides access to Nordic Valley for the 2020/20201 season for as low as $75 at the time of launch. The resort also announced – for the first time ever – pass purchases will be available on a no-interest payment plan.
They say:
We are pleased to announce the addition of a new lift, trails, and snowmaking infrastructure for the 2020/2021 winter season. The installation of Nordic Valley’s first high-speed detachable chairlift and the initial development of 50 skiable acres (which will bring more intermediate and expert skiing to Nordic Valley) is slated to be completed for the 2020/2021 winter season. To see the map, click here.
First New Lift In 20+ Years
- 6 person, high-speed detachable chairlift, manufactured by Leitner Poma
- Length: 4,213 ft
- Speed: 4.2 minutes (1,000 ft per minute)
- Capacity: 2,500 people per hour
- 1,400 feet elevation gain
Additional Trails and Snowmaking
- The expansion area includes 300 acres of new skiable terrain
- In the first year, Nordic Valley will focus on building trails to service and support the new lift (over 50 skiable acres) – exact trail count will be announced at a later date
- Additional snowmaking infrastructure
In Future Years, Nordic Valley Will Add:
- 100 acres of developed runs
- 40 new runs, including beginner, intermediate and expert trails – this will nearly double the current trail count
- 200 acres of gladed skiing
- The new expansion will more than triple Nordic Valley’s skiable acres
When will the new lift be completed?
We expect the high-speed detachable chairlift to be completed for winter 2020/2021.
What’s a high-speed detachable chairlift?
What makes the high-speed detachable chairlift different from any other type of lift at Nordic Valley is primarily speed. Detachable chairlifts move far faster than fixed-grip lifts and their engineering allows the chair to slow considerably for convenient loading and unloading.
What are we naming the new lift?
We haven’t yet decided! Stay tuned – we’ll announce this at a later time.
How many trails will be open this winter?
This will be announced at a later date.
What kind of trails will they be?
Our expansion project includes beginner trails and also a significant number of intermediate, advanced, and expert runs. We will announce what trails and their assigned skill levels will be available for winter 2020/2021 at a later date.
Will Nordic Valley still be affordable?
Absolutely! While many ticket prices and season pass prices will increase, we remain committed to keeping Nordic Valley’s status as Northern Utah’s most affordable ski resort.
Why is Nordic Valley doing this now?
We’re passionate about the ski industry, and about giving families and individuals the freedom and opportunity to ski. There’s a lot of uncertainty in our world right now, but our Skiing First mantra remains unchanged.
What about the 4.3 mile-long gondola?
While we’re focusing on the current expansion project, we are always thinking about and planning for the future of Nordic Valley, including the gondola.
When will season passes go on sale?
Right now! See our all-new menu of pass products, featuring the Power Pass Select, where there’s something for everyone.
