Industry News
Wasatch Peaks Ranch (WPR) is a 12,700-acre luxury private ski resort in Utah and has distinguished itself in ways no other ski resort can compete. It originally opened in the 2021/22 season for the ultra-wealthy and is just 35 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. It features 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, elevations ranging from 4,820 to 9,570 feet, private skiing, and one of the longest heli-ski runs (4,600’ vertical) in the U.S.
On December 1, Second District Judge Noel Hyde issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the private ski area to stop all further land development. It also cannot sell or transfer any property while the restraining order is in effect, however, “protective maintenance” will still be allowed. The restraining order will last for 14 days, while the court considers issuing a preliminary injunction.
How did it come to this?
In October 2019 the county council voted 6-1 to approve rezoning the land from “forestry” and “multiple use” to a “resort special district.” This paved the way for WPR to be built. In November of the same year, five Morgan County residents filed a petition to have the rezoning go to a referendum (general vote). The county clerk rejected it on procedural grounds. This triggered a lawsuit in the 2nd District Court to get the referendum approved, which was ultimately approved last September after three years of legal battle. WPR has already filed for an appeal and the case is now expected to be heard by the Utah Supreme Court.
After the referendum was approved, WPR requested approval of permits for its “plat 3A” subdivision, using the zoning that was previously approved by the county council. However, according to Utah state law, if a zoning law change is subject to a referendum, the original zoning remains in place until citizens have a chance to vote on the change. This is the reason for the TRO.
If the referendum is eventually allowed, the Morgan County residents will have to gather about a thousand signatures to get it on the ballot. If the rezone is ultimately denied, it could put the future of the resort in jeopardy.
WPR caters to the 1% of the wealthiest 1% and provides members with approximately 400 inches of snowfall a year, guaranteed uncrowded ski slopes, access to an 18-hole golf course, 70 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, premier fishing on the Weber River, and big-game hunting. Membership costs start at $500,000 and offer guests the ability to enjoy themselves without worrying about being bothered by outside intrusions. Other costs would be for one of the 750 personal residences on the ranch that are planned to be built and ongoing annual dues.
It sounds great if you have the money, but this situation will have to make it through the court system before any more advancement can be made.
