Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort records, 1971-2014

Planning for the ski area that was to become known as Snowbird began operation in 1967. By 1971, developers Ted Johnson and Richard Bass had completed enough to open in December of that year. When it opened, Snowbird consisted of one lodge and three restaurants. Ski runs were reached by the Snowbird Tram, which still takes skiers to the top of 11,000 foot Hidden Peak, and three chairlifts, the Wilbere, Gad I and Gad II, named for Gad Valley. The resort employed 290 people. Since then a number of new lifts have been added, as well as many more condominium lodges, restaurants, and other amenities. From the earliest days, Snowbird was planned to be a summer resort as well, offering tennis courts, hiking and mountain biking, the annual Oktoberfest, the Snowbird Institute, and many other features. The development of the resort has not been without controversy, however; from its initial opening to the present, environmental groups such as Save Our Canyons have protested plans to expand the resort. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2002.