- Snowbasin Ski Resort announced on Thursday it would close on March 22, a month earlier than usual.
- Brand manager Brooks Roe cited unprecedented warm weather affecting Utah's ski industry.
- Snowbasin will now shift focus to summer activities as other resorts face similar early closures.
SALT LAKE CITY — Snowbasin Ski Resort will close its slopes Sunday, about one month earlier than usual, as Utah's warm, low‑snow winter forces several resorts to end their seasons ahead of schedule.
Snowbasin joins Cherry Peak and Eagle Point in shutting down early, with Nordic Valley's late February pause still underway.
At the resort base, water runs along the curb near the Little Cat beginner hill, and visitors lounge in the springlike warmth.
Cross‑country skier Rod Redfearn and his wife Rosey decided to take their picnic to Snowbasin and left their jackets at home.
"It's beautiful up here still, though, even though there is no snow," said Rod Redfearn.
Snowbasin brand manager Brooks Roe said the March 22 closure is likely the earliest in the resort's history, pending some data retrieval from the 1970s. He said the resort pushed as hard as possible to maximize the season.
"You know, we did the best that we could to open as early as we can, and we did the best we could to stay open as late as we can. Sadly, our business partner is something we can't control. It's Mother Nature," Roe said.
According to Roe, Snowbasin's snowmakers used every window of air temperatures below 28 degrees to make snow on the mountain, but the resort never built a deep enough base to last into spring.
"It's been a big battle this season across the industry," said Roe. "Three seasons ago, we had the most snow we've ever had. Record-setting. And then three seasons later, it's the worst snow we've had," he explained.
Many Utah resorts typically stay open into April or even May when a deep snow base carries them past warm spells.
"But sadly, those windows were very short this year," Roe said. "The last big storm we got a couple of feet in a week. Felt like winter again. And then literally a week after, it went up to 45 degrees, and it rained, and it just killed everything that we got."
Snowbasin is now shifting focus to summer recreation, including a new mountain bike course, a trail‑running competition and additional perks for pass holders, including a new value pass and free lift tickets for premier pass holders.
Roe said the perks were partly inspired by the tough ski season.
"What could we do more for our guests? And how could we maybe make their lives a little easier and give them something in return?" Roe asked.
When asked about any plans in place to prevent a weak snow year from ruining the 2034 Utah Olympic Games, he said there were special systems set up in 2002 that might need to come into play again.
"Even the Olympic year, if you look back, was actually a fairly low snow year up until that point of the Olympics," said Roe. "We have a snowmaking system on the Olympic runs. And we don't really use it now, but I know we will use it in the future, and that'll be an area that we focus on."
Many Utah skiers have called this the worst winter they've experienced.
"I've lived here since 1966, and this is probably the worst year I've seen," said Rod Redfearn.
Rosey Redfearn said the early closure will be especially disappointing for her daughter.
"My youngest was going to go. She does adaptive sports and was going to go skiing on the 27th. Now she's going to be sad because she won't be able to," she said. "I think I'm going to let the school tell her that. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news."
Roe added some encouragement to skiers and snowboarders to support the estimated 25,000 workers statewide who depend on the ski industry.
"There's still plenty of great skiing out there at other resorts. And there are some places that'll be open longer than us. So go enjoy it. Go support those resorts. Give a high-five to a lifty or ski patroller that's been putting in work this season," he said.
