Hastings Doubles Down: $157 Million Investment to Accelerate "Powder Haven" Expansion

The transformation of Powder Mountain, already one of the most talked-about projects in North American skiing, is entering a high-velocity second phase. Reed Hastings, the resort’s majority owner and former Netflix CEO, has announced a massive $157 million investment into Powder Haven, the private residential community and members-only ski club integrated into the mountain.

This latest capital infusion is designated for aggressive infrastructure growth, including new lift systems, the development of luxury neighborhoods, and a sprawling flagship clubhouse. The move solidifies Hastings’ "blended" model—an experiment that uses private real estate and membership revenue to fund both exclusive amenities and significant public-side upgrades.

Expanding the Private Network

A central pillar of this expansion is the addition of two new private chairlifts—Half Pint and Foxtrot—scheduled to debut for the 2026–27 season.

• Infrastructure Growth: These additions will bring the private lift network to a total of six chairlifts.

• Terrain Access: The network will serve more than 3,300 acres of exclusive terrain, primarily focusing on improving connectivity between high-alpine advanced zones and the planned village core.

• Lift Details: The Half Pint lift is designed as a horizontal connector for ski-in/ski-out residential access, while Foxtrot will climb over 1,200 vertical feet to link existing private zones like Raintree and Primetime.

• Luxury Real Estate: Prado and Shelter Hill

• The $157 million investment also fuels the launch of two marquee residential neighborhoods:

• Prado: This flagship development features 34 large, forested homesites ranging from one to 4.5 acres. Situated on a ridge, these parcels offer panoramic views of Pineview Reservoir and the Great Salt Lake.

The Chalets at Shelter Hill: Located near a new lift terminal, this neighborhood offers eight turnkey, ski-in/ski-out homes. These pre-built chalets, ranging from 3,200 to 5,500 square feet, are priced between $7 million and $10 million.

At the heart of these neighborhoods will be Arclodge, a 73,000-square-foot members-only clubhouse. Scheduled to open in 2028, the facility will include a spa, fitness center, rock-climbing wall, and fine dining, serving as the operational hub for the Powder Haven community.

The Public Side: Growth in Parallel

While the private club expands, Hastings is also pushing forward with a $40 million public-side investment to maintain the resort’s accessibility and "soul".

• New DMI Terrain: For the 2026–27 season, the public side will expand by 20% (adding roughly 1,000 acres) with the opening of the DMI (Don’t Mention It) zone, featuring some of the steepest lift-served terrain in Utah.

• Public Lift Upgrades: Two new public lifts are slated for the 2026-27 season: a high-speed quad replacing the legacy Sundown lift and the new Doodle lift for beginners.

• New Public Lodge: A new 15,000-square-foot Sundown Lodge is expected to open for the 2027–28 season.

A Controversial but Successful Strategy

Hastings’ strategy initially faced backlash from longtime "PowMow" loyalists who feared the loss of the mountain's uncrowded, low-key character. However, the model appears to be generating significant momentum. High-end property sales are moving quickly, providing the liquidity needed to install five new lifts across the mountain since 2023, with more on the way.

By reserving roughly one-third of the mountain for residents, Powder Mountain is attempting a delicate balancing act: preserving low-density skiing through exclusivity while modernizing one of the state's most iconic public playgrounds.