Crowds in the Wasatch mountains getting you down? Park City a little too Epic? Or maybe the gate keepers of Cottonwood Canyon are too Ikon-ic for you.
Then I have just the hidden gem for you. Four hours south of Salt Lake City or four hours North of Las Vegas, you will find Eagle Point Resort. It’s kind of in the middle of nowhere, not a place that you think of when you see those “Ski Utah” license plates, and, honestly, that’s part of the charm.
Initially known as Mount Holly Ski Area, this resort is nestled in the Tushar Mountains. These mountains are surprisingly the third highest mountain range in the state. Skiing here in “nowhere” began in 1972. Mount Holly started with just two chairs serving a few runs for the locals and those who wandered into the middle of “nowhere.”
There must have been more than a few wayward skiers as in 1985 the Elk Meadows Ski & Summer Resort was developed pretty much right across the street. These neighbors operated independently for over a decade. Then in the mid 1990’s with a splash of neon, the two resorts began to be marketed as one under the Elk Meadows name. This worked out well and skier visits to “nowhere” grew strongly for the rest of the decade.
Sadly in 2002, the area closed early in the season due to what was thought to be short-term problems with water treatment. However, the problems persisted, and the area became truly “nowhere” as it sat closed for a few seasons. The real estate boom and bust of the early 2000’s led to the resort changing hands a few times. Each developer had big plans to reopen for skiing, but none of these plans ever panned out. The ski areas in “nowhere” were getting nowhere and the thought was that skiing was maybe done in these mountains.
Then in a scenario that is every DCSki reader’s dream, the resort in “nowhere” was purchased in 2008 by a skier!
A group led by Shane Gadbaw, an avid skier/hedge fund executive from New York, came to the rescue. He had never run a ski area but grew up night skiing in New Jersey, so what could go wrong! After some start and stops and in what probably could have been a good Instagram or YouTube series (see the rebirth of Wolf Ridge), Mr. Gadbaw managed to get the resort up and running for the 2009 season. He has been successfully operating the resort ever since.
It may be the middle of nowhere, but with 650 acres of skiable terrain, 1,500 feet of vertical drop, five lifts, 42 named runs, and even backcountry access, this is a real skier’s place. It also has an elevation of 10,600 feet that sees an average of 350 inches of snow in a typical winter. While it might be a midsize ski area for Utah, it is sizable anywhere else.
The resort itself is split into two main areas, which I called “Wisconsin” and “Vermont.” The upper section, the former Elk Meadows Ski Resort, reminds me of many a Midwestern area. Most trails run off the slower and very flat Monarch triple chair that services a handful of short pitches with a few decent run outs.
One of Mr. Gadbaw’s improvements to this side of the area was to add a newer fixed quad on some adjacent land just to the south. From there, a couple broad trails were cut which opened a huge but mildly sloped beginner area. These runs are lined with large rental properties with ski-in, ski-out access, perfect for the large Utah families he was aiming to attract.
The lower mountain, the former Mount Holly Ski Area, is more Vermont-ish, with a series of steep pitches falling off a high ridge line. Another fixed quad provides access to these slopes. There was an older Riblett double here as well, but it fell in disrepair and has been removed. This area is accessed from the upper slopes via a tunnel under the road, however there is no return lift service so a shuttle bus ride is required for the return.
But wait, there’s more! Eagle Point Resort offers backcountry skiers a thrilling frontier just beyond its lift-served terrain. Passing through a gate above the Monarch Lift on the “Wisconsin” side, tourers enter the vast expanses of the Fishlake National Forest, where peaks like Mt. Holly, Mt. Delano, and Lake Peak beckon over untracked ridgelines.
While the resort maintains avalanche control within its operating domain, beyond that gate you’re on your own — so avalanche awareness, robust gear, and strong decision-making are essential. With miles of access and little competition, Eagle Point’s backcountry provides a rare combination of solitude, big-mountain character, and powder potential for those willing to earn it.
The base lodge is bare bones — but honestly, that’s all you need. There’s a surprisingly nice locker area with shoe cubbies, which I always appreciate. The whole place reminds me a lot of Granby Ranch in Colorado (minus the high-speed lift). Honestly, if Eagle Point had a high-speed quad, it would be a total sleeper hit.
The day I skied, I rolled in at 8 a.m. and snagged a second-row spot. There were only 15 cars in the lot and this was a weekend! I was able to rent skis, grab a coffee, and still make it onto the first chair! That’s a ski day win right there.
Even better, my lift ticket cost me all of $35. It could’ve been even cheaper — only $5! — if I had known about their promotion that day for skiers with a pass from another resort. Still, $35 is a steal for a full day on any mountain.
It’s like Mid-Atlantic skiing dropped right in the middle of Utah — unexpected, low-key, and kind of magical in its own way. If you’re looking for fancy aprés ski scene or high-speed luxury, this isn’t it. But if you’re after solitude, affordability, and some truly underrated terrain, the in-the-middle-of-nowhere Eagle Point can provide!
Robbie Allen is an avid small hill skier. He has written several articles on the many small hills he has sought out.
