“Relay (Powder Mountain),” is the creation of Paris-based American artists Gerard & Kelly. The art installation is positioned over the Sun Tunnel magic carpet by Powder Mountain’s ski school. Photo provided by Powder Mountain.
EDEN – Powder Mountain, the largest ski resort in the United States by skiable acres, has recently unveiled a new art installation and achieved a number 1 ranking in Ski Magazine’s top Resorts in the West, according to Ski Magazine readers, fans, and followers.
The art installation, titled “Relay (Powder Mountain),” is the creation of Paris-based American artists Gerard & Kelly. Positioned over the Sun Tunnel magic carpet by the ski school, the installation features a canopy clad with a rainbow pattern of spiraling colored lights. The vibrant display serves as a magical passage for beginning skiers as they are gently pulled up the hill. The experience offered by “Relay (Powder Mountain)” transforms with changing light and weather conditions.
“Gerard & Kelly have brought such a dynamic artwork to the mountain, giving new meaning to our ‘magic carpet,’” says Alex Zhang, Chief Marketing Officer at Powder Mountain. “We couldn’t be happier to unveil this work for young skiers and hope the light play evokes a sense of awe as they begin to explore the mountain.”
Artists Brennan Gerard and Ryan Kelly shared their excitement about the opportunity to create this unique installation.
“We were thrilled by the invitation to create Relay (Powder Mountain) for Powder Mountain,” they stated in a release. “It is so rare to have an opportunity to think about an artwork integrated into the daily activity of a site like a ski mountain. This, plus working in the vicinity of some of the most important projects in the history of Land Art, made the experience unique and memorable. We hope that Relay (Powder Mountain) will be a delightful addition to the experience of visiting the mountain.”
The installation is designed to interact with the sun’s angle, subtly changing its appearance throughout the day. During daylight hours, it refracts sunlight, creating a dazzling display, while it illuminates from within to glow at night. “Relay (Powder Mountain)” aims to inspire wonder, imagination, and transformation for young skiers traveling up the surface lift.
In addition to the new art installation, Powder Mountain also recently earned the top spot in Ski Magazine’s ranking. Ski Magazine’s top ranking highlighted Powder Mountain’s strengths in snow quality, value, access, and terrain variety. While there were some weaknesses noted, such as lifts and dining options, survey participants praised the ski area’s affordability, availability of powder days after storms, and the limited lift ticket sales.
The recent $100 million investment by new majority owner Reed Hastings is set to further enhance the Powder Mountain experience. This investment will reportedly lead to immediate improvements, including the expansion of skiable terrain, the creation of new nordic and snowshoe trail systems, and support for skiers and riders of all levels.
Hastings recently expressed his passion for the resort.
“This is an investment in what we consider to be the ultimate skier experience,” said Hastings. “My wife Patty and I love this place; we love the untracked powder several days after a storm cycle, we love the vastness of the terrain, and we love the community. We’re looking to accentuate what has always made it special. We’ll do that by making it more easily accessible, by bolstering infrastructure and amenities and by maintaining the uncrowded feel Powder Mountain is known for.”
This multiyear endeavor has already begun, with upcoming improvements for the current ski season, including the opening of 500 acres of guided backcountry terrain, new cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, and the Launch Pad Yurt, which will serve as a hub for various winter activities.
The beginner experience at Sundown Lodge will see significant upgrades, including the introduction of the new Sunkid “magic carpet,” terrain re-grading, snowmaking infrastructure, and a new ski school facility.
Furthermore, Powder Mountain is introducing $19 night skiing lift tickets this year, making it even more accessible to everyone.
New lifts are scheduled for installation this summer.
Powder Mountain, located in Cache County but accessed through Weber County, currently has a 69-inch base with 134″ of snow to date. The resort receives 500 inches of snowfall annually with more than 8400 skiable acres. Daily caps on lift tickets and yearly caps on season passes preserve an un-crowded resort experience.