Snowbasin is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States. Opened in 1939 as part of an effort by the city of Ogden, Utah to restore the Wheeler Creek watershed after decades of overgrazing. Over the next 50 years Snowbasin grew slowly. After a large investment in lifts and snowmaking by current owner Earl Holding, Snowbasin hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Downhill, Super-G and Combined races. Current owners Earl and Carol Holding purchased Snowbasin in 1984. The Snowbasin Master Development Plan was revised in 1985 to include the development of a destination four-season resort and a land exchange with the Forest Service. The environmental impact study of the plan began in 1989 and took nearly two years to complete. During this time, the Trappers Loop road was constructed connecting Huntsville to Weber Canyon, making Snowbasin one of the easiest resorts to reach from the Salt Lake International Airport. In 1995, Salt Lake City was awarded the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and Snowbasin was chosen as the venue for the men's and women's downhill, super G and combined races. The United States Congress passed the Snowbasin Land Exchange Act in 1996 as part of the Omnibus Lands Bill. In addition to mandating the exchange of National Forest System lands to Snowbasin, the Act identified a set of projects that were deemed necessary for the resort to host the Olympic competitions. On May 23, 2000, the land exchange was completed, transferring 1,377 acres of National Forest System lands at the base of the resort to Snowbasin and 11,757 acres of private land in northern Utah to the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Approximately 60 percent of Snowbasin Resort remains on the National Forest. During Olympic venue construction, Snowbasin and the Forest Service considered the environment their first priority, protecting soil, water quality, wetlands, wildlife and aesthetic values. This was accomplished by avoiding sensitive areas whenever possible, insulating them from construction impacts when it was not and restoring the original functions and qualities where impacts to the land and water could not be avoided.

Powder Mountain currently boasts four chair lifts (one double, one triple which is being replaced with a quad, one fixed quad, and one detachable quad), and an additional three surface tows. But one of the principal draws to the mountain is a vast amount of terrain which is not serviced by the chairlifts. The slopes on both sides of the road leading up to the resort, as well as outlying terrain North of the resort are served by other means. There have been through the years various snowcats, sled-trailers, and even snowmobiles with ropes, to get skiers and riders far away from the skied out and packed down snow. Once there is sufficient snow coverage, there is typically a bus that will pick skiers/riders up at a waiting area halfway down the road. And sometimes (again depending on snowpack) there is a fee-per-ride Snowcat service up Lightning Ridge (very close to James Peak). James Peak is one of the premier powder bowl runs in Utah, reminiscent of the East bowl off Squaretop above The Canyons resort in Park City. Also, there is occasionally helicopter service from the parking lot, ferrying skiers/riders to the top of James Peak. Powder Mountain terrain within the lift accessible area is what might be seen at many other resorts: many green and blue runs with few blacks. However, under the Paradise lift is an assortment of more technical black runs, and Lighning Ridge is full of great black runs for the powder adventurer. Powder Mountain is promoted as a family ski area. As such, Powder Mountain has little in the way of entertainment, fine dining, or after hourês attractions. There is over 2,500 in bounds vertical feet available, making it a great place to go after it snows. Powder Mountain has also been voted in the top three for best snow in ski magazine. There is substantial lodging on the mountain, most of it ski-in/ski-out. There is also plentiful lodging in the Eden Valley at the foot of the mountain; a good choice for visitors wanting to experience both Powder Mountain and Snowbasin. Eden has a gas station, grocery store, and coffee hut.