Space for backcountry skiing in the Wasatch is a hot commodity, as proven by recent permitting issues for Little Conttonwood Canyon’s heliski company, Utah Powderbird. But in a recent win for the Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, the sale of Bonanza Flats—a 1,350-acre parcel outside of Park City that serves as a wintertime touring destination—closed on June 15 and is now conserved after a joint effort by the WBA, Utah Open Lands and Park City officials. We caught up with WBA Board of Directors member Chris Adams to learn more about the Bonanza Flats purchase and what it means for the Utah backcountry community. —Louise Lintilhac

Summertime mist hovers over Bonanza Flats. [Photo] Willie Holdman
So we [the stakeholders] thought the opportunity to preserve and protect this land was gone, but the Park City council had the forethought to say, “Just in case this deal falls through, let’s get our ducks in a row, so we can be ready to act in case there is a window.” In November 2016, Park City put a 25-million-dollar bond on their election ballot, and the public voted in excess of 70-percent in favor of passing the bond that would help buy Bonanza Flats. For a town of 7,500 people, that’s a big deal.

Bonanza Flats in winter. [Photo] Patrick Brandenburg
Despite its name, Bonanza Flats is anything but flat, and there is great skiing off of Peak 10,420, as well as nearby Clayton Peak. The protection of Bonanza Flats will allow backcountry skiers to continue to enjoy this beautiful area.
This was a true collective effort, and it could not have happened if the nonprofit community had not rallied around it. We are thrilled that this land will be kept open to the public so that people can ski, hike, bike and enjoy the beauty of Bonanza Flats rather than have it developed into more mega-mansions.
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