Utah's Beaver Mountain Survives Warmest Winter Without Snowmaking

Ski resort relies on natural snow and grooming to stay open during record-breaking temperatures.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:45pm

An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the fluid motion of skiers on a snowy mountain, conceptually representing the resilience of a ski resort that thrives without artificial snowmaking.Beaver Mountain's innovative grooming techniques and reliance on natural snow allowed the resort to stay open during an exceptionally warm winter, showcasing the potential for sustainable winter tourism practices.Garden City Today

Beaver Mountain, Utah's only ski resort without snowmaking capabilities, managed to stay open throughout the warmest winter on record by relying on natural snow accumulation and innovative grooming techniques to maintain its slopes, despite the challenging conditions.

Why it matters

Beaver Mountain's ability to adapt and thrive without artificial snowmaking highlights the importance of sustainable winter tourism practices, especially as climate change continues to impact snowpack levels across the American West.

The details

Beaver Mountain, located in northern Utah, is the state's only ski resort that does not have snowmaking equipment. During the record-breaking warm temperatures this past winter, the resort's snow groomers turned to a secret stash of natural snow they had carefully preserved to supplement the thin cover on the slopes, allowing the resort to remain open throughout the season.

  • The warmest winter on record occurred in 2026.
  • Beaver Mountain was able to stay open for the entire 2026 ski season.

The players

Beaver Mountain

A ski resort located in northern Utah that does not have snowmaking capabilities and relies on natural snow accumulation.

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The takeaway

Beaver Mountain's success in staying open without artificial snowmaking during an exceptionally warm winter demonstrates the potential for ski resorts to adapt to climate change through innovative, sustainable practices that prioritize the use of natural resources.