Morgan officials pleased by 2034 Winter Olympic Snowbasin announcement

The July 24 announcement that the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming to Utah has left many Morgan County residents excited and wondering what impact it might have on them.

While far from the hubbub of Salt Lake City, some Morgan residents like to ski at Snowbasin Ski Resort some of which, the Strawberry area including the Sister’s Bowl, Middle Bowl Cirque and Lone Tree, are located in Morgan County. 

“Snowbasin Resort is one of only three resorts in North America to offer start-to-finish skiing on a downhill Olympic trail,” a Snowbasin press release said. “Both the Grizzly Downhill and Wildflower Downhill trails have remained in place and will be available for guests to experience leading into the 2034 Olympics.”

In 2002 Snowbasin was the site for the Downhill, Super-G and combined races in the Olympics. Snowbasin will be the official Alpine Skiing venue for the Games in 2034.

“Snowbasin is honored to be chosen once again as a venue for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games," said Davy Ratchford, Snowbasin Resort general manager, in the same press release. "Over the last four years, we've been working with the Organizing Committee to provide our world-renowned terrain to the best Alpine athletes from around the globe. With Snowbasin now hosting all Alpine events for the 2034 games, we will once again showcase what makes this mountain special. Guests to Snowbasin have been skiing our famous downhill runs since the first games in 2002, and we are thrilled to host the world again in 2034."

Some Morgan County residents were even volunteers at the site back then and have fond memories of the experience. For some, it was a chance to dust off their language skills obtained while serving missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For others, it was a chance to rub shoulders with athletes and other volunteers from around the world.

Morgan County Commission Chair Mike Newton, who was a college student at the time, worked for the Olympics merchandising company in 2002.

“I actually had the opportunity to work at Snowbasin a couple of those days when they were doing the downhill event there selling merchandise,” he said. “So I got to see that firsthand, which was kind of neat.”

Newton’s parents both volunteered at Snowbasin during the Olympics and enjoyed the experience, he said. Now, as county commission chair he is excited that the Olympics are returning to the area.

“We're very pleased with the announcement,” Newton said. “Part of Snow Basin is in Morgan County. I don't know if they'll use that part of Snow Basin for the Olympics. I hope so, so that we can at least claim that some of it's been in our county, but we're certainly excited about that. We’re also looking forward to what that will entail for the county, certainly some opportunity for economic development and some economic opportunities for businesses and small businesses during the Olympics.” λ