Netflix owns Utah’s Powder Mountain?
Co-founder and executive chairman of Netflix, Reed Hastings has purchased a majority stake in Powder Mountain located just outside Ogden Utah. Summit Series founders sold their shares to Reed and Greg Mauro remains the other co-owner. The Summit Series was founded in 2008 by 20-something co-founders Elliot Bisnow, Jeff Rosenthal, Brett Leve, and Jeremy Schwartz and they previously purchased Pow Mow to create a year-round community gathering place and protect its uncrowded skiing experience. They have sold a majority of their interest in Pow Mow to Reed Hastings, so technically Netflix does not own Powder Mountain and there is no danger of a subscription model being implemented at the resort. Hastings, who according to Forbes is worth $3.5 billion will be a minority owner and have one vote on the five-person board overseeing the resort’s operations.Pow Mow as is more affectionately known has 8,464 acres of skiable terrain, 154 trails and nine lifts making it the largest ski resort in the United States by skiable acres. With over 500 inches of annual snowfall, Powder Mountain is only an hour north of Salt Lake City International Airport which makes it a unique ski destination. Pow Mow also has a policy of capping day passes and season pass sales to provide a ‘guest-first’ ski experience.
Reed Hastings states “Patty and I love this mountain community and want to see it flourish. We’re looking forward to being a part of Powder Mountain’s future and to help safeguard what makes this place special. Also, we look forward to funding some lift upgrades, restaurants, and enhanced parking!”