In 2019, the Summit Land Conservancy and Mountain Trails Foundation opened the gates to skiers as part of an effort to raise awareness and funds to preserve the property with a conservation easement.
(PARK CITY, Utah) February 2, 2022 – The 160-acre Osguthorpe Farm, located in the heart of Snyderville Basin, has officially opened its gates to Nordic skiers. Local nonprofits, Summit Land Conservancy and Mountain Trails Foundation, have signed a seasonal lease with the Osguthorpe family which will allow public access to skiers only during the winter. The property, also known as the Green Heart of the Basin, will continue to operate as a farm in the summer months but will offer passive wintertime recreation, much like the 121-acre Osguthorpe Ranch protected in 2012, which is home to the “Land of Oz” Nordic ski track in Round Valley. The Green Heart is visible from nearby Willow Creek Park, the ski resorts, and Round Valley. It is also designated as a “Heritage Ranch” in the Snyderville Basin General Plan, and is the last ranch left standing on Old Ranch Road.
The Osguthorpe Farm is working land owned by the family. Access for skiing is the result of the family’s willingness to partner with the two nonprofits and Basin Recreation. Mountain Trails Foundation helped mark the course and pack the track, and Basin Recreation will groom the property as a continuation of the Willow Creek Park trail system. Summit Land Conservancy provided the legal documents and had a long-standing relationship with the Osguthorpe family. Together, the Conservancy and Mountain Trails Foundation raised funds from the Promontory Foundation and an anonymous open space donor to pay for the seasonal ski access lease.
In 2019, with the help from over 1,200 donors, the Summit Land Conservancy raised over $4 million to match an $8.775 million federal grant to purchase a permanent conservation easement on the property. The federal grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), was the largest grant ever awarded to protect farmland in Utah. The George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, the Palladium Foundation, and Summit County also provided important funding.
“We’re so grateful to the Osguthorpe Family,” said Executive Director of the Summit Land Conservancy, Cheryl Fox. “We really hope that people are respectful of the fact that this is private property and a working farm. Nordic skiers are welcome, but dogs, fat-tire bikes, and walkers are not allowed because they have a greater impact on the underlying soils.”
Basin Recreation, who maintains more than 170 miles of trails in Summit County, will groom over 5k of Nordic track on the agricultural property this winter. The Osguthorpe Farm is recognized as a prime area for Nordic skiing due it’s connectivity to the Willow Creek trail system, and the flatter terrain it provides for beginners. The grooming efforts will be fully funded by Basin Recreation as part of their winter grooming program.
“This is a noteworthy example of how organizations and individuals can better work together to provide the best trails experience for trail users across the area. These types of collaborations don’t happen by accident. They are established and preserved by the force and character of the people involved”, stated Dana Jones, District Director at Basin Recreation. “The process isn’t easy and in fact is drawn out, tedious and downright hard. But committed citizens and organizations can bring about change for the common good and this is one mighty example of that. Thank you to Summit Land Conservancy, Mountain Trails Foundation, the Osguthorpe Family and our donors. We look forward to seeing you all out on the trails.”
The Green Heart trails will be open to the public starting on Wednesday, February 2. The trails must be accessed through the Willow Creek Park gate and will be available for skiers only. Dogs, horses, fat bikes and foot traffic will not be allowed.
“At a time when the popularity of outdoor recreation is accelerating, and we seek to disperse trail users, we are elated to be part of the team bringing this much-needed beginner, dog-free, ski-only terrain to Summit County,” said Lora Smith, Executive Director of the Mountain Trails Foundation. “The Osguthorpe Farm cross-country ski area will be a shining gem in our winter trail system. We are grateful to the Osguthorpe Family for granting access, and also to a Friend of Open Space and the Promontory Foundation and for their help funding this project in 2022.”
