The Park City Council on Thursday approved a five-year extension of the concession agreement for cross-country skiing at the White Pine Touring Nordic Center. Having operated the Nordic center on the Park City Municipal Golf Course since 1981, the center continue business as usual, said Nordic director Richard Hodges.
After months of discussion, the Park City Council voted unanimously. The motion, introduced by Councilor Bill Ciraco and seconded by Councilor Jeremy Rubell, passed without further discussion.
The agreement ensures the continuation of cross-country skiing, trail grooming, and Nordic programming on the golf course through 2030. The last Nordic concession contract was agreed upon in 2020 and ended on April 1. This five-year extension reflects updated contract terms that account for cost increases and modernize the language of the original document.
“It’s a confirmation of our long-term commitment in Park City, and Park City’s long-term commitment with us to provide a tremendous public amenity,” said Hodges. “We’re part of the community. We’re part of the fabric. We’re part of winter here, and working with Park City is a great benefit to everyone in the community and to visitors.”
The contract extension includes an increase in monthly rental fees for the next term, rising from $4,974 to $7,181 through April 2030.
“The costs of doing business have changed,” said Hodges.
With the rise in costs for rental fees, snow removal and beyond, Hodges said this rent increase was reasonable and expected.
“At five years, it’s probably a good time to make an adjustment. It is an increase, and so we’ve sat down and sorted through all of the implications of that, but it was expected, and it’s just how things are,” said Hodges.
The approval follows a review that began with a council work session in November 2024. The updated agreement specifies language regarding winter operational protocols and mitigation measures.
In November, Councilmembers Rubell and Ed Parigian pressed Hodges and Golf Course Manager Vaughn Robinson on the tangible benefits the Nordic concession provides to Park City residents. Their questions centered on how local taxpayers and constituents were being served through the longstanding public-private partnership.
White Pine Touring offers a range of community-focused programs from resident access and discounts to youth programs and adaptive training for individuals with disabilities, highlighted under public benefits in the new agreement.
“From an operations standpoint, we’re not foreseeing any major changes in how we do things, other than, of course, hoping for maybe a slightly better, earlier snow year ahead,” said Hodges.
While the operational structure will remain largely unchanged, Hodges emphasized that the contract’s approval is essential for timely winter preparation.
“It’s kind of strange to think about, but a lot of the preparations for November and December happen now in June and July,” said Hodges. “If you wait until the snow is on the ground, everything becomes exponentially harder. As soon as we get it signed, we can move on and get ready for winter.”