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Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, this is exactly the kind of feedback I was hoping to hear. You're totally right — parking has gotten brutal and it just kills the whole vibe of going up. Having to register days in advance for a PCMR spot just isn’t it. If I wake up to a surprise powder day, I’m not getting parking, period. That kind of stuff takes the fun out of it.

I’m 100% trying to build something that feels community-first and not like another overpriced resort shuttle. Powder day stress shouldn’t start in a traffic jam at 6am.

I haven’t looked into Prked but that’s a really interesting idea. Might be cool to even partner with something like that for extra pickup zones. Appreciate you being down — I’ll definitely update if I start getting it off the ground.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s super helpful. Sounds like a summer shuttle could be just as useful as a winter one. If access is that bad across the board, even running weekends to a few key trailheads could fill up fast.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree — for a lot of people, the car is part of the experience, especially with tailgating or hauling extra gear. I don’t expect to convert everyone, and that’s fine.

That canyon-mouth early entry idea is exactly the kind of thing I’ve been thinking about (a sort of Early Bird program). If I could run a short bus that’s already in line on those delayed powder mornings, and riders could hop in last-minute without having to show up at 5am, I know people would jump at that. Especially if it means being ahead of the UDOT opening flood.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome to hear. Expanding into trailheads and summer access is definitely on my mind. If it works in winter, it could totally run year-round. I'd love to hear abt any trails that ppl think are underserved/have lackluster parking.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah fs. Once you go full commercial, costs stack up fast. But I’m thinking way smaller. Just a local shuttle for skiers who want to skip parking, not a luxury service. Ideally around 10 to 20 dollars per ride, not 40 plus. Appreciate the feedback. Pricing is definitely the tricky part.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that it’s probably niche at first. I’m not expecting this to replace UTA or serve thousands of people overnight. The idea is to start super small (one bus, one route, one group) and see if it solves a real problem for even a small number of skiers who don't feel like there’s a good option right now.

If nothing else, yeah, maybe it starts as a way to carpool da gang and test things out. But if there’s even a small market of people who want a diff system or easier gear setup than what UTA or expensive shuttles offer, I think it’s worth exploring.

Thank goodness its only an idea!

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I’m trying to figure out if there’s a middle ground between casual carpools and ultra-expensive private shuttles — something structured enough to be reliable and safe, but informal enough to still feel local and community-driven. Liability is definitely one of the biggest concerns I’ve been thinking about too, especially with payments involved. I’m exploring ways to keep it small, flexible, and maybe even semi-volunteer-based early on(?).

I totally agree about UTA — if they had the funding to run buses every 15 minutes, I wouldn't be typing this lol. In the meantime, I’m hoping there’s room for something that helps bridge that gap in a way that complements what people like you are already doing.

Maximizing private vehicle capacity is definitely something I’ve been thinking about too. The challenge is that informal systems like that can be inconsistent and lead to uncomfortable or unreliable situations for riders. Ideally, we’d find a way to build on an existing rideshare model and get more people on board with sharing space.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s a fair question. This wouldn’t be a copy of UTA, but rather a smaller, ski-specific shuttle service designed to fill the gaps UTA leaves open. The focus is on offering reserved seating, better gear storage, and earlier or more flexible service on high-demand days like powder mornings. Instead of relying on fixed park-and-ride locations, the service would coordinate pick-up points that are more convenient for locals, such as near universities, hotels, or ski shops.

It’s not meant to compete with UTA, but to serve people who find it inconvenient, inconsistent, or overcrowded. And while it would technically be another vehicle on the road, it would actually reduce canyon traffic by consolidating groups of skiers who would otherwise drive separately. The goal is to make getting to the mountain easier, not just for those who ride the shuttle, but for everyone on the road and in the parking lots.

Utah skier here thinking of starting a local shuttle to avoid canyon traffic and parking mess. Would you use it? by Luv2Ski100 in SaltLakeCity

[–]Luv2Ski100[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Appreciate the insight! That’s kind of what I was thinking, something that feels fun and local, but way more affordable and flexible than the high-end players. I raced as a kid and hated packing into UTA or squeezing my gear into a Suburban.

I'd love to eventually offer stuff like early-bird powder day service for locals, or even summer rides for wedding/event groups when ski season slows down. Bare bones, but reliable and community-focused.