Our Solutions

Canyon Guard is advocating for simple, cost-effective solutions as an alternative to UDOT’s gondola proposal.

Improve Ski Bus Service

The current ski bus service does not meet capacity. On winter weekends and holidays, bus-stop parking lots fill up by mid-morning and buses are consistently overcrowded. The former UDOT project manager for the LCC project was even quoted saying “the problem is that the bus service runs out of parking right now. So if you go to 6200 and Wasatch at 10 AM you are going to see empty buses and that’s because there is nowhere to park anymore”.

The bus system is already really well-utilized and its success is ironically causing it to be unenjoyable. There needs to be additional parking capacity and an increase in frequency to better meet demand.

Enforce Existing Traction Laws
Traction laws in LCC require drivers to equip their vehicles with snow tires or chains during periods of inclement weather, particularly in snow- and ice-prone conditions. These regulations are essential for maintaining road safety, as vehicles lacking proper traction devices are not only more likely to lose control but also significantly hinder traffic flow by becoming obstacles or causing accidents. Ill-equipped cars pose a serious public safety risk to all road users. While these laws are in place, inconsistent enforcement limits their effectiveness. Strengthening enforcement could greatly improve compliance, reduce accidents, and ensure smoother, safer travel during hazardous weather conditions.
Incentivize Carpooling
Incentivizing carpooling can be a highly effective strategy to reduce traffic congestion. One promising approach is to leverage technology through mobile apps that connect drivers with nearby passengers headed in the same direction, making carpooling convenient and flexible. Additionally, creating designated carpool pickup and drop-off zones can streamline the process and make participation more visible and accessible. Supporting these efforts with incentives like preferred parking, toll discounts, or eligibility for HOV lanes can further encourage adoption and make carpooling a practical and attractive choice for more resort-goers.
Implement a Toll or HOV Restrictions
UDOT is currently planning on introducing a toll in LCC once their Phase 1 bus system is up-and-running. A toll would incentivize people to carpool or take transit. 

Alternative to a toll, HOV restrictions could be implemented during peak hours. Currently, the average vehicle occupancy is 1.89 people, so even just requiring cars to have 3+ people would reduce the number of cars on the road by 37% assuming the same number of people are accessing the canyon.

Optimize Downhill Traffic Flow
Afternoon downhill traffic is problematic as resort-goers attempt to leave the two ski resorts in LCC at closing time. A metered merge could be introduced at Snowbird so that drivers can more effectively and safely travel downhill.