Fall 2026 Community Update

Dear High Bonanza Community,

Fall colors are fading and our first snow is upon us, and another Wasatch winter is just around the corner. HBCA is already preparing for the 2026 / 2027 winter season. A very strong El Niño winter is forecast. What that ultimately means for snowfall in our little high valley remains uncertain, but as many of us know, southwest-flow storms can produce significant snowfall in our area. As always, HBCA will prepare for whatever the winter brings.

This fall’s newsletter is a little longer than usual, but we have some important information to share. We’ll provide updates on winter preparations and operations, share helpful reminders for longtime property owners, and help newer members of our community better understand winter access and the responsibilities that come with it.

Our goal is to keep everyone informed, prepared, and ready to work together to maintain safe and reliable winter access system for our community. We’ll continue to provide updates as needed, with more immediate information shared through GroupMe (HBCA Plowing Updates). As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us.

2026 / 2027 Winter Gate Keys

Winter gate key prices unchanged for the 2026 / 2027 season. Despite increasing costs for fuel, equipment, maintenance, and winter operations, we have maintained the same key prices for another year. Our improved financial reserves have helped make this possible, and we are pleased to continue offering winter services at these rates. Winter key sales will open soon, followed by key distribution. Details will be announced in the coming weeks through our community GroupMe communications (HBCA Plowing Updates).

Unlimited Use Key — $1,450

Provides unlimited winter vehicle access through the seasonal gate and participation in HBCA’s snow removal program throughout the winter.

Limited Use Key — $800

For property owners who anticipate accessing through the winter gate and utilizing HBCA snow removal services five times or fewer during the winter season. We strongly encourage everyone who regularly relies on winter vehicle access and HBCA snow removal services to participate with an Unlimited Use Key. Key participation is what allows HBCA to maintain reliable equipment and provide ongoing winter snow removal services for our entire community, subject to weather and operating conditions.

Occasional / One-Time Winter Access

HBCA also recognize that not every property owners needs or can justify purchasing a winter key. Our goal is to support winter access for the entire community, not to hinder property owners who may need occasional access to their property. For those who rarely visit during winter and need occasional or one-time vehicle access, please contact HBCA. We are happy to work with you when possible, which generally involves coordinating a time for an HBCA representative to meet you at the gate and provide access, subject to winter conditions and availability. We appreciate everyone’s participation and support in helping maintain a winter access system that works for our entire community. Key sales can be accomplished through our webpage and will be announced shortly.

HBCA Financial Update

Thanks to last year’s record-low snowfall, HBCA was able to rebuild our financial reserve to a healthy level as of August 31, 2026, the end of our fiscal year. This reserve necessary to help prepare us for a heavy snow year, major equipment failure, or other unexpected costs. Diesel fuel costs are also significantly higher than in previous years and will increase our operating expenses this winter. Fuel is a major expense for HBCA, and the actual impact will depend on snowfall and how frequently our equipment is operating. As always, HBCA’s financial information is available to members upon request.

Winter Equipment & Operations

HBCA is currently preparing and servicing our equipment for winter operations. We continue to utilize our leased John Deere tractor, which has dramatically increased the reliability of our snow removal program. We have also been coordinating with BEPOA and are awaiting a decision regarding the community-owned New Holland tractor and blower. In addition, HBCA is exploring options for obtaining a spare snow blower to provide additional backup capacity this winter. We’ll provide more information regarding winter parking, equipment placement, and other operational needs as we get closer to the season. Our lead equipment operator, Zach Grant, will again be an important part of our winter snow removal operations. When passing Zach and the equipment, please give him and our tractor plenty of room to safely operate… and a wave is always appreciated.

Winter Gate Key Use & Responsibilities

As a reminder, our winter access permits with UDOT and Wasatch County require that gate keys be used only by authorized key holders. During our recent meeting with UDOT, agency representatives raised concerns about several instances of inappropriate key use that had been brought to their attention. We want to be very clear: winter gate keys may not be shared, loaned, sold, transferred, or hidden or stored at the gate for others to use. Property owners must be present to personally unlock and re-lock the gate for their guests. Guests are not permitted to use gate keys independently.

These requirements are associated with our winter permits. Continued misuse could jeopardize our permits and potentially threaten HBCA’s ability to provide winter access and snow removal services. The actions of a few individuals could have serious consequences for our entire community. We need everyone to take these responsibilities seriously. Protecting our winter access permits is essential to maintaining the services that so many property owners rely on throughout the winter.

Winter Vehicle Preparedness

Winter access to High Bonanza can be challenging. Be prepared before traveling the winter road. High-quality winter tires are essential, and we strongly encourage everyone to carry tire chains, a shovel, tow rope or recovery strap, and other basic winter recovery equipment. This also includes carrying appropriate winter clothing and emergency supplies in case you become stranded or encounter severe weather conditions. Conditions on the pass and straightaway can change rapidly, particularly during storms and high winds. Even shortly after HBCA has completed snow removal operations, blowing and drifting snow can quickly make roads difficult or impassable. A recently cleared road does not necessarily mean conditions will remain safe or accessible. Please plan ahead, pay attention to changing weather and road conditions, and be prepared for unexpected situations. While HBCA works hard to maintain winter vehicle access, everyone needs to be self-prepared and recognize the limitations of winter snow removal operations. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe and helping our winter access system work for the entire community.

Jeep Hill Road / Winter Safety Corridor

BEPOA recently initiated a meeting with Park City regarding changes to the community’s winter Safety Corridor at Jeep Hill Road and over Empire Pass. Representatives from HBCA, Wasatch County, and the Wasatch County Fire District also participated. The meeting was productive and provided an opportunity to discuss safety concerns on the ground while building a better working relationship among our community, County, Fire District, and Park City. Additional work remains regarding the physical alignment of the winter route, gates, fencing, and other infrastructure affecting the critical corridor. We are encouraged by the dialogue and will continue working with BEPOA, Wasatch County, and Park City toward maintaining a safe and reliable winter route.

Winter Community Grooming

Winter grooming of interior winter routes, including the Safety Corridor and route over Empire Pass, is provided independently by community member Stuart Benner-Campbell and his company, B-C Excavating & Snow Grooming. We want to clarify an important distinction: HBCA winter key purchases do not fund or contribute to Stuart’s regular winter grooming program. Contributions for his grooming services are made directly to Stuart through his independent funding program.

HBCA works closely with Stuart to coordinate winter access and operations. In limited circumstances, HBCA may contract with or fund specific grooming work when it directly supports HBCA operations, but those arrangements are separate from Stuart’s community-supported grooming program.

We greatly appreciate Stuart’s continued work and the important service he provides to our community. Information about contributing to the winter grooming program is available on the HBCA website and will be updated for the 2026/27 season shortly.

Long-Term Trailer Parking at the Y

HBCA has concerns, and we have heard similar concerns from many property owners, regarding long-term and enclosed trailer parking at the Y.

Several options have been discussed, including increasing parking fees, relocating long-term trailer parking, establishing size limits, or potentially discontinuing long-term trailer parking. As our community grows, we need to consider whether the long-term use of our limited winter parking by a relatively small number of trailers remains equitable for the broader community. For the upcoming winter, HBCA is not planning significant changes to long-term trailer parking. We will continue evaluating the issue and seek input from Wasatch County, BEPOA, and the community as we consider longer-term solutions.

For this winter, please continue to submit your trailer parking fee through the HBCA website and contact HBCA directly to let us know that you intend to utilize a trailer space. We will work with each trailer owner on placement and positioning to conserve our limited parking area. Trailer placement is only allowed at the beginning of the winter season. Mid-season trailer placement will not be permitted, so please plan accordingly.

HBCA seeks nominations for our open Board position

As part of our regular Board rotation, HBCA would encourage community members who are willing to contribute their time, skills, and experience to consider joining us. HBCA relies on dedicated volunteers to help maintain our winter access operations and the services our community depends on. If you are interested in lending a hand, helping guide our operations, and serving on the HBCA Board, please submit a brief paragraph expressing your interest to our email.

HBCA & BEPOA

After many years of litigation involving the former BEPOA, that matter has been resolved and a new Board has been elected. HBCA believes this provides important momentum and a real opportunity for the community to move forward.

It is also worth remembering why HBCA was created. HBCA grew out of significant concerns with the former POA, including governance, financial accountability, transparency, and the reliable delivery of essential winter services. Community members came together to create an independent nonprofit focused on providing those services with accountability and transparency. Those principles remain central to HBCA today.

With this fresh start, HBCA would like to thank each of the new BEPOA Board members for stepping up. We look forward to a strong working relationship between our two organizations on shared issues such as access, roads, services, and other matters important to Brighton Estates and High Bonanza.

To help clarify the roles of our two organizations:

HBCA - Independent nonprofit focused on winter access, snow removal, equipment, permits, and related services.

BEPOA - Property-owner organization with broader community advocacy and property-related responsibilities. Communication between our organizations has already been collaborative and productive. We are encouraged by that cooperation and look forward to working together where our responsibilities and community interests overlap.

The HBCA Board would like to thank everyone for their continued participation and support. Our winter snow removal operations have come a long way over the past two decades, and that progress has only been possible through everyone's contributions and support.

More important HBCA winter information will be coming as winter approaches and throughout the season.

As always, if you have a question, input, or need assistance, please reach out to us at

contact@highbonanzacommunityaccess.com or directly through GroupMe.

Additionally, if you are new(er) to High Bonanza and need advice about winter operations, parking, access, or other winter activities, please reach out. We’re happy to help make the learning curve a little easier.

Warm regards,

The HBCA Board