Plans for a November 1971 opening, with a 120-passenger tram and three chairlifts, were well under way. Although the resort failed to meet the November deadline, due to avalanches and tram failure, Snowbird did open its doors in early January 1972 and has become a popular, year-round resort.

Yet, the history of Snowbird has not always been easy. Snowbird's plans for expansion into the adjacent White Pine Wilderness Area have been challenged; the resort was rejected in its attempts to secure permission to construct a tram to the top of Twin Peaks; it is carefully monitored to insure that the quality of Salt Lake City's watershed is maintained; and Snowbird has been criticized for its lavish use of concrete and the mammoth structures that have been constructed.

Also, in its relatively short lifetime Snowbird Corporation has seen several presidents assume control of its helm. After five years, Ray L. Hixson replaced Peter Arceneau, who had temporarily been president of Snowbird for Dick Bass. On 1 July 1979 the controls of Snowbird Corporation were passed to Swiss-born Rene Meyer. He served as president until his resignation in 1988 when Thurman Taylor assumed control.