Runs, gondolas and cabins amongst new features
Looking forward to this year’s ski season? Here are some of the changes skiers and riders can expect, according to a press release from Colorado Ski Country USA.
Arapahoe Basin:
Arapahoe Basin is in the midst of expanding into Montezuma Bowl pending an Environmental Impact Statement. They are also planning on a new midway lodge/restaurant just south of the Exhibition Chair Summit to be completed this spring.
Aspen/Snowmass:
Aspen/Snowmass has put in a new gondola, the Elk Camp Gondola, with eight passenger cabins from the base of Fanny Hill to the alpine scenery of Elk Camp. They made improvements to the Silver Queen Gondola with new six-person cabins featuring 360-degree views.
Beaver Creek:
Beaver Creek has added 180 acres of new terrain for this ski season in the Stone Creek Chutes area for expert skiers and riders.
Breckenridge:
Breckenridge is putting a new gondola in which will run from the town of Breckenridge just off Main Street to peaks seven and eight. It is an eight-person gondola set for completion by Christmas 2006. They have also opened up new terrain accessible from the Imperial Express Superchair called Snow White featuring chutes, cliffs and cornices. The 150 acres of expert terrain is located in the Lake Chutes.
Copper:
Copper Mountain has made improvements to its water lines improving snowmaking. This means pre-season snow will be better.
Durango Mountain Resort (Purgatory):
Purgatory is seeking approval for it’s Mountain Master Plan, which includes new and upgraded lifts, terrain and on-mountain services.
Keystone:
Keystone will open Independence Bowl with 300 acres of steep, expert terrain this season. Access is through cat skiing or hiking, and is only open to expert skiers and riders.
Monarch:
Monarch is more than doubling its terrain with a new 80-foot Magic Carpet lift from the base of the mountain.
Vail Mountain Resort:
Vail has purchased a new Zaugg pipe cutter to cut up to 22-foot walls in the superpipe.
Winter Park:
Winter Park has a new chairlift extending up the backside of Parsenn Bowl opening 76 acres of new terrain and seven new trails.
With all the ski area improvements, the Colorado Ski Industry hopes to continue attracting more visitors to the slopes.
The ski areas themselves hope to “continue to offer a great experience, because people come for the Colorado experience,” said Nick Bohnenkamp, the communications coordinator for Colorado Ski Country USA.
The improvements were based on comment cards from guests suggesting changes to make their visits better.
Many also have high hopes about this year’s snowfall rate because this year is an El Ni
