What's new at Colorado ski resorts
Colorado’s ski areas are always improving, adding and remodeling to entice skiers and boarders and foster loyalty. Here’s a quick look at what’s new at resorts around the state.
ARAPAHOE BASIN
Besides almost doubling in size, A-Basin has added 100 parking spots and the 200-seat mid-mountain restaurant, Black Mountain Lodge.
BEAVER CREEK
No more park-and-ride at this swanky mountain. This winter, a new gondola will whisk skiers from the free parking lots in Avon to the lifts. It’s in the works. We’ll keep you posted on the opening date.
BRECKENRIDGE
Long known for its killer terrain parks, Breckenridge has designed a system of progressive parks and pipes on Peak 8. The multi-level park will feature beginner, intermediate and super-sized expert jumps, rails, halfpipes and other features, all in the same area.
COPPER MOUNTAIN
Copper serves up spectacular advanced terrain in the new Free Fall Glade on the eastern edge of the mountain, between Formidable and Treble Cliff. Access it from Super Bee lift.
CRESTED BUTTE
Free skiing is back this season. Show up any day between Nov. 25 and Dec. 15, and pick up a free lift ticket at the ticket counter. Look for multi-million-dollar remodels at base-area lodging.
ECHO MOUNTAIN
This tiny, terrain park-focused mountain added 40 features and 30 percent more terrain. It also doubled the amount of night riding. More is coming, including a beginner area with a handle-tow lift, new glades and a freestyle woods area.
KEYSTONE
Last year, the resort expanded its hike-to and snowcat terrain in Independence Bowl by 300 acres. This year Keystone plans to add a yurt in the bowl where snowcat skiers can have a hot lunch. In the base area, the newly expanded Keystone Lodge & Spa opens with 10,000 square feet and five new treatment rooms, including an aromatherapy tub, a Vichy shower room, a wet room, a couples room, a manicure/pedicure area and relaxation room.
MONARCH MOUNTAIN
Good news for anyone who’s ever wallowed in Monarch’s mud parking lot: The mountain installed an asphalt apron around part of the parking lot to direct runoff and control the mud.
SILVERTON
Legendary for its ski-film-quality steeps and super budget base (a yurt and an old school bus), Silverton continues to do its own thing. Owners Jen and Aaron Brill say they got their second-hand chairlift to run a bit faster, and they hope to trade free skiing for a small, used camper they can convert into a ticket window. In the meantime, it’s still some of the best skiing on the planet.
SNOWMASS
Elk Camp Meadows learning area opens at the top of the Elk Camp gondola, where new skiers can get a big mountain experience while mastering the bunny hill. The mountain also streamlined its park to cut cross traffic and added a bridge allowing park riders the unique experience of sliding over skiers below.
STEAMBOAT
Things are speeding up with the new high-speed, six-passenger Christie lift. The lift, which replaces several smaller lifts, shortens the ride time to Christie Peak to just under five minutes and is powered entirely by renewable energy.
TELLURIDE
The mountain will open 200 acres of hike-to shots on the north face of 13,320—foot Palmyra Peak this winter. This experts-only 2,000-foot plunge is so steep, even locals should be nervous.
VAIL
Two clunky old lifts, Highline and Sourdough, were replaced with high-speed quads that cut the ride time in half. The base of the mountain is in the throes of a billion-dollar makeover. Much remains to be done, but Vail Square, with its ice skating rink, outdoor movie screen, tony shops and new luxury hotel, gives a glimpse of what’s to come.
WOLF CREEK
The big news at this little ski area is what won’t happen. A Texas billionaire has been trying for years to build condos and hotel rooms for 10,000 people at the base of Wolf Creek Ski Area, against the ski area owners’ wishes. This fall, two court decisions put any development on hold by revoking permits. The village could still be built — but it won’t happen this winter.
