9 Exciting New Lifts And Terrain Expansions We Can’t Wait To Ski Next Season
With back-to-back seasons of record skier visits, resorts are investing heavily in capital improvements to keep up with demand. New high-speed lifts, terrain expansions, upgraded on-mountain restaurants, and base area projects will enhance the guest experience across North America this winter. Here are some of the most anticipated resort upgrades for the 2023-2024 ski season.
9. Lone Peak Tram Upgrade at Big Sky Resort
The Lone Peak Tram at Big Sky Resort is getting a major capacity boost this season. The old 15-person tram consistently had long lines on powder days and peak periods. The new cabins will hold up to 75 passengers, increasing capacity five-fold. This will help more skiers access Lone Peak's double black diamond terrain faster. The new tram will operate on a per-ride basis rather than a per-day ticket. With 360-degree views and a smoother ride, the state-of-the-art tram will vastly improve the experience while reducing wait times.
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8. Pandora Terrain Expansion at Aspen Mountain
Aspen Mountain is expanding its skiable terrain by 20% this winter with the new Pandora area. The 153-acre addition will be served by a new high-speed quad chairlift. With 1,220 vertical feet of skiing, Pandora will include 15 new chutes, 3 gladed areas, and 4 cut trails ranging from intermediate to expert level. This is the largest on-mountain improvement at Aspen Mountain since the Silver Queen Gondola was installed in 1985. Pandora will significantly improve skier circulation and provide new challenging terrain.
7. Bergman Bowl Opens at Keystone with New Lift
After a one year delay, Keystone Resort will finally open the brand new 555-acre Bergman Bowl this season. Accessed by a new high-speed six-person chairlift called Bergman Express, this intermediate bowl was previously hike-to only terrain. Bergman will add 16 named trails along with incredible views of surrounding peaks and Independence Pass. As Colorado's fourth largest resort, Keystone continues to improve its terrain variety and mountain experience for all levels.
6. Whistler Blackcomb Replaces Fitzsimmons Chair with High-Speed Quad
Whistler Blackcomb's aging Fitzsimmons quad chairlift will be replaced by a new high-speed eight-passenger lift for the 2023-2024 season. The Fitzsimmons Express is one of the main base area lifts, providing critical uphill capacity out of Whistler Village. The new lift will boost capacity by 73%, significantly improving skier circulation from the village. The Fitz is heavily used in both winter and summer as a lift for mountain bikers. The upgraded lift will reduce wait times and benefit Whistler Blackcomb's growing summer activities.
5. New Terrain Expansion at Steamboat
As part of its Full Steam Ahead project, Steamboat Resort will introduce new advanced and expert terrain in the Fish Creek Canyon and Pioneer Ridge areas this winter. With 650 acres of new gladed tree skiing just outside the resort boundary, this expansion will make Steamboat the second largest ski resort in Colorado. The gladed shots in Fish Creek Canyon will be hike-to only, providing an authentic backcountry experience. The addition of this new terrain caps off several years of on-mountain improvements at Steamboat.
4. Snowbasin Adds High-Speed Lift to Strawberry Area
Snowbasin Resort in Utah is upgrading its Strawberry area this season with a new high-speed six-passenger lift. The DeMoisy Express will double the uphill capacity out of the Strawberry base, improving skier circulation and mountain access. Located next to the existing Strawberry gondola, the DeMoisy lift will be the resort's 13th chairlift. Snowbasin is known for its fast lift network, plentiful groomed cruisers, and wide open expert bowls. This lift upgrade will further boost the downhill capacity and experience.
3. New Heated Lift and Other Upgrades at Sunday River
Sunday River in Maine is getting North America's first eight-passenger chairlift with heated seats and bubbles this winter. The new Barker Mountain Express will reduce ride time to just under 5 minutes while providing an incredibly comfortable and weather-proof experience. The bubbles, and safety bars will make the Barker lift one of the most technologically advanced in the country.
2. New Mountain Commons Base Lodge at Crystal Mountain
Washington's Crystal Mountain is opening an impressive new day lodge this winter called Mountain Commons. Located at the base of Queen and Campbell Basins, Mountain Commons will house guest services, retail shops, and four new dining options. With indoor and outdoor gathering areas and fire pits with slope-side views, the 25,000 square foot lodge will become the new social epicenter of the resort. This is part of Crystal's ongoing investments to enhance the base area experience.
1. The Aerie Mid-Mountain Lodge Debuts at Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain in Colorado will open The Aerie, a brand new 25,000 square foot mid-mountain lodge accessible from the American Eagle chairlift. The Aerie will have Copper's first true sit-down restaurant with spectacular views. It will also feature a large cafeteria, indoor and outdoor seating, a bar, and multi-use event space. This lodge will provide a comfortable new option for a food and drink break during the ski day at Center Village.
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