[Cover Photo: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort]

As skiers and snowboarders brace for a snowy winter ahead, a handful of ski areas are hustling to finish a series of new developments for their skiing and riding faithful.

Related: Big Sky Unveils $150 Million Improvement Plan

Whether these developments include new chairlifts, gondolas, or restaurants, the 2016/2017 ski season will have a variety of new offerings from the east to the west and everything in between.

Here are 12 Ski Area Developments Coming This Ski Season

Jackson – Sweetwater Gondola

Sweetwater

JHMR just continues to break ground and this summer, resort officials are looking forward to a newly built Sweetwater Gondola. Repalcing the outdated Sweetwater Triple, the gondola will transport skiers to an area just above the Casper restaurant. Locals are really hoping this pushes intermediate skiers out of tram line and towards the north side of the ski resort.

Sweetwater Stats

  • 8 Person Gondola Cars
  • 1,276′ vertical rise
  • 2,000 people per hour

Related: Jackson Hole’s New Sweetwater Gondola Will Ease Tram Traffic

Two New Lifts @BigSky

The Challenger and Lone Peak chairs are both set to be replaced prior to ski season. The Lone Peak triple will be replaced this summer by a high-speed quad and the Challenger will be replaced by a fixed-grip triple.

Challenger Stats

  • Triple chair
  • 1,672′ vertical rise

Lone Peak Stats

  • Quad chair
  • 833′ vertical rise

Waterville Valley Expands Boundary

Photo Credit: Waterville Facebook Page
Photo Credit: Waterville Facebook Page

Titled, “The Green Peak Expansion,” Waterville Valley’s first expansion in roughly 30 years will add 45 new acres in addition to a fixed grip triple. The expansion is set to cost the ski area $2 million and should be ready in time for the 2016/2017 ski season.

Green Peak Expansion

  • 45 added acres
  • 10 new trails
  • Newly installed fixed-grip triple

Arizona Snowbowl’s Grand Canyon Express

Photo Credit: Arizona Snowbowl
Photo Credit: Arizona Snowbowl

The Grand Canyon Express will be the first high speed chairlift @Arizona Snowbowl for the 2016/2017 season.

Grand Canyon Express Stats

  • Six-pack, high-speed detachable chair
  • 1,530′ vertical rise

Cloudchaser Expansion @MtBachelor

Cloudchaser

Mt Bachelor is about to widen its reach after implementing its new Cloudchaser Lift. The new high-speed detachable quad will add 635 acres to Mount Bachelor’s already famed terrain for the first time in over 20 years.

Cloudchaser Stats

  • High speed detachable quad
  • 635 added acres
  • 1448′ vertical rise

Related: Mt. Bachelor To Install New Lift For Next Season!

Vail’s Back Bowls To See New Sun Up Lift

Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: coleluxuryteam.com

Except for the Sun Up Lift, Vail has become a center for High Speed Quads. However, the Sun Up Lift in Vail’s famous back bowls will be replaced, giving the mega ski resort one less classic chair.

Sun Up Stats

  • Detachable high-speed quad
  • 4 minute ride

Grand Targhee To Replace Blackfoot Chair

Photo Credit: Grand Targhee Facebook Page
Photo Credit: Grand Targhee Facebook Page

Since 1974, the Blackfoot Lift has been largely left alone. That changes this ski seas as the Wydaho resort plans will replace the lift with a fixed grip quad, effectively cutting the ride time in half.

Blackfoot Stats

  • Fixed grip quad
  • 1,200′ vertical rise
  • Ride time decreased from 12 to 7 minutes. 
  • 1,800 skiers per hour

Whistler Blackcomb To Renovate The Roundhouse | Add Snowmaking

Roundhouse breakfast | Photo Credit: Whistler Blackcomb
Breakfast @Roundhouse | Photo Credit: Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Blackcomb is going through some serious cha-cha-cha-changes after getting acquired by Vail Resorts. Currently, no announcement has been made as to what developments Vail will pursue immediately but officials believe the previously proposed $8 million in improvements will continue as planned for the upcoming 2016/2017 ski season.

In addition to the Roundhouse update, Whistler will add new magic carpets and snow making systems to beginner areas.

Find out more here: Whistler Blackcomb Announces 8 Million Investment Plans

The Blake Hotel @TaosSkiValley

The Blake going up | Photo Credit: Taos Ski Valley Facebook Page
The Blake going up | Photo Credit: Taos Ski Valley Facebook Page

The Blake Hotel has been in the works ever since Taos was sold and finally, the Hotel will stand tall amongst a revamped base area. The building is named in honor of TSV founders Ernie and Rhoda Blake. The new hotel is scheduled to be operational this coming fall.

“Construction of a new hotel, The Blake at Taos Ski Valley, represents the first step towards upgrading the quantity and diversity of lodging options at the resort.”Taos Ski Valley

Find out more here: Base Village Redevelopment

Wilmot Mountain Chairlift And Lodge Revamp

Wilmot is replacing three lifts with quads as well as adding a new surface lift to offer better access to its terrain park. These improvements come on the heels of Vail’s recent acquisition of the midwestern ski hill.

“The new lifts will increase capacity by up to 45 percent”Vail Resorts

Find the entire development plan here: Vail Resorts to Invest $13 Million to Completely Transform the Guest Experience at Wilmot Mountain

Cherry Peak Adds Summit Chair

Summit

In its second year of operation, Utah’s Cherry Peak Resort will add a chairlift to access the 7,050′ summit.

Summit Chair Stats

  • Triple Chair
  • 7,050′ summit
  • 1,265′ vertical rise

Find out more here: Cherry Peak Will Complete Summit Lift for 2016-17

Purgatory’s New Surface Lift And Trail

Purg

Purgatory is adding a new surface lift that is akin to the rope tow @Alta, added snowmaking, as well as a smaller, side trail for the upcoming season.

“This fall, Purgatory is installing a new surface lift on the backside of the mountain, which will provide access to Legends Express high-speed detachable quad from some of the best fall line skiing on the mountain.” – Ed Youmans, VP Of Mountain Operations

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