After the 2022-23 season brought record-breaking visitation to Colorado, its ski resorts are making some amazing enhancements for this upcoming winter.
Last week, Colorado Ski Country USA detailed the offseason projects that are going on across the state. This upcoming ski season will see new lifts, lodges, and terrain. In addition, Vail Resorts’ portfolio in Colorado, which is not a part of Colorado Ski Country USA, has some huge projects going on. We’ve compiled a list of all the biggest projects in Colorado and have ranked the projects based on how monumental they will be in enhancing the guest experience at the ski resort.
Here are our picks for the six biggest projects at Colorado ski resorts for the 2023-24 season. But first, here are some honorable mentions:
Honorable Mentions: Even if these mountains didn’t crack the top six, there are still some huge improvements across the state. A new magic carpet at Granby Ranch will add more beginner terrain, Powderhorn has remodeled their main lodge, Purgatory did a bunch of projects (renovations at Dante’s Lodge and Powderhouse, buying a second winch cat, a parking expansion, and new gear at the Rental Shop), and Wolf Creek just announced that they will be adding a new beginner chairlift. There’s also a new ski area that will be opening in Windsor, Colorado.
6. Copper Mountain: After years of construction, the main addition will be a 25,000 sq. ft. mid-mountain lodge. The Aerie will feature a full-service restaurant, a bar/lounge, 270-degree views of the mountain, an events room, and restrooms. Some of the other improvements will include snowmaking upgrades, ski trail enhancements, a new groomer, and the expansion of the Far East parking lot.
5. Breckenridge: The multi-year Peak 8 lift replacement process has continued this offseason, with the removal of the 5 Chair, and the addition of a high-speed quad chairlift. This adds additional lift capacity to Peak 8, leading to easier access to park laps and beginner trails.
4. Winter Park: The major addition is the replacement of the Pioneer Express with a new high-speed six-pack chairlift. The Wild Spur Express will have a mid-station, allowing riders to have quicker laps.
In addition, a new employee housing complex is expected to be completed this Fall. It will give Winter Park an additional 330 beds, allow tenants to be within walking distance of the resort, and it will be connected to The Lift public transportation network.
Other additions include new dining spots, a tap room, a premium or demo gear shop next to the gondola, 60-minute Pro Tip lessons for $99, and the divisive Early Ups pass.
3. Keystone: After a little bit of a delay, lift-serviced skiing in the Bergman Bowl will be making its debut this upcoming winter. The new high-speed six-pack chairlift will give guests direct access to the Bergman Bowl, which features a variety of terrain. It also makes hiking to the Erickson & Independence Bowls much easier.
2. Aspen Mountain: Ajax is adding a huge new terrain pod for the 2023-24 season. The Hero’s expansion will contribute new advanced and expert terrain off the summit of Aspen Mountain, which will be serviced by a high-speed quad. The twenty-six new trails, chutes, and glades are named after the legends who helped shape this new terrain pod over the years.
1. Steamboat: Few ski resorts see the investments in their lifetimes compared to what Steamboat is seeing just this offseason. In the final phase of the Boat’s Full Steam Ahead projects, they’ll be adding a second leg to the Wild Blue Gondola, expanding onto a new expert terrain pod with a new high-speed quad chairlift, and snowmaking enhancements are being made to Sunshine Peak.
Which offseason project are you most looking forward to checking out for the 2023-24 season?
Image/Video Credits: Aspen Skiing Co., Wolf Creek, Copper Mountain Resort, Breckenridge Resort, @co_damsdude, Winter Park Resort, Keystone Resort, Steamboat Resort
