One of the biggest offseason projects in North America is happening at Sun Valley Resort. Two new chairlifts are going in, the Flying Squirrel trail is being extended, and 54 acres of additional tree skiing are being sculpted. Work has been steadfast throughout the offseason, with the projects entering the final stages.
On Sunday, Sun Valley gave an update on the new chairlift projects at the Warm Springs terrain pod. This update focused on the new Challenger chairlift, with them completing the electrical and mechanical work. Electrical work is also being done at the top terminal of the new Flying Squirrel chairlift. Haul ropes were installed on both of the chairlifts, so it won’t be long now until they’re ready to go.
The Challenger chairlift is being replaced by a high-speed six-pack chairlift. This new Doppelmayr chairlift is replacing Greyhawk and Challenger. The lift will have a mid-station unload, stop around the point where the top terminal of Greyhawk was, and will end at the Challengers’ top terminal.
A high-speed quad chairlift is replacing what was once the Flying Squirrel lift. Back in the summer of 2014, the Flying Squirrel chairlift was removed due to a structure fire that occurred during the prior winter. The difference between these two lifts though is that this one has a much longer length. The new chairlift will start at the current bottom terminal location of the Challenger lift, rise through the lower Warm Springs and Picabo trails, and end above the start of Picabo’s Street.
Additionally, an extension of the Flying Squirrel trail has been added in order to provide guests with an easy way down to the Warm Springs base area. This new trail includes snowmaking. There is also a gladed tree skiing expansion on Little Scorpion, which first opened during the 2022-23 season.
Sun Valley’s projected opening date is November 23rd.
Image/Video Credits: Sun Valley Resort, Cooper Morton
