Purgatory Resort has announced the construction of a new triple chairlift set to debut during the 2025/26 ski winter season, expanding frontside terrain and boosting access to the top of the mountain without requiring visitors to route through the Columbine or Village base areas.
The new Gelande triple chairlift will debut alongside five new trails and trail connectors. The fixed-grip chair, manufactured by Skytrac, will help to expand advanced and expert-level terrain on the frontside of the mountain. Two new work groups, many of which will be built from seasonal winter roles into year-round positions, will be formed to support the project.
“This marks an exciting next chapter for Purgatory. We’re investing in meaningful improvements that will not only enhance the mountain experience but also strengthen our year-round workforce and operational capabilities. It’s about giving people the freedom to ski—and making that experience better each season.” – Dave Rathbun, Purgatory Resort general manager.
To support the construction project, the Purgatory Bike Park will take a hiatus throughout the summer, allowing heavy equipment and truck traffic to travel on existing mountain roads without hindering safety. The closure period will also be used to continue bike park trail maintenance and improvements.
Progress on the resort’s new lift and trails will be shared on the resort’s Purgspective Blog, with updates and images shared by resort GM Dave Rathbun.
