Dillon, Colorado — This upcoming offseason, the oldest chairlift at Loveland Ski Area will be replaced.
Summit Daily reports that Loveland will replace Lift 7 after the ski area closes for the 2024-25 season. Installed more than forty years ago, this fixed-grip double chairlift serves two beginner trails in Loveland Valley’s learning area.
It will be replaced by a new Leitner-Poma fixed-grip quad chairlift, which will increase the carrying capacity from 1200 to 2000 passengers per hour. Interestingly, Loveland’s plan is to load a maximum of three people on a chair at a time so that riders can have a comfortable loading, sitting, and unloading experience.
“This new lift is all about creating a better experience for our guests,” said Rob Goodell, COO and Senior Vice President of Clear Creek Skiing Corporation (which runs Loveland). “By giving beginners more space to get comfortable loading, we’re helping families and new skiers feel confident from their very first run. It’s an investment in the future of skiing and riding at Loveland.”
This project was officially approved by the US Forest Service last week. The new Lift 7 is expected to be ready for the 2025-26 season. The old Lift 7 chairs will be sold off this summer in a lottery held exclusively for season passholders and employees.
Other planned improvements include regrading the Zig Zag trail and the beginning of to construct a new parking lot. The new lot is scheduled to open during the 2026-27 season.
Image Credits: Loveland Ski Area
