Breckenridge, Colorado — After spending the last several years improving the guest experience at Peak 8, Vail Resorts plans to keep investing in its most popular ski resort.
Summit Daily reports that the White River National Forest has approved a series of proposals submitted by Breckenridge Resort. Initial scoping started in May 2024, with the scoping being approved in June 2025. However, Vail Resorts states that additional approvals are still needed before they can begin working on the projects.
“The request for review filed by Breckenridge Ski Resort with the U.S. Forest Service and the agency’s decision memo is part of our standard planning process and the project is pending approvals,” said Breckenridge Resort in a statement to Summit Daily. “This step reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience across our Five Peaks, as demonstrated by the resort’s investment in three new chairlifts over the last four years: Freedom SuperChair on Peak 7 in 2021, the upgraded Rip’s Ride chair on Peak 8 in 2022, and the upgraded Five SuperChair on Peak 8 in 2023.”
These plans include a new gondola up Peak 9, a new beginner area on and around the Frontier trail, and the replacement of the C-Chair.
According to Vail Resorts & the U.S. Forest Service, these projects will help Breckenridge with the following deficiencies:
- “Improve the beginner experience for guests learning to ski and ride on Peak 9;
- Improve the arrival experience by reducing congestion in the Peak 9 portal and across the resort;
- Provide better connectivity between Peak 8 and Peak 9; and
- Improve guest circulation on the mountain.”
The New Lifts
The first project involves the installation of a gondola, providing a second lift option for those departing from the Maggie base area. Currently, Peak 9’s only chairlift from the Maggie base is the Quicksilver Superchair, a detachable high-speed six-pack chairlift. This gondola will feature a mid-station, providing access to a new beginner area. Its top terminal will be situated slightly below the A Chair, which is scheduled to be removed. The initial capacity will be 2,200 persons per hour.
The Peak 9 Gondola would enable the creation of a new beginner area on the Frontier trail. This will feature two new conveyor lifts, new snowmaking on Frontier, and a mountain hut with bathrooms. The platter lift currently on the lower portions of Peak 9 will also be relocated to the Frontier trail.
The third project involves replacing the C-Chair. The Riblet double chairlift was installed back in 1972. It will be replaced by a new detachable high-speed six-pack chairlift. The new chairlift would have a carrying capacity of around 3,000 people per hour. Its top terminal will be further uphill than its predecessor. It will be located above the Overlook Restaurant, providing increased access to terrain.
Jon Copeland, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Breck, issued the following statement to Summit Daily in May 2024:
“This project aligns with our resort’s priorities to continue to improve flow and circulation across our Five Peaks, specifically in and around our base areas and main portals to the mountain, focusing on upgrades that make our resort better versus bigger.”
Timing
A timeline for these projects has yet to be formally announced, as the ski resort is working towards full approval. However, with Breckenridge being the most popular ski resort in the country, it seems likely that these projects will be a priority for Vail Resorts.
Image Credits: Breckenridge Resort
