Amazing news out of Colorado where the Breckenridge Ski Resort is finally spinning Imperial SuperChair, the highest elevation chairlift in North America:
“Imperial is OPEN which means that ALL LIFTS are spinning for the season at Breck! With less-than-stellar snowfall this season, we’re blessed to have a more-than-stellar team to get us out there for that signature high alpine experience we’ve all been waiting for!”
This iconic lift reaches an elevation of 12,840 feet giving skiers and snowboarders nearly instant access to 400 acres of expert and extreme terrain that will leave you breathless including deep chutes and sweeping bowls:
If you plan on riding Imperial and enjoying some of the best lift accessed above tree-line skiing in the country remember that altitude sickness could be a factor so hydrate aggressively, avoid alcohol, and take breaks when needed. Have fun!
The Highest Chairlift in North America: Breckenridge’s Imperial SuperChair
When Breckenridge unveiled the Imperial SuperChair during the 2005 season, it didn’t just add another lift — it changed the way skiers accessed high-alpine terrain in Colorado. Topping out at 12,840 feet, the Imperial remains the highest chairlift in North America, climbing to within roughly 100 vertical feet of the summit of Peak 8.
Before the lift went in, reaching this terrain meant a 45-minute hike above treeline. Now, advanced and expert skiers can lap more than 400 acres of high-alpine bowls, chutes and steeps with a quick 2.7-minute ride.
From the top, skiers can drop into Art’s Bowl, Peak 7 Bowl, North Bowl, Whale’s Tail and Breck’s in-bounds extreme terrain in the Lake Chutes. Strong advanced-intermediates can test themselves in Imperial Bowl directly beneath the lift. The terrain sits fully above timberline, delivering wide-open views and big-mountain exposure without requiring true backcountry travel.
Imperial Express by the Numbers:
- Peak Elevation: 12,840 ft
- Base Elevation: 11,901 ft
- Vertical Rise: 939 ft
- Ride Time: 2.7 minutes
- Length: 2,714.8 ft
- Lift Towers: 9
- Capacity: 600 people per hour (upgradeable to 1,800)
- Chairs: 15 (upgradeable to 45)
To access the Imperial Express, skiers can connect from Peak 9 via the Peak 8 SuperConnect, traverse from Peak 8 along Frosty’s Freeway to Chair 6, or link from the Rocky Mountain SuperChair via the T-Bar and Lone Wolf or Nut Trail. For those chasing thin air and steep lines, the Imperial Express remains one of the most iconic lift rides in North America — delivering high-altitude turns without the bootpack.
