California — One of the biggest projects happening in the American West ski industry this summer is also happening at one of the most historic skiing destinations.
This offseason, Sugar Bowl Resort has continued work on its $100 million revitalization plan. On tap for this offseason is the replacement of its old Village Gondola with a new Doppelmayr system, a renovation to the Main Lodge, a redesign of the beginner learning area, a buildout of an expanded snow beach, and new snowmaking guns in the terrain park’s athlete zone.
The New Village Gondola
The key project is the new gondola. Sugar Bowl was the first ski resort in the Western U.S. to install a gondola, which debuted in 1953. This new Doppelmayr eight-pack gondola system is replacing the old model from 1983, which could seat four passengers per cabin. Progress has been solid so far, with some of the new lift towers installed. A key portion of the work is going towards the locations of the terminals. The highway-side building has been removed to accommodate the new lift, while they’re trying to keep the village-side building as intact as possible.
“One of the things that makes Sugar Bowl so special is that arriving here has always felt like part of the adventure,” said Sugar Bowl CEO Bridget Legnavsky in a July 28 update. “We wanted to preserve that feeling while making the experience better for everyone. The new gondola stays true to our history, but it’s also fully ADA accessible and built to serve generations of guests well into the future.”
Finding $100 Million
If you were curious about the funding for this project, it comes from Sugar Bowl’s ownership structure. The ownership consists of the 170 homeowners at the ski resort and is led by a San Francisco-based corporation. While the corporation paid for part of it, the homeowners footed most of the bill.
“The project is being funded through a combination of resort investment and significant contributions from our homeowner community, whose support reflects a long-term commitment to Sugar Bowl’s future,” Legnavsky said. “This investment is something truly unique about Sugar Bowl. Our homeowners chose to invest because they believe in this place and want to preserve its spirit for future generations. Their support allows us to make meaningful improvements while staying true to the character, independence, and sense of community that have defined Sugar Bowl for nearly 90 years.”
Phase 1
These additions are the next step in Sugar Bowl’s $100 million revitalization plan. Last offseason saw various major projects, which included an extensive renovation to the Village Lodge. These Village Lodge projects included creating new locker rooms and expanding the deck.
The new gondola, renovated Main Lodge, and new learning area are on track to open in late 2026.
Image/Video Credits: Sugar Bowl Resort
