The current Chair 2 alignment. Image Credit: Tucker.

Dillon, Colorado — On I-70, the first ski area directly off the highway during a trip from Denver isn’t the one most go to. Loveland Ski Area has a less-fancy lift fleet compared to other Colorado ski resorts, with no gondola and only one high-speed chairlift. However, it’s getting a big upgrade next year.

Krystal Media reports that Loveland is planning to replace Chair 2 during the 2027 offseason. Currently, Chair 2/Lift 2 is a Yan fixed-grip triple that was installed back in 1985. It previously went all the way up to Ptarmigan Bowl, but was cut when a new Ptarmigan Lift was installed in 2018. It will be replaced by a new detachable high-speed quad.

This will be Loveland’s second high-speed chairlift. The first, Chet’s Dream, was installed back in 2018.

For skiers, the most notable change will be the new lift alignment. While it will start in a similar position to the current Chair 2, the new alignment will run through Cat’s Nix glade zone and end near the top of the Forest Meadow trail. Lift 2 previously served beginner terrain and also was a short ski over to Lift 6 and Ptarmigan. While farther away, the new Chair 2 will be a nice area for beginners to experience the big mountain. Because of this, they’re calling it the Forest Meadow Lift.

“The top terminal of Lift 2 is at one of the most congested parts of our mountain,” said Loveland’s GM Rob Goodell to Krystal 93. “It’s going to open up a nice new line through those Cat’s Nix trees, but also get you to some beginner terrain easier.”

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Recent Improvements

While Loveland isn’t as technological as other Summit County ski resorts, it has seen upgrades in recent years. These include replacing Lift 7 with a fixed-grip triple (with a quad full of space so three people can spread out) in 2024, adding Lift 6 in 2022, and installing a new covered conveyor lift in Loveland Valley.

Other projects, including this chairlift replacement and the 500-space parking expansion, were delayed by last winter’s mediocrity. This offseason did see some projects, including the removal of the old Lift 5.

Snowmaking could begin on October 1st, weather permitting.

Image/Video Credits: Loveland Ski Area, Tucker

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Ian Wood became passionate about the ski industry while learning to ski at Mt. Sunapee. In high school, he became a ski patroller at Proctor Ski Area. He travelled out...