“It’s going to really open up our ability to train flat to steep, with the added terrain features. They’re talking about being able to build more terrain up on the flatter sections, so we can train our junior athletes up there. If you’re any kind of avid skier, or you know, like skiing, it’s just really cool to see the development of this kind take shape and form and kind of come together.”– Tommy Eckfeldt, Park City Ski and Snowboard Alpine Director.
The hub for U.S. Winter Olympians is about to become a whole lot better. KPCW reports that a chairlift and multiple training runs will be added to the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. This expansion follows the addition of a chairlift and an intermediate run that opened in 2019, which serves as a training venue. The 25-acre terrain expansion will be serviced by a high-speed quad, and tree clearing has already begun for the lift. Called the West Peak expansion, the trails will allow “dozens of different levels of ski racers can train on the same hill at the same time, by using differently set courses with individual training lanes separated by fencing.”
Utah Olympic Park Chief Operating Officer Calum Clark gave some details about the terrain expansion:
“We have 25 acres of skiing terrain, designed for alpine skiing and freestyle skiing. It’s going to be serviced by a high-speed quad chairlift. We have snowmaking and lights. The intent here is to really service the local youth in training and competition eventually, allow kids to be on the hill in a convenient location, to be able to ski under lights in a safe and productive way so that they’re able to go to school during the day and be able to train and refine their skills in the evening.”
Unfortunately, as great as these pitches look for shredding, the new chairlift will not be open to the public. They are considering a public uphill skinning season pass for certain time frames when people aren’t training. According to TownLift, the new chairlift will initially serve the following teams:
- The United States Ski and Snowboard Team
- The Park City Ski and Snowboard Team
- The University of Utah Ski Team
- The Romark Ski Team
- The National Ability Center Para Ski Team
The new chairlift and trails are expected to open during the 2022-23 season and could open as early as December. 
Image Credits: KPCW, TownLift, Skimap.org
