The Heartland — Compared to the past few ski seasons, there aren’t as many lift projects going on this offseason at North American ski resorts. Still, there are some exciting things going on, especially in the Midwest.
Earlier this month, Midwest Skiers broke down five new lifts that will debut in the region during the 2026-27 season. These fixed-grip chairlifts and a rope tow will lead to an improved skiing and riding experience.
The New Lifts
Little Switzerland was known for its up-and-over chairlift, likely the first ever on the continent. It will be replaced by two separate quad chairlifts, which will increase capacity and reduce lift lines. Getting rid of the over-and-out system will lead to more space for unloading at the top. Both the terrain pods will be easily accessible from the new lifts.
Marquette Mountain is replacing its Rocket chair (a Riblet double) with a Doppelmayr fixed-grip triple chairlift. The lift alignments will start near the chalet and conclude slightly to the looker’s right of its predecessor, providing easier access to more terrain.
Nub’s Nob is replacing its Orange chairlift with another orange-painted lift. Nub’s fixed-grip triple will be replaced by a SkyTrac fixed-grip quad. The alignment will be mostly the same, but slightly modified for easier loading and unloading.
Lutsen Mountains has faced connectivity issues in recent years due to the washing out of the bridge on the Moose Return ski trail. On days with high winds, guests could get to Moose Mountain but not back without walking because key lifts were closed. Lutsen Mountains brought guests back by snowcat, but this wasn’t the most convenient process. The new plan is to offer a shuttle, and then guests will use a rope tow to return to the base area. It will also serve the Timberjack terrain park, adding a Midwest specialty to the region’s largest ski resort.
Image/Video Credits: Midwest Skiers, Little Switzerland, Nub’s Nob
