What’s New at Every Destination Ski Resort: 2024-25
The past few years have seen some of the largest capital investments in North American skiing history, and for the 2024-25 season, a large number of resorts are promising to continue this trend. This past summer, more than 50 ski areas spearheaded some sort of investment to their slopes, lodges, lifts, and many other aspects of the ski areas.
But not all investments are created equal. So which ones are solely “nice-to-haves,” and which ones have the potential to be true game changers? And are we expecting the same caliber of improvements as the past few seasons, or are things starting to slow down? In this piece, we’ll go through the scheduled upgrades at each of these mountains for the 2024-25 season, and we’ll detail the implications if you’re planning a trip there.
To break everything down, we’ll tier each suite of improvements into four different categories:
Minor Investments: smaller-scale changes that aren’t intended to have huge front-facing experience impacts
Noteworthy Investments: important changes that aren’t the most prominent, but have the potential to bring palpable experience improvements
Substantial Investments: changes that we expect most guests will prominently notice
Game-Changing Investments: changes that will not only be noticed, but have the potential to expand the resorts appeal to a meaningful new clientele
And if we didn’t cover a mountain, it means that either we haven’t visited the mountain, and can’t give a first-hand report on how the area would change, no serious investments have been made for the upcoming season—or at least as of this recording, haven’t been announced yet. With that all being said, let’s jump in.
Several ski resorts are seeing upgrades in snowmaking, grooming equipment, employee housing, glade clearing, and RFID lift access.
Tier 1: Minor Investments
Starting out, we have some more under-the-radar investments that won’t exactly make a splash, but are intended to keep resorts operating to their fullest potential for the foreseeable future. And there are a ton of resorts getting these small-scale upgrades.
General Upgrade Initiatives
Before we jump into specific projects, we want to highlight a few general upgrade initiatives that have made their way to dozens of resorts around the continent. A large chunk of the North American ski scene has announced investments in snowmaking, new grooming equipment, employee housing, trail and glade clearing, and RFID upgrades for the upcoming season. It’s also possible that others are continuing to invest in these areas in an under-the-radar fashion:
SNOWMAKING UPGRADES:
NEW SNOWCATS:
NEW EMPLOYEE HOUSING
GLADE CLEARING
NEW RFID ACCESS
My Epic Gear
In a continuation of a company-wide rollout, Vail Resorts is adding the following mountains to their My Epic Gear program, a Vail Resorts-run subscription program that will allow guests access to the same model of skis, snowboards, and boots throughout the season at any of these mountains.
Several Vail Resorts-owned ski areas are piloting a gear subscription program for the upcoming season.
Next, we can move on to a few small-scale investments that may be low key, but are still worth calling out individually.
Alta, UT
Carpet and Trail Enhancements
Starting with Alta, this top of the line Utah resort is adding new covered conveyor lifts to their Albion base area, improving the beginner experience. One of these will be open to the public, while the other is for ski school only. On the other end of the terrain spectrum, Alta is also improving the Ballroom and High Traverses, creating smoother and wider access paths to some of the most popular intermediate, advanced, and expert terrain.
Brian Head in Southern Utah is adding a few new trails for beginners and intermediates.
Brian Head, UT
New Trails
Brian Head in southern Utah will be expanding its trail network, adding three trails. This includes two beginner trails and one intermediate trail, expanding its offering for skiers and riders of those abilities. They haven’t announced where on the mountain those additions are, so keep an eye on the trail map to see.
Brighton, UT
Expanded Night Skiing
Utah’s largest night skiing footprint is getting bigger, as Brighton is adding lights over on the Milly side of the resort. This is a continued expansion of this type of operation, as the Snake Creek area was retrofitted for night skiing only a few years ago. This upgrade means that there will be night skiing off every lift at Brighton except Great Western, and that after-work skiers and riders will have even more terrain to explore under the lights.
Buttermilk, CO
Base Area Improvements
Aspen’s Buttermilk ski area is getting a few new base area improvements. First, there’s a new Guest Services Building, which provides a great new spot to get tickets, rentals, and lessons. Second, the mountain lodge has been renovated, offering high ceilings and expansive dining options, as well as a renovated patio, which offers heaters for days when the sun is out, but the weather is still a little chilly.
The stunning Diamond Peak will be adding a backcountry gate to its peak, allowing access to some gnarly lines out of bounds.
Diamond Peak, NV
New Backcountry Gate
Diamond Peak, located on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, is adding a small upgrade, but a welcome one for a small community. There will now be a backcountry access gate at the top of the Crystal Express, which allows for easy access to some of the most stunning backcountry lines in Tahoe, accessed off the backside of Diamond Peak.
Eldora, CO
New Base Area Building
Colorado’s Eldora ski area, which is located just 30 minutes from the Denver suburb of Boulder, is seeing a new building in its base area this season. The Caribou Lodge will be the brand new facility for the ski school, as well as the nonprofit Ignite Adaptive Sports, which helps people of all ages and abilities learn to love winter sports. The facility also hosts a cafe and a solar roof that provides more energy than the building uses.
Heavenly, CA/NV
New Base Area Restaurant
The Lake Tahoe area’s Heavenly resort is adding a new restaurant to its California Lodge. This restaurant, Golden State Kitchen, offers healthier alternatives to the typical chili and fries typically found at base lodges, although it won’t add any seating.
Loon, NH
New Base Area Patio
New Hampshire’s Loon mountain is making an upgrade to its Octagon Lodge base, which sees a redesign to its patio. The surface will be set up to melt snow quicker, and a new walkway will change the flow to and from the lodge.
Oregon’s Mount Bachelor is getting new restrooms in outlier areas, making it more comfortable to lap pods such as Northwest Express and Cloudchaser without heading to the base area.
Mount Bachelor, OR
Facilities Improvements
Oregon’s largest ski area, Mount Bachelor, is making a few improvements, starting with a remodel of the Sunrise Lodge. This investment will add 50 seats to the indoor seating area, and allow for mobile ordering from the cafe. Also, Mount Bachelor is adding restrooms to some outlier areas, which include the Northwest Express pod, the Outback Express pod, and the Cloudchaser Express pod.
Mount Rose
Base Improvements + Extended Hours
Nevada’s Mount Rose ski resort, located just east of Lake Tahoe, is making some base area improvements. These include the addition of the Timbers Taco stand in their Mountain View dining area, improvements to the Lodgepole Cafe, and improved flooring. They will also be extending their popular “Open Late” hours, which starts in Late February, and will now allow for skiing and riding until 6:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays once this program gets off the ground.
Okemo, VT
Beginner Area Revamp + New Trail
Vermont’s Okemo ski area is getting a small upgrade, but one that will be important for beginners. One of the carpet lifts at the Jackson Gore base area will be extended, and the other will be moved to the Clock Tower base behind Building 3, which will be closer to the ski school. These moves should help with first time skiers and riders in progressing to steeper slopes at both main base areas.
Palisades Tahoe is getting new restaurants at its base areas and the Gold Coast mid-mountain lodge.
Palisades Tahoe, CA
Facilities Improvements
The Tahoe region’s largest ski area, Palisades Tahoe, is also making some base area improvements. A new cafe called the Little Bear Cafe will be located near the Tram, and will have in-house baked goods, as well as warm drinks and small plates. On the Alpine Meadows side, a new barbeque place will be located near the Base-to-Base Gondola terminal, promising plenty of smoked meats and other food options. At the Gold Coast on-mountain lodge, a new restaurant called 39 Degrees will serve Asian cuisine.
Park City, UT
Trail Enhancements
Utah's Park City, which is the largest ski area in the United States, will see a minor enhancement this season. Several trails in the Tombstone area have been reworked to facilitate earlier openings and improve skier traffic flow. These upgrades aim to alleviate congestion on runs that tend to get crowded throughout the peak times of the year.
Plattekill, NY
New Trail + Base Lodge Enhancements
The smallest Catskills ski area, Plattekill, is making a few changes this winter, including a new intermediate trail called Whiskey’s Way. They have also finished new carpeting across all three floors of their main lodge, which should make for a more comfortable and modern experience.
Red Mountain, BC
New Condo Accommodations
Southern British Columbia’s Red Mountain is getting a welcome addition to its base area with The Crescent, a condo project that has already sold out. The Crescent adds 102 condos to the base area, and guests will be able to rent them out through Red Mountain’s lodging division.
The stunning Revelstoke Mountain will be moving its Mountain Sports School up to the top of its Revelation Gondola, following the move of the learning area last year.
Revelstoke, BC
Relocated Ski School
Revelstoke is the tallest ski area in North America, and the resort is using that elevation to its advantage. Following the move of the learning area to the top of the Revelation Gondola, the resort is also moving the Mountain Sports School up there. This will relocate the starting point of intermediate through expert lessons and other education programs to be in a much more scenic location, as well as place the school in a place with better snow conditions and easier access to the upper mountain.
Sierra-at-Tahoe, CA
Road and Parking Renovations + Ikon Access
California’s Sierra-at-Tahoe has been through a lot in the past few years, with the resort seeing a radical transformation after a major wildfire in 2021. Nevertheless, the resort continues to make improvements and access changes. Along with joining the Ikon Pass as a five or seven day partner, they have re-paved their parking lots and access road, ensuring easier access and plowing for the coming years
Snowbasin, UT
Parking Rework + Gondola Refurbishment
Northern Utah’s Snowbasin resort is embarking on a multi-year modernization of its popular Needles Gondola. This project will see a refurbishment of ⅓ of the gondola cabins this year, including new windows, components, and seats. All cabins will be refurbished before the 2025-26 season. Additionally, the entry road, Trapper’s Loop, has been reworked to ease entry, and some parking in the desirable Earl’s Lot will be reserved for cars with three or more passengers to incentivize carpooling.
Stevens Pass in Washington is introducing paid parking in the pink lots shown on the map. During weekends and holidays these lots will be reservation only, though certain carpools are exempt.
Stevens Pass, WA
Parking Policy Change
Washington’s Stevens Pass is introducing a new parking reservation policy this season. This may not sound that great on the surface, but it should help address one of the largest issues with the ski area: access road traffic. During weekends and holidays, lots A, B, E, and G will be reservation-only, which is around half of the lots at Stevens Pass. These lots will cost $20 for most guests, but they will at least be free for cars with four or more occupants or single adults with two children under the age of 12. All parking on non-holiday weekdays will continue to be free.
Stratton, VT
Lift Refurbishments + Restauraunt Relocation
Vermont’s Stratton already has one of the most modern lift setups in the Northeast, and they’ll be aiming to sustain that competitive advantage this year. The Ursa and American Express lifts will have their control systems, tower circuits, hydraulic brake units, hydraulic tension units, cyclo spacing units, and drive machinery upgraded, as well as other minor components. Also at Stratton, the Benedicts restaurant will move to the Stratton Courtyard, replacing Carve, and will offer breakfast and brunch items all day. Also, the Waffle Cabin is making a triumphant return after at least half a decade of absence.
Sugar Bowl, CA
Terrain Park + Lodge Enhancements
The snowiest ski area in the North Lake Tahoe region is seeing a few minor upgrades this upcoming season. First, Sugar Bowl is redesigning their terrain park setup, with a goal of becoming one of the top training grounds for park athletes. While we don’t have many specifics, expect to see larger and better-built features in the future as the parks become more of a priority for Sugar Bowl. Additionally, the Village Lodge is finishing up some renovations to its espresso bar, lobby, and Deluxe Suite, which should update that space for years to come.
Sugarloaf, ME
Trail + Terrain Park Work
After last year’s debut of the 120-acre West Mountain Expansion, Sugarloaf is chugging along on the enhancement train this season, albeit to a smaller degree than last winter. First off, the resort is completing trail work in the West Mountain area that it didn’t get to last year; most notably, this includes improving the Buzzsaw Express load and unloads, installing a new skier bridge over Sawtooth Way, and adding snowmaking. Outside of West Mountain, the terrain parks at Sugarloaf are changing a bit, with the medium park moving to the Whiffletree area, putting all terrain parks in that one area. Finally, the base area is getting a very stereotypical Maine addition, as L.L. Bean is getting a location in the base area, making sure you can look the part at this northern Maine resort.
Taos, NM
Base Area Restaurant Improvements
Northern New Mexico’s Taos Ski Valley is seeing a few enhancements, mainly to its base area restaurants. Both Tenderfoot Katie’s and the Martini Tree Bar have been redesigned to increase capacity, which should help decrease wait times at the already not-too-busy base area.
Telluride is adding a trail which dives into the history of the area, which should mesh well with the historic town the ski area is named for.
Telluride, CO
New Trail
Southern Colorado’s Telluride ski area is getting an interesting addition to its trail network this season. The resort is adding the new Heritage Trail within the intermediate Enchanted Forest Glade area off Lift 10. This kid-friendly adventure trail will be designed to educate visitors about the history of the region, including the indigenous people, exploitation of the land, and rise of mining.
Vail, CO
Updated Mid-Vail Lodge
The largest resort in Colorado, Vail, is getting a small upgrade, as a new bar is opening at the Mid-Vail on-mountain lodge. The new Powerline Pub will be accessible for those skiing and riding plus those on foot, as the Gondola One can bring foot traffic up from the base for those looking to watch a football game at over 10,000 ft.
Whiteface, NY
New Base Area Patio
After a big new lift last year with the Notch Quad, Whiteface in the Adirondacks of New York is seeing a smaller investment this year. The Bear Den Learning Center will be getting a new patio this season, kitted out with in-ground heating to ease with snow removal.
Winter Park in Colorado is adding some Arapahoe translations to trail signs in the Eagle Wind area.
Winter Park, CO
Restaurant and Trail Sign Changes
Winter Park is making a small change on paper, but one they feel is important for the culture of the ski area. They are replacing trail signs in the Eagle Wind area with signs that include Arapahoe translations of trail names. Winter Park has worked closely with the Northern Arapahoe Tribe, especially with the Eagle Wind area, and it is trying to educate the public more on the native history of the land the ski area sits on. In addition, the Outpost at the top of Wild Spur Express will be partnering with Tocabe, an American Indian Eatery, to offer unique on-mountain foods. Tocabe-made chili will also be available at other on-mountain dining establishments, and the Mary Jane Cafe will also have other Tocabe offerings.
White Pass, WA
Learning Area and Patio Improvements
Washington state’s White Pass ski area is seeing a few new enhancements this season, including an improved beginner area and lodge. The learning area is being reshaped to use manmade snow features to make learning to ski or ride easier. This is the same type of learning terrain used at New Jersey’s Big Snow and Mountain Creek, and has shown promising results for first time skiers and riders. Additionally, the patio under the outdoor deck has been enclosed to allow for more heated seating with great views out of expansive windows.
Wolf Creek, CO
Parking Lot Renovation
One of the most isolated ski areas in Colorado is making a major parking lot improvement. Wolf Creek’s 4x4 lot, which has a ski-in trail to it, will be paved for the season, effectively making its name obsolete.
Tier 2: Noteworthy Investments
Next up, we have the upgrades that have significant potential to overhaul on-mountain resort experiences, although they might not exactly be headliners.
The Belleayre Discovery Lodge will be expanded by 25,000 ft, making for more room for rentals and food in this base area.
Belleayre, NY
Lodge Expansion + Overlook Quad Mid-Station
One of the most popular resorts in New York State’s Catskills region, Belleayre, is making some notable improvements across the mountain this winter. First off, the resort is adding a beginner carpet and learning area to the top of the Gondola, mirroring similar investments out west, which allows learners and beginners the same mountaintop views usually offered for intermediate or higher level skiers or riders, as well as better snow retention.
Another improvement is for the Overlook Quad chair, which is getting a mid-unload. This mid-station was built into the lift when it was added last year, but work was completed for that mid-station for this season, and should make this lift more usable for skiers and riders lapping the terrain park and intermediate trails below the steeper Yahoo trail.
Finally, the Discovery Lodge is getting a 25,000 square foot expansion, seeing a new rental center on the ground floor and expanded food service and seating on the upper floor.
Copper, CO
Timberline Express Six-Pack
Colorado’s Copper Mountain is getting one of many new high-speed six-pack chairs this winter, with the new Timberline Express chair replacing a high-speed quad of the same name. This upgrade should help bring about a decrease in wait times to lap this popular mid-mountain intermediate pod of trails. Additionally, a new child care facility has opened at the Center Village, making for an important asset for visitors and employees alike.
Crystal, WA
New Base Complex
After years of anticipation, Washington State’s Crystal Mountain is finally seeing a new and improved base area this upcoming winter. The Mountain Commons will bring 25,000 square feet of base area facilities, including food and beverage, skier services, and a general viewing area. Additionally, the Queens beginner run has been widened, which is intended to improve the beginner experience in the Forest Queen pod, although some expert lines have been slightly altered in the process as well.
Fernie in British Columbia is making some changes that should allow its summit Polar Peak lift to run more reliably, which is currently a big issue.
Fernie, BC
Resiliency + Facilities Enhancements
Far eastern British Columbia’s Fernie resort is making a few small changes that could have big impacts this year. One is a facelift of the Griz Bar at its base area, expanding seating at this iconic après spot.
Another more notable investment for hardcore skiers and riders is the addition of a snowcat to the top of Polar Peak. This will allow for faster turnarounds from storms for opening this lift, which already has one of the most fickle schedules in the industry. Hopefully, this plan will provide more opportunities to ski some of this standout terrain.
Mad River Glen, VT
New Sunnyside Lift Mid-Station
The East Coast’s most raw and challenging mountain, Mad River Glen, is getting an interesting but important upgrade this season, with the resort adding a mid-station to their Sunnyside double chairlift. This mid-station will allow for easier access to the Birdland beginner area, as well as provide a lappable area on man-made snow, as there is no snowmaking above 2300’ at Mad River Glen.
Currently, only the Practice slope area (Lift 4) is open if there is not enough natural snow to ski or ride on, and this will more than double the amount of terrain that can be opened in the early season when the upper mountain is closed.
Mammoth Mountain’s old Broadway chair is getting a much needed replacement, which will increase capacity and allow the lift to run for years to come.
Mammoth, CA
Broadway Express (Chair 1) Six-Pack
Mammoth Mountain in California is getting some improvements that we’d argue are worthy of the ski area’s name. The Broadway chair, one of the most popular at the mountain, is getting replaced with a high-speed six-pack, bringing a much-needed 25% capacity increase. Additionally, the Woolly's Tube Park is getting a day lodge to provide concessions, restrooms, and indoor seating to the popular off-slope activity.
Mount Ashland, OR
New Lift-Served Terrain + Lithia Triple Chair
One of Oregon’s smallest ski areas is getting one of North America’s smallest terrain expansions, but don’t let the size fool you.
The new Lithia triple chair at Mount Ashland will serve lower-intermediate terrain, and eases the jump from the beginner area to the main face of the mountain, which is more focused on upper-intermediate to advanced terrain. This expansion doesn’t expand the skiable acreage of Mount Ashland, as this area was non-lift served, but it does add some practical progression terrain right near the base. The chair will start where the current avalanche beacon park is, and will go to the top of the Sonnet chair.
Additionally, the Aisle 2 trail will be widened, and some night skiing lights will be replaced with LED lighting.
Red River, NM
Copper Triple Chair
New Mexico’s Red River ski area, located north of Taos in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, is getting a brand new chairlift this year. The ancient Copper double chair, which was the oldest lift on the mountain, is getting replaced with a new fixed-grip triple chair of the same name, increasing capacity and easing loading and unloading—and likely resulting in less people getting pushed into the creek while loading. Red River is also introducing a beginner lift ticket that allows lift access to just the bunny hill at a reduced rate.
Snowbird’s Wilbere double chair is getting replaced with a quad and realigned, which will help relieve crowding at the Creekside base.
Snowbird, UT
Wilbere Quad Chair
Utah’s Snowbird is getting a new chairlift, as well as some base area improvements. The Wilbere chair is getting replaced with a new fixed-grip quad with a loading carpet, and the loading area is moving much closer to the Creekside base area. This is intended to help with accessing this small terrain pod faster, and should help with crowd flow by giving those starting at the Creekside base more out-of-base options. However, this relocation will make it slightly longer for guests coming from the Peruvian base and some nearby condos to get to the top of this terrain pod, which not everyone will appreciate.
Just below the Tram deck, fans of Snowbird’s tram will see a familiar sight, as the original Red Tram will be installed on the patio. Finally, the Mid-Gad restaurant will not be present this year, as it was demolished to make way for a new restaurant for next year, and those looking to stop in will need to find another place, either at the Creekside base or at Hidden Peak.
Sugarbush, VT
Heaven’s Gate Quad Chair
Vermont’s Sugarbush ski resort is seeing a replacement of what’s arguably one of its most important chairlifts.
The Heaven’s Gate triple chair is getting replaced with a fixed-grip quad with a loading carpet, making for more reliable laps to this high elevation terrain pod. It’s important to note that this new quad isn’t bringing an increase in capacity, as there are fewer chairs on the line, resulting in a relatively similar throughput to the triple it’s replacing. The main reason for this replacement is the age of the outgoing lift, which was installed over 40 years ago. The heavier quad chairs should also be more reliable in the high winds of Lincoln Peak.
Summit at Snoqualmie’s Wildside chair is getting a replaced with a new quad in a new alignment, which should help with crowd flow in that area.
Summit at Snoqualmie, WA
Wildside Quad + New Central/West Crossover
Summit at Snoqualmie is making some serious changes this winter. The Wildside chair at Summit West, which is five decades old, is getting a fixed-grip quad chair replacement. The new chair is in a new alignment that should decrease the amount of traversing required to lap some terrain, and will feature a loading carpet to make for faster rides and fewer misloads.
Additionally, the Central to West crossover has been reworked to ease navigation in the area.
Finally, Summit at Snoqualmie is introducing paid parking at all lots, with no cost for season pass holders and multi-day ticket holders, $5 for Ikon Pass holders and single day ticket holders, and $55 for non-skiers and riders and backcountry skiers or riders, which is intended to make it financially untenable for those not using Snoqualmie’s facilities to park in the lots.
Sundance, UT
New Base Lodge + Parking Expansion
Utah’s Sundance ski area, located south of many of the most famous Wasatch ski resorts, is seeing a few enhancements for this upcoming season.
First off, the Mountain Camp Day Lodge is being built at the base of Jake’s Lift, making for a proper day lodge at that base area for the first time, with amenities such as food and drinks, gear rentals, a ticket office, and lockers. In the same area, the Lot E parking area has been expanded by 110 spaces to accommodate the expected demand.
Finally, The Springs Relaxation Pools, which is a spa-like area, has been added to the base area, providing another unique opportunity for a post-slopes activity.
Sun Valley, ID
Seattle Ridge Six-Pack
Idaho’s Sun Valley is seeing a lift replacement in its popular Seattle Ridge area. The former high-speed quad is getting replaced by a high-speed six-pack, which should add 20% to the uphill capacity, making for even shorter lines at this popular low-intermediate terrain pod.
Whistler Blackcomb’s Jersey Cream Express lift is getting an upgrade to a six-pack lift, replacing one of the oldest high-speed lifts on the mountain.
Whistler Blackcomb, BC
Jersey Cream Six-Pack
Rounding out the noteworthy improvements on this list, North America’s largest ski area, Whistler Blackcomb is getting its own six-pack replacement, with the Jersey Cream high-speed quad getting traded out for a high-speed six-pack.
This lift was delayed a year due to labor shortages, but is finally making its way onto a ski hill after originally being planned as a replacement for the Eagle Express at Park City. This lift should bring much more reliable operations than the outgoing quad, which was over 35 years old, as well as an uphill capacity increase of 29%, which should help quell lines at this popular mid-mountain pod and navigational route.
Elsewhere on Blackcomb, several trails are getting reworked. The most notable of these is that the Blue Line and Crystal Traverse blue square runs have been replaced with black diamond runs, while the Showcase Bowl off the t-bar has also been re-designated as a black diamond. Notably, this change turns the Showcase t-bar into an advanced and expert-only lift. These changes have supposedly been made due to glacier recession in the area.
Over on Whistler, the hike-to Flute Bowl has also been reclassified to no longer have any intermediate-rated terrain.
Tier 3: Substantial Investments
Next up, we have headliner changes that we expect the vast majority of resort guests to prominently notice.
Alpental is adding a new chairlift, which should relieve pressure on the overworked Edelweiss chair, which is currently the only way to the upper mountain.
Alpental, WA
Internationale Triple Chair
The first substantial improvement on our list is at Washington’s Alpental, a part of the larger Summit at Snoqualmie complex that surrounds I-90. The ski area is installing the new Internationale triple chair in a completely new alignment, which will provide a second lift route to the famous Alpental Back Bowls for the first time. This should make for a huge change to the way crowds flow at Alpental, taking pressure off the overworked Edelweiss chair, which is currently the only route to the upper mountain, as well as the lower-mountain Armstrong Express, which has historically been required to lap some of the most popular expert terrain, including the Internationale trail itself.
Additionally, more Gazex and Wyssen avalanche mitigation infrastructure is being installed at Alpental, making ski patrol’s job easier, safer, and faster, and allowing for some of the most extreme and dangerous terrain to be opened quicker after storms.
Finally, just as the rest of Summit at Snoqualmie is doing, Alpental is introducing paid parking at all lots, with no cost for season pass holders and multi-day ticket holders, $5 for Ikon Pass holders and single day ticket holders, and $55 for non-skiers and riders and backcountry skiers or riders.
Banff Sunshine Village, AB
Super Angel Express Luxury Six-Pack
One of Canada’s most stunningly beautiful but also staggeringly cold ski areas is replacing a lift that will provide some welcome relief from that weather. The Angel Express, one of Banff Sunshine’s oldest lifts, is getting replaced with the Super Angel Luxury Express, a bubble six-pack, in the same alignment.
This will be Banff Sunshine’s second bubble chair lift after the Teepee Town Luxury Express, and will serve some of the most popular above treeline intermediate terrain. The chairs will also be more wind resistant due to the added weight, although bubble chairs can sometimes catch more wind, so it will be interesting to see whether weight or wind wins out.
California’s Bear Valley is getting a few lift overhauls, which will decrease the number of centerpole double chairlifts from four down to just one.
Bear Valley, CA
Multiple Lift Replacements
California’s Bear Valley, located south of the Lake Tahoe region, is seeing some major investments following their takeover by California Mountain Resort Company.
The largest improvement for this season is the replacement of the Koala chair with a fixed-grip quad. This not only increases capacity to this underutilized area, but will make loading and unloading easier, as currently the chairlift is an ancient center-pole double chair with a very steep unload. This will make some low-intermediate to advanced terrain much more appealing to lap, and should take some crowds, however rare, away from other terrain areas.
Additionally, the formerly unused Kuma triple chair is getting a new life, as it’s getting cut down to serve the same terrain as the Cub chair, with that lift getting removed. This will make for more capacity on that beginner terrain, as well as easier loading and unloading in comparison to the old center-pole chairs.
The final lift improvement is also doing away with center-pole chairs, as the Super Cub chair is getting its chairs replaced with a newer chair design, which should ease loading and unloading. All those projects will decrease the amount of center-pole chairs from four to one, with the only remaining one being the advanced and expert Grizzly chair. Speaking of
Grizzly, the terrain in this lower elevation bowl is getting slightly reworked to ease grooming and allow the terrain to open with less snow than previously required. Some areas with more brush that pops up through the snow will get cut down, specifically at the bottom of the Grizzly Bowl. All these improvements combine to make the lift network easier for beginners and intermediates and allow the Grizzly Bowl to open more often, which are two of the biggest complaints with Bear Valley as a whole.
Bear Mountain, CA
Midway (Chair 5) Six-Pack
Not to be confused with Bear Valley, Bear Mountain is one of the largest ski areas in southern California, and the resort is also making a splash with lift improvements.
Bear Mountain is replacing two lifts, Chair 2 and Chair 5, with a new high-speed six pack called Midway. This will be Bear Mountain’s third high speed lift and will provide fast laps to beginners, intermediates, and park skiers and riders. The lift will have a loading conveyor to ease with loading. The new lift will have about the same theoretical uphill capacity as the two outgoing lifts, but should be easier to load, which boosts usable uphill capacity as the chair doesn’t have to slow or stop for misloads. The chair will be less than a three minute ride, which is shorter than both outgoing chairs, even though Chair 5 was half the length. Overall, this should simplify the base area and allow for faster laps for all Bear Mountain visitors.
The Madison 8 chair will provide a major capacity and speed increase to a critical part of Big Sky’s footprint.
Big Sky, MT
Madison 8 Bubble Chair
If there’s any ski area that’s been on an investment grind over the past few years, it’s gotta be Montana’s Big Sky, and that investment push isn’t stopping this year. Last year’s Lone Peak Tram installation is getting its finishing touches, including a massive enclosure built from over 400 glass panels, making for a stunning architectural structure.
Perhaps more important for the skiers and riders is the new Madison 8 lift, which is an eight person bubble lift replacing the Six Shooter lift in the Moonlight Basin area of the resort. This upgrade is expected to increase capacity by around 50%, and the bubbles should provide a welcome break from the elements on those cold Montana days. On a more minor note, Big Sky is also installing a short new gondola that will provide real estate access from the new One&Only hotel.
Gore Mountain, NY
Hudson Express Quad
New York’s largest ski area, Gore, is seeing some big improvements this year. First up is a replacement for the Hudson triple chair with a new high-speed quad. This will make for much faster laps in this low elevation pod, and despite its remote location, we expect the installation to bring traffic away from other busier terrain pods.
In addition to the Hudson Express, the Northwoods Gondola is getting its own improvements. The gondola cabins will be upgraded this year allowing for wider skis to be put in the ski racks, and making the gondola ready to go for years to come.
Hunter, NY
Broadway Express Six-Pack + Otis Quad
Perhaps Vail Resorts’ most consequential upgrades are happening this season at Hunter Mountain in the Catskills. First up is a replacement of the Broadway fixed-grip quad with a high-speed six-pack. This chair is in a slightly adjusted alignment, which will allow for easier access to the F lift. This replacement also brings a capacity increase of 55%, which should help with the notorious crowding all too common at Hunter Mountain.
Luckily, another lift at Hunter is due for a capacity increase, as the former Broadway quad is getting moved to replace the E double lift, effectively doubling the capacity. The lift is also getting a new name, Otis. That lift is expected to revitalize this previously-seldom-open area, especially improving the experience for intermediate-level visitors.
Jackson Hole’s Sublette lift, which accesses some of the best advanced and expert terrain at the resort, is getting a high-speed replacement for this season.
Jackson Hole, WY
Sublette High-Speed Quad
Perhaps the most important upgrade of the year for expert skiers and riders is Jackson Hole’s new Sublette lift. This previously fixed-grip quad is getting an upgrade to a high-speed quad, doubling the line speed of the chair. While there is no capacity boost from this upgrade, the faster ride time should make for some really quick expert-oriented laps in this area. This is also the last of Jackson Hole’s major lift pods to become high-speed, making close to 100% of terrain lappable with detachable lifts, and pushing Jackson Hole up further in contention for best ski area in the country.
Lake Louise is adding its first bubble six-pack chair, the Pipestone Express, which will make for a third route from the base to the backside when combined with the Juniper Express.
Source: Lake Louise
Lake Louise, AB
Pipestone Express Bubble Six-Pack
Perhaps the most beautiful ski area in North America, Lake Louise is also rounding out a major investment with the addition of the Pipestone Express bubble six pack.
This lift runs in a new alignment from the top of the Juniper Express to the bottom of the Summit lift, adding a new redundant lift route from the base to the upper mountain and finally creating a real purpose for the Juniper Express, which has been largely useless up until this point. This lift installation also makes lapping the advanced and expert lines in the West Bowl much easier, and the bubbles on the lift gives skiers and riders welcome isolation from the frigid Canadian weather. This lift will also provide yet another way to access the popular back side.
Pleasant Mountain, ME
Summit Express Quad
Pleasant Mountain, one of the closest ski areas to Portland, Maine, is getting a major lift upgrade this year, as the mountain’s old Summit Triple chair is getting replaced with a used high-speed quad.
This will halve the ride time of the old chair down to 4.5 minutes, making this local mountain much more desirable for skiers and riders. This will also make Pleasant Mountain the fourth ski area in Maine to have a high-speed lift, and make it the closest mountain to the largest city in Maine to have a high speed lift.
This mountain was recently acquired by Boyne Resorts, and the lift is coming used from Sunday River, where it was the old Jordan Bowl lift, but the lift has since been reworked and Boyne has a long history of re-installing used high-speed lifts. This lift may put Pleasant Mountain further up in the tier of New England skiing, and could pull some Boston skiers further north to try out this under-the-radar area.
Ski Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe Express Quad
Ski Santa Fe is adding its first high-speed lift as well, replacing its Santa Fe Super Chief lift with a high-speed quad. This new lift serves much of the lower mountain terrain, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails, and offers a massive decrease in lift ride time from ten minutes to four minutes. This upgrade makes Ski Santa Fe more competitive in the northern New Mexico ski market, which is dominated by Taos.
Colorado’s Snowmass ski area is replacing the its Coney lift with a new high-speed quad in a new alignment, which will allow access to the same terrain but from a lower starting point, plus provide a mid-station at the Lynn Britt Cabin.
Snowmass, CO
Coney Express Quad
One of the best Colorado ski areas is getting even better, as Snowmass is replacing the Coney Glade quad with a lift in a new alignment.
The new Coney Express quad retains the unload location of the Coney Glade, but moves the load terminal down to the base area. This new setup should help tremendously with morning crowds at Snowmass, which have previously had to contend with only two out-of-base lifts. This lift also has a mid-station to provide fast laps on the terrain park, as well as to allow unloading of foot traffic for the Lynn Britt cabin and the race arena.
Speaking of the Lynn Britt, this cabin is getting an expansion that will add more outdoor seating and an outdoor bar and grill.
Sun Peaks, BC
West Bowl Express Quad
The final entry in our Substantial category is British Columbia’s Sun Peaks, which is finally re-entering some temporarily abandoned terrain this upcoming season.
The new West Bowl Express lift will bring lift service back to West Bowl, which was lost after the West Bowl T-bar was removed two years ago, plus expand the resort’s skiable terrain by 169 acres. This lift will create a new pod of intermediate and advanced terrain in this near and above-treeline area, and provide a high-speed alternative to the nearby Crystal and Burfield, the latter of which is the longest chairlift in North America by time (however, there is a midstation, so rarely is the chair rode in its entirety).
Another addition to Sun Peaks is a new ski and snowboard cross course, which is built from earthworks to lessen the need for deep snow usually necessary for this type of course. This new run will provide a unique opportunity for families, as the run will be open for the public and is able to be skied by those young and old.
Tier 4: Game-Changing Investments
Finally, we get into investments that have the potential to be true game changers for their respective resorts. Both of these mountains are on track to see truly transformative projects this winter, with upgrades that will not only add new lifts and terrain, but may ultimately change the fundamental character of who these resorts attract.
Utah’s Powder Mountain will see a host of changes this season, though some aren’t exactly the most positive for most visitors.
Powder Mountain, UT
Fundamental Access, Lift, and Parking Changes
Utah’s Powder Mountain is undergoing a huge culture change, and along with that comes huge investments—both positive and negative.
First off, the lower mountain Paradise Quad is getting replaced by a high-speed quad, drastically cutting the nearly 12 minute lift ride down to around 7 minutes and making some of the most popular terrain at the resort much more pleasant to lap.
The very old Timberline triple chair is also getting replaced, this time with a fixed-grip quad, which should make this area more reliable for the years to come.
The final notable lift installation is the Lightning Ridge lift, a fixed-grip quad that accesses previously hike-to and snowcat-only terrain, giving Powder Mountain the potential to become much more desirable for advanced and expert skiers and riders. This lift also makes it finally possible to reach the Sundown area of the mountain without taking a bus or shuttle.
Additionally, terrain parks will be returning to Powder Mountain after not being present on the mountain since 2020, and will be found in the Sundown and Hidden Lake terrain pods.
Finally, Powder Mountain will have guided tours in a new terrain zone called DMI, which stands for Don’t Mention It. That terrain is allegedly up next for a lift served terrain expansion in the next few years.
Now, not all changes at Powder Mountain are good, as the mountain is also getting more exclusive.
A few of the lifts, namely Mary’s and Village, as well as another new lift, Raintree, will all be exclusive to homeowners, and will now be called “Powder Haven”. This is in an effort to drive more real-estate investment around the Powder Mountain area, and some people may see this as an affront to the low-key vibes formerly associated with Powder Mountain.
Additionally, parking on weekends and holidays will now be paid for non-passholders, which is a bit confusing given how uncrowded Powder Mountain is known for being.
Finally, the ski area will not be selling day tickets on weekends in February, which is yet another piece in how the management is trying to make Powder Mountain more exclusive.
Deer Valley is adding a new base area a three new lifts this season as a part of its multi-year “Expanded Excellence” project.
Deer Valley, UT
New Terrain Expansion, Lifts, and Base Area
The final ski area improvement we’ll go over is at Deer Valley, where one of the biggest multi-year projects is underway.
Deer Valley is adding three new lifts for this season as a part of the Expanded Excellence project, which has been called anything from Mayflower to Deer Valley East over the past few years. The parts of the project opening this year include a high speed six-pack, high-speed quad, and fixed grip quad, all in the new Deer Valley East base area, which is south of the current Jordanelle base on US-40. This base area will eventually offer an entire base village and the country’s largest “ski beach”, but for this year will have 500 parking spaces and a Grand Hyatt hotel.
The new Keetley Express lift will be Deer Valley’s first high-speed six-pack and will extend from Deer Valley East to the base of the Sultan Express. This will also serve 300 acres of intermediate terrain, though this is around the same elevation as the runs served by the Jordanelle Gondola, so conditions will likely be similar to that area.
Another lift in the area, the Hoodoo Express, will serve the beginner slope at Deer Valley East, and the final lift, the Aurora Quad, will allow skiers to get out of a drainage near the base area, as some runs end below the Deer Valley East village.
Overall, this expansion may sway some groups into choosing Deer Valley due to the improved access from Provo and Salt Lake City, though those with snowboarders in their group will still want to avoid this area due to their continued ban on boarders.
Final Thoughts
Well, that’s an exhaustive list of North America’s ski resort upgrades for the 2024-25 season. Utah is certainly seeing a few changes this year, as are New York and Western Canada, while Colorado, Lake Tahoe, and Vermont are having a bit of a down year in improvements, though no areas are truly getting stiffed in the upgrades department.
It’s also worth noting that while certain mega-corporations have notably cut back on substantial and game-changing investments versus previous years, most notably Vail Resorts, which is only adding two new lifts this year, the industry as a whole is remaining consistent with the number of upgrades versus summer 2023.
One interesting note is that only two lifts have been installed in the state of Vermont over the past two years, and no lifts have been installed in the Lake Tahoe region. We’ll be keeping an eye out to see if things heat up in these regions in future years.
What do you think about these upgrades? Any in particular you’re stoked to try out? Let us know in the comments below!
