Silver Queen Express Chairlift at Crested Butte Receives Motor Upgrade

Crested Butte Upgrades Silver Queen Chairlift Motor

Crested Butte Mountain Resort has completed a significant upgrade to its Silver Queen Express Chairlift. The resort recently reinstalled the chairlift's refurbished motor, weighing nearly 15,000 pounds, after it underwent expert reconditioning in Denver. This maintenance project marks a crucial step in ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of one of the resort's key lifts.

The Silver Queen Express, originally installed in 1992, has been a central feature for skiers and snowboarders at Crested Butte for over three decades. Recognising the lift's importance, Vail Resorts, which operates Crested Butte, decided to undertake a complete overhaul of the motor's specialised components. This extensive maintenance work aims to extend the lift's lifespan and maintain its reliability for years to come.

Steve Duke, Director of Mountain Operations at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, emphasised the significance of the project: "Reconditioning the Silver Queen motor is a major undertaking for our mountain operations teams. We're focused on ensuring Silver Queen is ready to transport guests to our iconic peak hike this summer."

While the project has experienced some delays, pushing back the initial mid-June completion target, the resort's team is making steady progress. The lift maintenance and mountain operations crews are now applying the finishing touches to prepare the chairlift for summer operations.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort, located in Colorado, is known for its challenging terrain and stunning alpine scenery. The Silver Queen Express serves as a crucial link, transporting skiers and riders to the upper mountain during winter and facilitating access to scenic hiking trails in summer. This motor upgrade demonstrates the resort's commitment to maintaining its infrastructure and ensuring a high-quality experience for visitors year-round.