News category
Latest in Colorado
Powderhorn's Wild West Express Takes Shape as Construction Ramps Up Ahead of 60th Season
Powderhorn Mountain Resort's long-awaited lift upgrade is no longer just a plan. Crews have finished dismantling the 54-year-old West End double, and work has begun on the high-speed quad set to replace it - a refurbished ex-Elk Camp lift from Aspen Snowmass getting a full rebuild from Leitner-Poma. The new Wild West Express will cut the old lift's notorious 13-minute crawl to just six minutes, arriving for Powderhorn's 60th anniversary season in 2026-27. Here's where construction stands.
Colorado Approves $300 Million Plan to Improve I-70 Access to Ski Resorts
Colorado has approved a 10-year, $300 million transportation plan that could make the drive to Vail, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain significantly safer - and eventually faster. The plan targets two critical sections of the I-70 Mountain Corridor, with $77 million earmarked for West Vail Pass alone. Combined with the ongoing Floyd Hill project, it's the most ambitious overhaul of one of North America's busiest ski corridors in recent memory. Here's what's changing and when.
Arapahoe Basin Closes Out 2025-26 Season After 204 Days on Snow
Arapahoe Basin has closed for the 2025-26 season after 204 days - wrapping up on May 17 following three extensions driven by late-season storms in April and May. It's the resort's earliest closing date in over a decade, but given how tough the season was across Colorado and the West, 204 days is worth acknowledging. The season opened October 26 and ran well beyond its original May 3 closing date.
Colorado Snow Forecast: Eldora Leading the Way With 20 Inches as Late-May Storm Hits
Most of Colorado's ski resorts have already closed for the season, but a late-May cold snap is about to dump serious snow on those still running. Eldora is the standout with 20 inches forecast, while Winter Park, Arapahoe Basin and Loveland are also in line for meaningful totals. A solid end-of-season bonus for anyone still on snow.
Arapahoe Basin Closes May 3 After 194-Day Season in Difficult Snow Year
A-Basin wraps up a 194-day season on 3 May, maintaining its position as Colorado's longest-running resort despite historically thin snowpack. The resort has announced $39 lift tickets for the final weekend along with live music and end-of-season events.
Breckenridge Reopens Peak 8 for One-Day Peaks and Beats Event
Breckenridge is spinning lifts for one more day after its official closing date. Peak 8 reopens on 25 April for the resort's Peaks and Beats event, complete with limited terrain, live music, and the sort of spring skiing attire that says 'we know this is ridiculous.'
Vail Resorts Reports 25% Drop in Rocky Mountain Skier Visits
Vail Resorts has disclosed a 25% decline in skier visits across its Rocky Mountain properties through April 2026, attributing the drop to historically poor snow conditions. The company's North American portfolio saw visits fall 15% overall, with several resorts closing weeks ahead of schedule.
Breckenridge Marks 40 Years Since Opening Doors to Snowboarding
Breckenridge hosted the 'New Worlds' competition this past weekend, commemorating four decades since becoming the first major Colorado resort to permit snowboarding. The event drew nearly 100 competitors, including veterans from the 1986 World Championships, with bonus points awarded for vintage boards and authentic 1980s attire.
Copper Mountain Extends 2025-26 Season to May 3 With $49 Lift Tickets
Copper Mountain in Colorado has pushed its closing date back a week to Sunday, May 3, with $49 lift tickets available for the final stretch. Early snowmaking, a high base elevation, and north-facing terrain have kept conditions skiable well into spring.
How the West Lost Its Winter: The 2025-26 US Snow Drought Explained
The 2025-26 ski season across the western United States wasn't just a bad year - it was the worst on record. A massive marine heat wave, a stubborn high-pressure ridge, and relentless warmth combined to destroy snowpack across eight states, force at least 69 ski resorts to close early, and wipe roughly $100 million from Vail Resorts' bottom line. Here's what happened, why it happened, and what it means for skiing's future.
Vail Mountain Names Shaydar Edelmann as New COO After Beth Howard's 41-Year Career
Vail Mountain has announced a leadership change at the top, with Beth Howard retiring after 41 years and Shaydar Edelmann stepping in as the new Chief Operating Officer. Howard's career shaped much of what Vail Resorts looks like today - from signature dining to major lift upgrades. Edelmann arrives with 25 years in the snow sports industry, most recently running Heavenly Mountain Resort, and a CV that stretches across California and back to New Zealand.
Colorado Ski Resorts Close Early as Poor Season Takes Its Toll
A below-average snowpack and abnormally high temperatures have forced Colorado ski resorts to shut early this season. Twelve resorts have already closed, with several more pulling the pin weeks ahead of their usual closing dates.
Aspen Highlands Triggers Major Spring Avalanche in Highland Bowl
Ski patrol triggered a sizeable wet loose avalanche in Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands in late April, with the slide captured on camera from Aspen Mountain's Sundeck Restaurant. The controlled avalanche suggests Highland Bowl won't reopen this season.
Copper Mountain Season Passes for 2026/27 Now on Sale from $699
Copper Mountain has opened sales for 2026/27 season passes, with adult passes starting at $699 and expanded Kids Ski Free now covering children up to 17. The resort is hosting men's World Cup racing in November, but the real story is whether the pricing represents genuine value or just earlier sales windows.
Monarch Mountain Cuts Season Short as Colorado Snowpack Crisis Forces Early Closures
Monarch Mountain will close this Sunday after a historically poor snow season, joining a growing list of Colorado resorts shutting down weeks ahead of schedule. The ski area had originally planned to operate through mid-April.
Aspen Highlands Files 10-Year Plan With New Gondola and Lift Upgrades to Tackle Congestion
Aspen Highlands has submitted its 2025 Master Development Plan to the Forest Service, outlining a decade of proposed upgrades including a two-stage gondola, a new mid-mountain chairlift, and dining expansions. Nothing is approved yet, but the vision is worth knowing about.
Western U.S. Ski Resorts Close Early as Warm Weather Compounds Poor Snow Season
A heat wave hitting the western United States has forced dozens of ski resorts to close early or abandon their seasons entirely. With below-average snowpacks across the region, the warm spell has ended operations at over 40 resorts from Arizona to Montana.
Vail Resorts CEO Purchases $5 Million in Company Stock as Share Price Continues Multi-Year Decline
Rob Katz has purchased roughly $5 million in Vail Resorts stock as the company's share price sits at around a third of its 2021 peak. The purchase follows criticism of board members failing to buy stock and comes as the company battles reputation issues that may prove harder to fix than financial metrics.
Vail Resorts Drops My Epic Gear Membership Fee, Makes Premium Rentals Standard
Vail Resorts is scrapping the $50 My Epic Gear membership fee and rolling premium rental features into standard offerings. Starting next season, anyone booking Demo rentals at 12 resorts can select specific gear models online, access BOA ski boots and Step On bindings at no extra cost.
Steamboat Resort Introduces Paid Parking and Carpool Incentives for 2026-27
Steamboat is overhauling its parking system next winter, introducing $15 charges for solo drivers on peak days while keeping parking free for carpoolers with three or more people. The changes mark a significant shift for Colorado's second-largest resort.
Vail Resorts Introduces 20% Discount on Epic Pass for Under-30s
Vail Resorts has announced a 20% price reduction on Epic Pass products for skiers and riders aged 13-30, bringing the 2026-27 Epic Pass down to $869 and Epic Local Pass to $649. The move comes as the ski industry grapples with participation rates among younger demographics.
Aspen Occupancy Down 5.5% as International Boycotts and Weak Snowfall Hit Bookings
Aspen's winter season is tracking 5.5% behind last year through January, with Australian tour operators reporting boycotts related to US politics and a 30% drop in American bookings. Hotels are maintaining revenue by raising rates, but the combination of political sentiment, unfavourable exchange rates, and Colorado's poor early-season snowfall has dampened what's typically the resort's strongest period for international visitors.
Nederland Approves $120 Million Eldora Purchase in Rare Municipal Ski Resort Acquisition
The Town of Nederland has approved purchasing Eldora Mountain Resort for $120 million from POWDR, joining a small handful of U.S. municipalities operating ski areas. The deal raises questions about municipal risk exposure and whether revenue bonds backed solely by lift ticket sales can sustain a ski resort in an era of climate uncertainty.
Telluride Ski Resort Strikes: Colorado Resort Closed Indefinitely Over Patrol Wages
Telluride Ski Resort remains closed with no reopening date set as ski patrol union members strike for better wages. The Colorado resort shut its doors after patrollers rejected a 23% pay increase offer, holding out for 30-35% rises. All mountain access is closed day and night as the labour dispute continues.
Early Season North America: Which Ski Resorts Are Open Right Now?
The 2025-26 North American ski season is underway with resorts across Colorado, Alberta, and Vermont opening their lifts. From Keystone's surprise first-to-open move to Sunshine Village's impressive 38 runs already available, here's exactly what terrain you can access right now and which resorts are offering the best early season conditions.
10 Best Ski Resorts in Colorado Ranked for the 2025-26 Season
Colorado stands as the undisputed capital of American skiing, combining reliable snowfall, varied terrain, and the legendary Rocky Mountain powder. With over 300 days of sunshine annually and some of the most accessible high-elevation skiing in North America, it's no wonder why Colorado draws skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.
Ikon Pass App Consolidation Forces Resort-Specific App Users to Switch
Alterra Mountain Company has consolidated 14 resort-specific apps into its upgraded Ikon Pass platform, requiring users at resorts like Winter Park and Palisades Tahoe to migrate ahead of the 2025-26 season. The move prioritises pass-holder convenience over individual resort identity.
Aspen's Chalet Alpina: Another Ultra-Luxury Development in a Saturated Market
Construction of Chalet Alpina, a new luxury hotel and residential complex, is underway at Aspen Snowmass. While promising high-end amenities and ski-in/ski-out access, it raises questions about affordability and the future direction of this already exclusive ski town.
FIS Alpine World Cup 2025-26: Men's Calendar Rebalanced After Speed Skier Complaints
The FIS has adjusted the 2025-26 men's Alpine World Cup calendar, adding more downhill events after speed specialists voiced concerns. The revised schedule aims to create a more equitable playing field for the Overall Season Trophy.
Vail Resorts Hit with $12.4M Verdict in Crested Butte Chairlift Accident
A Colorado jury's $12.4 million award to a paralysed skier challenges longstanding liability protections for ski resorts, potentially reshaping risk management across the industry.
Purgatory's New Chairlift Plans Hit Bureaucratic Snag
Purgatory Resort's ambitious plan for a new front-side chairlift faces significant delays due to unexpected permitting hurdles, casting doubt on its availability for the upcoming ski season.
Vail Resorts Unveils 2025-26 Season Plans: New Lifts, Tech, and Pricing Strategies
Vail Resorts has announced opening dates and key developments for the 2025-26 ski season across its global portfolio. Notable changes include new lifts in Park City and Switzerland, expanded tech integration, and a revised friend ticket program aimed at boosting visitation.
Silver Queen Express Chairlift at Crested Butte Receives Motor Upgrade
Crested Butte Mountain Resort has completed a major maintenance project on its Silver Queen Express Chairlift, with the refurbished motor now reinstalled after expert reconditioning in Denver.
Colorado Ski Resorts Achieve 13.8 Million Skier Visits in 2024-25 Season
Colorado Ski Country USA reports 13.8 million skier visits for the 2024-25 season, marking the third-highest total on record. The season saw varied conditions, from early snowfall to a snowy spring, with resorts adapting to provide quality experiences for visitors.
Monarch Mountain's 377-Acre Terrain Expansion for 2025-26 Season
Monarch Mountain in Colorado is set to unveil a major terrain expansion for the 2025-26 ski season, adding 377 acres of new trails and a triple chairlift in the No Name Basin area.
Vail Resorts' Former CEO Kirsten Lynch Receives $2.2 Million Severance Package
Kirsten Lynch, former CEO of Vail Resorts, is set to receive a substantial severance package following her departure from the company. The package includes cash payments, equity awards, and health insurance benefits.
Rob Katz Returns as Vail Resorts CEO After Kirsten Lynch's Departure
Vail Resorts announces a significant leadership change as Rob Katz returns to the CEO position, replacing Kirsten Lynch who has stepped down after 14 years with the company.
Ski Cooper's Expansion Plans: Balancing Growth and Character
Ski Cooper, a small but growing Colorado ski resort, has unveiled its 2025 Master Development Plan. The plan outlines a phased approach to expand terrain, increase lift capacity, and improve facilities while maintaining its affordable, laid-back atmosphere.
Arapahoe Basin Announces Potential Extended Ski Season
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado's last open ski resort for the 2024/25 season, has provided an update on their closing date and potential for extended operations.
Winter Park Express Ski Train Ridership Soars in 2025
The Winter Park Express ski train experienced a significant increase in ridership during the 2025 season, with passenger numbers up 153% compared to the previous year. This surge follows expanded service and reduced fares, demonstrating the growing popularity of rail travel to ski resorts.
Arapahoe Basin Updates Parking System for 2025-26 Season
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado is modifying its parking reservation system for the upcoming 2025-26 season, aligning with changes to Ikon Pass access. The new system aims to manage traffic and maintain the resort's unique atmosphere.
Tragic Chairlift Incident at Keystone Sparks Safety Concerns
A snowboarder's fatal fall from a Keystone Resort chairlift has reignited discussions about lift safety protocols and the use of restraint bars at ski resorts across the United States.
Colorado Avalanche Advisory: Transitional Spring Conditions Create Risks
The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has issued a statewide advisory as the region transitions from winter to spring conditions, presenting varied avalanche risks for backcountry users.
Colorado Ski Slope Fatalities Decrease in 2024-25 Season
The 2024-25 ski season in Colorado saw 13 fatalities across its 27 ski areas, a slight reduction from previous years. This article examines the statistics and safety measures in place.
Telluride Ski Resort Plans Major Lift Upgrades and Facility Improvements
Telluride Ski Resort has proposed replacing two aging chairlifts and expanding its on-mountain facilities, including potential upgrades to Lift 7 and Lift 8, trail improvements, and expansion of the High Camp Hut.
Loveland Ski Area Upgrades Lift 7 for 2025-26 Season
Loveland Ski Area announces plans to replace the 42-year-old Lift 7 with a modern fixed-grip quad, enhancing the learning experience in Loveland Valley.
Vail Resorts Reports Mixed Results for 2024-25 Ski Season
Vail Resorts has reported a decrease in skier visits but an increase in revenue for the 2024-25 winter season, highlighting the strength of their season pass program amidst changing visitation patterns.
Mountain Capital Partners Invests $15M+ in Ski Resort Upgrades
Mountain Capital Partners announces over $15 million in improvements across its ski resorts following a record-breaking 2024/2025 season, with upgrades planned for Purgatory, Arizona Snowbowl, Brian Head, and other properties.
Five American Athletes Qualify for 2026 Freeride World Tour at Arapahoe Basin
The final Challenger Series event at Arapahoe Basin in Colorado saw five U.S. athletes secure their spots on the 2026 Freeride World Tour, marking a significant milestone in their careers.
Aspen Snowmass Invests $80 Million in Resort Upgrades
Aspen Snowmass announces major improvements for the 2025-26 season, including new lifts at Snowmass, lodge renovations, and resort-wide enhancements to elevate the skiing experience.
Epic Pass 2025/26: A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Skiers and Riders
Explore the various Epic Pass options for the 2025/26 season, including new resort access, pricing, and benefits for skiers and snowboarders looking to maximise their mountain time across multiple destinations.
Winter Park's $37 Million Snowmaking Upgrade Extends Ski Season
Winter Park Resort has invested $37 million in snowmaking upgrades, enabling earlier openings and later closings. The investment aims to extend the ski season, with the resort now boasting one of the longest seasons in Colorado.
Vail Mountain Announces Terrain Closures as Season Winds Down
Vail Mountain has closed China Bowl and Teacup Bowl as it approaches the final week of the ski season. Sun Up and Sun Down Bowls remain open, with further closures possible based on daily conditions.
Sunlight Mountain Resort Upgrades Historic Chairlifts for 2025/26 Season
Sunlight Mountain Resort announces major infrastructure upgrades, replacing the Primo and Segundo chairlifts. This marks the largest investment in the resort's history, set to enhance the skiing experience from the 2025/26 season.
Colorado Ski Resorts Report Strong Snowpack as Season Winds Down
Summit County ski resorts maintain impressive base depths despite the approaching end of the 2024-25 season. Copper Mountain leads local snowfall totals, while Winter Park tops the state.
Purgatory Resort Expands with New Lift and Trails for 2025-26
Purgatory Resort in Colorado is set to enhance its skiing experience with a new triple chairlift and additional trails, expanding frontside terrain and improving mountain access for the 2025-26 season.
2024-2025 Ski Season Chairlift Incidents Review
The 2024-2025 ski season saw an unusual concentration of chairlift malfunctions across global ski resorts, raising important questions about infrastructure maintenance and safety protocols. From mechanical failures to weather-related accidents, these incidents highlight the critical importance of ongoing vigilance at ski resorts worldwide.
Arapahoe Basin Announces Unlimited Ikon Pass Access for 2025/26 Season
Arapahoe Basin will offer unlimited access to Ikon Pass holders for the 2025/26 ski season while maintaining its successful parking reservation system, according to COO Alan Henceroth, who calls the upcoming Ikon Pass "the greatest season pass ever made."
Copper Mountain Expansion: Colorado's New Second-Largest Ski Resort
Copper Mountain has received approval for a bold expansion plan that will increase its skiable terrain by 14% and add North America's highest chairlift. The expansion will make it Colorado's second-largest ski resort behind Vail, enhancing the experience for skiers and riders with improved lift access and more high-alpine terrain.
Powderhorn Ski Resort Announces New Ownership and Development Plans
Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. (PGRI) has become the majority owner of Powderhorn Mountain Resort near Grand Junction, Colorado. The transition promises significant developments including expanded snowmaking, a new high-speed quad chairlift, and an innovative Tiny Home village project.
Winter Park Resort Gondola Rescue: Hundreds of Skiers and Riders Safely Evacuated
In a remarkable display of emergency response, Winter Park Resort successfully evacuated 174 skiers and riders after a critical gondola malfunction. The five-hour rescue operation, triggered by a cracked structural component, showcased the ski patrol's extensive training and preparation for such rare events.
Wolf Creek Ski Area Opens Early for 2024-25 Season
Wolf Creek Ski Area in Colorado is set to open on Tuesday, October 22, marking an early start to its 85th season. With multiple lifts operating and access to roughly 30% of the mountain, Wolf Creek offers skiers and riders a substantial early-season experience. The resort is celebrating its anniversary with special events and Local Appreciation rates for lift tickets.
Lift Mechanic’s At Crested Butte Vote To Unionise
In a significant development, lift mechanics at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, a Vail property, have voted 7 to 3 in favour of unionising. This decision makes them the second group of ski resort lift mechanics in the United States to form a union, following in the footsteps of Park City Mountain Resort.
Latest News
More from the SnowStash desk
Spain Moves to Ban Smoking at Ski Resorts Under New Tobacco Law
Spain's government has approved a draft tobacco law that would ban smoking across a wide range of outdoor spaces, including sports venues - a category Spanish winter sports media expect to cover ski resorts, potentially extending to slopes and lifts themselves. The rules would also apply to e-cigarettes and vaping devices, even nicotine-free ones. The bill still has to clear the Spanish parliament before any ban, signage, or fines can take effect.
South Tyrol Approves New 16-Person Ciampinoi Gondola in Val Gardena
South Tyrol has approved a full rebuild of the Ciampinoi cable car in Selva di Val Gardena, replacing the current 12-person gondola with a 16-person cabin and a new mountain-station restaurant. Capacity is capped at 3,200 people an hour rather than the 3,600 the operator wanted, and 250,000 euros must go toward compensatory measures. No construction or opening date has been set, though the upgrade is partly aimed at clearing bottlenecks before the 2031 Alpine Ski World Championships.
Resort Spotlight: Hoshino Tomamu - Corporate Japan's Mountain Playground Revisited
Hoshino Tomamu is the ski resort equivalent of a conference hotel that happens to have excellent powder. Built for corporate retreats and package tourists, it offers genuine Hokkaido snow on surprisingly limited terrain - 29 runs spread across 585 vertical metres.
La Thuile's New Cable Car Replaces Two Ageing Chairlifts
La Thuile is spending 38.7 million US dollars on a new 10-person cable car linking Les Suches to Chaz Dura, replacing the La Combe and Chaz Dura chairlifts after nearly forty years of service. Built by Leitner, the new cable car runs 1,950 metres to a top station at 2,576 metres, carrying up to 3,000 people an hour with a six-minute ride. It also improves the connection to La Rosiere in France via the Petit-Saint-Bernard Pass, and is on track to open for the 2026/27 season.
The Remarkables Adds Scarpa Bowl to Its Inbounds Terrain
The Remarkables is adding new inbounds terrain for winter, bringing the Scarpa Bowl - known locally as the Toilet Bowl - into its lift-accessed network after years as backcountry-only ground. The roughly 500 metre run is reached by bootpacking from the top of the Sugar Bowl chairlift, with a shuttle picking skiers up from the road at the bottom. It's a smaller, faster addition than the resort's planned Doolans expansion, though the new terrain hasn't opened yet due to a lack of snow this season.
Ski Portillo Cut Off After Storm Dumps More Than 4.5 Metres of Snow
Ski Portillo remains isolated after an extended storm buried the Chilean resort under more than 4.5 metres of snow, with both ground and air access suspended since Tuesday while crews monitor avalanche hazards and worsening weather. Resort officials say further snowfall is expected in the coming days and haven't set a timeline for reopening the mountain road. Once access resumes, the scale of the snowpack could set up a strong season at one of the Southern Hemisphere's most historic ski resorts.
Resort Spotlight: Lotte Arai - Japan's Corporate Ski Anomaly With 22 Metres of Annual Snowfall
Lotte Arai receives 22 metres of annual snowfall - exceptional even by Japanese standards - but its corporate ownership model and limited terrain create an unusual cost-benefit equation. Here's what the numbers actually mean on the ground.
Resort Spotlight: Banff Sunshine Village - Nine Metres of Snow and a Season That Runs Until May
Banff Sunshine Village sits at 1,660m base and receives 9.27m of snow annually. Inside Banff National Park, it offers a six-month season and terrain split that skews heavily advanced - though the crowds and lift infrastructure tell their own story.