Two of Colorado’s oldest chairlifts will be replaced simultaneously in 2025, Sunlight Mountain Resort has announced. Primo, a 1966 Riblet double, will be replaced by a Leitner-Poma Alpha fixed grip quad. Segundo, a 1954 Heron with Riblet upgrades, will be replaced by a 2001 Leitner-Poma triple from Arapahoe Basin. The project will be the largest capital undertaking in the history of Sunlight.
“The replacement of Primo and Segundo signifies a new era for our resort,” Sunlight said in a release. “We are excited about the increased capacity and efficiency these new lifts will bring, while also honoring the legacy of Segundo, a beloved fixture of our mountain for over 50 years. Our goal is to offer an incredible and personalized experience, ensuring that while our infrastructure evolves, the essence of Sunlight remains unchanged.” Construction is set to begin this summer with the bulk of work taking place in summer 2025. Existing lifts will continue to operate for the 2024-25 winter season and both new lifts will be completed for 2025-26.
Bluewood Mountain Resort will build its first high speed lift in 2025, replacing the aging Skyline Express. The outgoing Borvig triple has served as Bluewood’s primary lift since 1978. “We couldn’t be more excited about the purchase of a high-speed quad for Bluewood,” Said Buck Lewis, Vice President and spokesperson for Bluewood’s ownership group. “This new chair will greatly decrease seat time and increase ride time on the hill, providing a much more enjoyable day on the mountain. This is a fantastic milestone for our resort and community.” As part of the project, Bluewood also intends to install a snowmaking system at the base of the mountain to improve early season coverage.
Bluewood says it’s under contract for the new lift though a manufacturer was not specified. A rendering suggests the lift may be a pre-owned 1990s Doppelmayr model out of Europe. A number of mid-sized resorts including Mission Ridge, Washington; Castle Mountain, Alberta and Pleasant Mountain, Maine have recently opted to install used detachable quads due to the rising costs of new equipment. Bluewood expects to break ground next April and become Washington State’s seventh ski area with a detachable for the 2025-26 ski season.
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