Projects & Plans

Cypress Mountain Eyes Fleet Renewal

Peter Landsman6 Comments

All but one of Cypress Mountain’s six chairlifts would be replaced under a proposed Development Plan released yesterday and up for public consultation. As the largest of Metro Vancouver’s three ski areas, Cypress operates a fleet of five quads and one double, several of which are approaching the end of their useful life. Whistler-based Brent Harley and Associates (BHA) prepared the 60 year plan, which seeks to improve Cypress within its existing footprint rather than expanding. Approval of the vision and individual projects will rest with BC Parks as the ski area occupies Cypress Provincial Park.

Michigan-based Boyne Resorts took over Cypress in 2001 and immediately installed two Doppelmayr quad chairs now approaching 30 years old. Easy Rider, British Columbia’s third shortest chairlift, would be removed for two conveyors as part of a purpose-built learning expansion. Together with a new ski school building, learning forms the “centrepiece” of BHA’s plan. Vancouver is expected to add 700,000 residents by 2045, the majority of which will be immigrants or children of immigrants who don’t ski. Carpets are now considered easier for new skiers to learn than chairlifts. New conveyors would be positioned to break up existing terrain into shorter lengths of consistent grade. Once removed, the former beginner quad may be relocated and lengthened to replace Midway, the oldest lift at Cypress. The new quad would be called Lower Bowen, running closer to Lions Express and unloading lower on Mt. Strachan.

The second of Boyne’s original installs is Eagle Express. The development plan envisions a six pack replacing the detachable quad, transporting 2,800 skiers per hour (up from 2,200.) Eagle would also serve the Gravity Logic-designed Cypress Bike Park, set to open next summer. One thing a new Eagle won’t carry is mountain coaster carts. The current Eagle pipe coaster is expected to be removed and a new coaster with integrated uplift built near Easy Rider.

Further down the line Cypress envisions installing the Lower Mainland’s first eight place chairlift, joining fellow Boyne Resorts Big Sky, Boyne Mountain, Loon Mountain and Sunday River in the eight place club. Lions 8 would carryt 3,200 skiers per hour, 33 percent more than the current lift constructed for the 2010 Olympics. Finally Cypress plans to replace the Raven Ridge quad, a 1997 Poma fixed-grip with relatively long ride time. A detachable quad would reduce sit time and boost throughput from 2,000 skiers per hour to 2,200. This project could utilize equipment from one of Cypress’ existing detachable quads or one from elsewhere in the Boyne network.

“Together these lift improvements will modernize the lift network, increase beginner ski terrain, and improve circulation and the lift experience across the mountain,” BHA noted. “These changes modestly increase the Alpine Comfortable Carrying Capacity (CCC) from 4,713 to 4,866 skiers per day, while bringing the terrain offering into closer alignment with the skier marketplace.” In addition to lifts, Cypress envisions expanding snowmaking and adding year-round attractions such as a via ferrata, alpine viewing platforms and an aerial adventure park. Parking and facility expansions are also planned.

Cypress will host open houses on September 25th and 26th for the public to learn more. Folks can also share feedback with BC Parks online through November 16th.

Holiday Valley to Replace Cindy’s Quad

Peter Landsman2 Comments

A fifth detachable chairlift will debut at Holiday Valley next year, the resort announced yesterday. Preliminary work has already begun on the Doppelmayr high-speed quad, set to run in a new alignment along the Foxfire trail. A 1991 CTEC quad named Cindy’s will be removed, leaving the Cindy’s trail free of chairlift towers for the first time since 1978.

Holiday Valley’s on mountain team is already working to remove trees and widen Foxfire in preparation for lift installation. The new lift is expected to debut for the resort’s 70th anniversary season in 2027-28.

Tremblant to Complete Timber Expansion in 2027

Peter Landsman4 Comments

Alterra-owned Tremblant today announced a CA$42.5 million investment catering to a broad range of skiers. Expanding the Soleil side of the mountain, Timber will open in two phases – a beginner pod with conveyor for winter 2026-27 followed by eight new trails and a detachable quad for 2027-28. “Timber Summit represents much more than an expansion of our ski terrain,” said Patrice Malo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Station Mont Tremblant. “It reflects our commitment to continually elevating the Tremblant experience and creating new opportunities for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, today’s families, and generations to come.”

Tremblant first announced this project March 10th, 2020, just five days before the entire North American ski industry shut down for Covid. After a six year pause, work began anew last month with tree clearing on the summit. The beginner portion of the expansion will include a 1.1 acre slope ideal for learning and a covered surface lift. “The gentle terrain and dedicated infrastructure will be designed to support progression from guests’ very first turns through the early stages of their skiing journey,” noted Tremblant. On weekends and peak periods, guests will access the zone from the village via the existing Casino Express Gondola.

Higher up on the mountain, crews are working to clear one new trail on the North side of Timber and seven trails on the Soleil side. These will total 62 acres and include 100 percent snowmaking coverage. The Timber Express high speed quad will ascend 1,388 vertical feet and transport 2,400 skiers per hour from the Soleil base, where a new Club Med is also under development. The new lift will become a modern alternative to the aging Soleil Express and span more than a mile (5,900 feet) with 125 chairs. A manufacturer hasn’t yet been selected.

Tremblant’s news comes during a busy period of expansion for Canadian ski areas. At least 16 resorts plan to build new lifts in 2026 and 2027 across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Pulse Gondola to Open at Circuit of the Americas

Peter Landsman2 Comments

Leitner-Poma will construct a unique gondola at Circuit of the Americas near Austin this year, serving an exclusive motorsports club. It will be the third modern gondola in Texas following installations at the State Fair of Texas in 2007 and the Franklin Mountains in 2013. The lift will exclusively carry members of The Circuit, a year-round membership club featuring track access, rooftop pools and dining. The gondola’s Alpha drive station will occupy a portion of the clubhouse’s second floor. From the drive, riders will descend over four towers and Turn 1 of the track, unloading on the second floor of the pit building. Sigma will supply Diamond cabins with capacity for six passengers, which will run in four pulses of two.

Gondolas and chairlifts are increasingly popping up at non-ski point of interest throughout the United States. Over the past two years, non-ski lifts opened in Arkansas, Colorado, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia serving everything from zoos to bike parks. Texas will join that list when The Circuit opens in 2027.

Loon Mountain Plans Gondola Replacement

Peter Landsman23 Comments

One of the smallest-gauge gondolas in North American skiing could soon be headed for retirement. The Forest Service today posted Loon Mountain Resort’s application to replace the four passenger White Mountain Express Gondola with a 10 seat D-Line model from Doppelmayr. The new flagship would follow roughtly the same alignment and be constructed in 2027 or 2028. “The current gondola is one of the oldest detachable lifts in New England and nearing the end of its life cycle,” Loon wrote in its application to the White Mountain National Forest. “Visitation at Loon has increased significantly since 1988 when the current gondola was installed. Increasing the uphill capacity of the existing lift from 1,000 people per hour to approximately 1,800 to 2,400 people per hour would better serve guests.” Ten passenger cabins aren’t required to achieve such capacity but they’ve become the gold standard globally for gondolas. With ample space, families can ride together, lessons don’t need to split up and wheelchairs or mountain bikes are easily accommodated. Loon’s parent company, Boyne Resorts, recently partnered with Doppelmayr to install a similar 10 place gondola at Big Sky Resort. Like at Big Sky, I expect the new Loon gondola will feature Omega V cabins, heated seats and a direct drive.

The bottom terminal will move uphill and out of the Octagon Lodge while the top terminal will sit near the current one. Carrier parking will be included at one or both stations. The 7,000 foot long lift line will need to be widened from 35 feet to 65 feet, resulting in up to five acres of disturbance. At last week’s National Ski Areas Association convention, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment Michael Boren told the industry the Forest Service plans to work expeditiously moving projects through environmental reviews. The Forest Service expects to analyze Loon’s project via a Categorical Exclusion, the lowest of three levels under the National Environmental Policy Act. A smaller pulse gondola project is also currently under review by the Town of Lincoln, which would connect Loon’s South Peak base with RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain. It’s possible Doppelmayr could construct both lifts at the same time.

When Loon’s existing gondola is retired, Telluride and Deer Valley will operate the only remaining four place gondolas in North American skiing.

RCR Announces New Lifts for Fernie, Kicking Horse and Kimberley

Peter Landsman43 Comments

Resorts of the Canadian Rockies today unveiled a landmark order for four Leitner-Poma and Skytrac quad chairlifts set to debut at three British Columbia mountains over the next two years. The news follows RCR’s similar deal with Doppelmayr for three detachable lifts at Mont-Sainte-Anne in March. The total commitment for seven new lifts is remarkable considering the company last built a lift in Western Canada in 2011 and Eastern Canada in 2017. Over the next three years, RCR will add a 10 place gondola, two six packs, three detachable quads and one fixed grip quad across four of its six mountains. From the Leitner-Poma/Skytrac order, two lifts will go to Fernie Alpine Resort, one to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and one to Kimberley Alpine Resort. “This is a major investment in our BC resorts and shows our company’s commitment to providing excellent experiences for our guests and our resort communities,” said John Shea, President & Chief Resort Officer at RCR.

First up, Leitner-Poma and subsidiary Skytrac will head to Kimberley, replacing the Tamarack double with a fixed grip quad. The current chair is the oldest in RCR’s nationwide fleet, dating back to 1972. Tamarack was originally installed at Lake Louise before moving to Kimberley in 1998. The Tamarack Quad will follow the existing alignment and is expected to debut in December 2026. It will become just the second Skytrac in Western Canada following Whistler Blackcomb’s order for a Monarch quad earlier this year.

The following season, Leitner-Poma will construct two detachable quads at Fernie. The first will replace the 1989 Elk Quad, an out-of-base workhorse that spins both summer and winter. Elk Express will reduce ride time by nearly 50 percent and better accommodate downhill mountain bikers. Equally exciting is the installation of Cedar Bowl Express, a brand new lift from the bottom of Cedar Bowl to the summit of Great Bear Express. This lift will effectively replace the Haul Back T-Bar and eliminate a three lift ride from Cedar Bowl to Bear. Both of Fernie’s new detach quads are slated to debut in late 2027.

Finally comes huge news for Kicking Horse, which has suffered from lack of redundancy and lift downtime in recent seasons. A new Pioneer Express quad will more than double out-of-base capacity and travel to Stairway to Heaven, providing a sorely-needed alternate to the Golden Eagle Express Gondola. As part of this project, a 1986 Riblet also called Pioneer will retire. Pioneer Express will follow a completely new alignment to Crystal Bowl, rising some 2,600 vertical feet over 8,200 feet of slope length. This beast of a machine is expected to open for the 2027-28 ski season.

Resorts of the Canadian Rockies also announced major new real estate projects at Fernie and Kicking Horse. “Undertaking these new projects is a significant investment into our resorts and allows us to modernize our infrastructure and to significantly improve the experience for our guests, focusing on performance, comfort and innovation,” said Matt Mosteller, Senior Vice President of Resort Experience.

Skytrac to Build New Chickadee at Snowbird

Peter Landsman20 Comments

This weekend is your last chance to ride Snowbird’s oldest chairlift, Chickadee. On Monday, Snowbird will begin work to replace the 1972 Thiokol double with a quad in partnership with Skytrac. The new lift will come out from underneath the Snowbird Center deck, giving beginners more space to queue and load. Riders will also enjoy a loading conveyor, making boarding even easier. “The new and fully grown-up version of the Chickadee chair will continue to create the next generation of powder chasers, future Olympians and local legends, just with a bit more room to squeeze in your whole fam,” said Snowbird.

Interestingly this will be the first lift in Snowbird’s 55 year history not constructed by Doppelmayr or a brand it acquired. Snowbird and Skytrac plan to fast-track construction and christen the new Chickadee for summer operations some time in July.

Lee Canyon to Expand Westward

Peter Landsman3 Comments

A fifth chairlift will debut at Nevada’s Lee Canyon next winter servicing five new trails in an area known as West Bowl. The 2,200 foot Skytrac quad will rise 650 vertical feet and transport up to 1,800 skiers per hour. It is shown on the below master plan as Chair 8. Lee Canyon completed a similar expansion to the East three years ago with three new runs. West Bowl trails will range from low intermediate to advanced with snowmaking throughout. West Bowl is expected to open for the 2026/27 winter season.

The expansion caps a period of remarkable growth at Las Vegas’ only ski area with new chairlifts in 2012, 2014 and 2023 plus a new lodge in 2019.

Lee Canyon owner Mountain Capital Partners will also partner with Skytrac this summer on an expansion at Purgatory, Colorado. Skytrac plans a busy year overall with projects in Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, Utah, Wisconsin, British Columbia and Quebec.

Doppelmayr to Build Three New Detachables at Mont-Sainte-Anne

Peter Landsman21 Comments

Mont-Sainte-Anne today announced a groundbreaking order for three Doppelmayr lifts to revitalize the mountain’s aging infrastructure over the next three years. The order, signed on March 26th and among Doppelmayr Canada’s largest ever, encompasses two six place chairlifts and a 10 place gondola. The project will be funded in part with a CA$50 million loan from Investissement Québec, a government economic development agency. Mont-Sainte-Anne’s owner, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, will fund an equal portion.

A new Express du Sud will debut first in February 2027. The bubble six pack will follow a completely new alignment, replacing both the current Express du Sud detachable and La Tortue fixed grip, both of which date back to 1986. Whistler-based Ecosign sited this lift so skiers can access North, South and East slopes from a single unload point just below the summit. Express du Sud’s 97 bubble chairs will travel at a speed of five meters per second with a trip time of 7.3 minutes, The UNI-G lift will transport 2,400 people per hour and become the first six place bubble in Eastern Canada. Tree clearing will begin this summer and both existing lifts will remain operational into next winter until the new lift is ready.

Come December 2027, Doppelmayr will complete the first 10 place gondola in Eastern Canada, replacing the mountain’s 1989 vintage gondola. This UNI-G system will include 65 CWA Omega IV level walk in cabins with individual seats and floor-to-ceiling windows. The gondola will fly a brisk six meters per second, lifting 2,600 guests per hour to the summit in just 7.4 minutes. “Designed for four-season use, this facility will also allow the transportation of mountain bikes, facilitating the development of a summer offering,” noted Mont-Sainte-Anne. “It will become much more than just a means of transportation: an experience in itself, suitable for skiers as well as visitors, groups and convention customers.” The base of the gondola will shift toward L’Express du Sud to coincide with redevelopment of the village and beginner area.

Finally a second six pack will open on the North side of the mountain in December 2028, replacing both a 1987 detachable quad and 1970s T-Bar. This UNI-G detachable will include 67 non-bubble chairs moving at five meters per second. A ride will run just 4.6 minutes with an hourly capacity of 2,600 skiers. When Express du Nord is complete, Mont-Sainte-Anne will have replaced five aging lifts with three modern machines. Mont-Sainte-Anne noted it selected Doppelmayr after a competitive bid process in part due to the Austrian company’s head office in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, “providing superior guarantees for installation and adherence to schedules.”

Mont-Sainte-Anne also plans to install a mountain coaster and revitalize the snowmaking system together with the new lifts. “This project marks a turning point for Mont-Sainte-Anne, said Maxime Cretin, Vice President and General Manager, Eastern Region for Resort of the Canadian Rockies. “It allows us not only to modernize our infrastructure, but also to rethink the overall experience offered to our visitors starting next season, by focusing on performance, comfort and innovation.”

Sugarbush Plans North Ridge Replacement

Peter Landsman13 Comments

Alterra-owned Sugarbush Resort intends to replace its oldest chairlift next year, subject to state approval. The North Ridge Express, which began life lower on Mt. Ellen as the Green Mountain Express, would be removed in spring 2027 and swapped for a Doppelmayr UNI-G detachable quad. The project is expected to cost $10 million, including $2 million of site preparation and utilities work. The new lift would transport 2,400 skiers per hour and follow the same alignment as the existing lift. Alterra first eyed replacing North Ridge in 2023 but the project was tabled in favor of other priorities.

Poma constructed the current lift in 1990 as Sugarbush’s first detachable chair. American Skiing Company then moved Green Mountain Express to North Ridge in 1995. NRX currently ranks 7th oldest detachable in New England and has suffered frequent downtime of late, most recently a result of communication line damage. Sugarbush notes the new lift will improve operational reliability and the overall guest experience at Mt. Ellen. North Ridge Express 2.0 is expected to open in time for the 2027-28 ski season.