Industry News
The White River National Forest has approved Keystone’s plans for their new Bergman Bowl project.
Keystone is located in Summit County, CO, next to the likes of Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, and Loveland. The ski resort opened in 1970 and has since grown to 20 lifts and over 3,000 skiable acres. Since 1997, the mountain has been owned by Vail Resorts and is a part of the Epic Pass.
The Bergman Bowl project will bring lift service to a portion of Keystone’s high alpine, above the treeline, terrain. A high speed detachable quad chair is expected to serve Bergman and neighboring Erickson Bowl, adding 555 acres lift served terrain to the resort. The new chairlift will be capable of handling 2,400 skiers per hour and deposit skiers at a top elevation of 12,300 feet.
Bergman Bowl Statistics
- Runs: 13 + gladed terrain
- Skiable Acres: 555
- Chairlift: High speed quad
- Base Elevation: 11,300 ft.
- Summit Elevation: 12,300 ft.
Along with the terrain expansion and new chairlift, Keystone will be adding additional infrastructure to the area. 20 acres of snowmaking, an expanded Outpost restaurant at the top of North peak, and a ski patrol station at the top of the new Bergman Bowl chairlift will enhance the new project and skier experience.
With the new terrain, Keystone hopes to spread out crowds and provide a new experience for visitors. Previously, the terrain in Bergman Bowl and the surrounding area was accessible only by hiking and snowcat. Beginners and Intermediates will rejoice as they be able to experience above the treeline skiing in the new lift served zone.
I spent a lot of days at Keystone between 2008 – 2012 while at CU Boulder. Keystone can get crowded but hopefully the new project will ease some congestion points on the Outback and North Peak. The high alpine terrain at Keystone may not be the steepest compared to its neighbor Breckenridge, but the sheer magnitude of terrain in Independence, Bergman, Erickson, North, and South Bowls certainly makes up for it.
With the approval given by the White River National Forest, a 45-day objection period begins. No set date for beginning construction on the new Bergman Bowl project has been released.
