Colorado’s Oldest Operational Chairlift Will Be Replaced Next Summer

Sunlight Mountain Resort, Colorado, will replace the state’s oldest operational lift next summer. The Segundo lift, a fixed grip Heron double, was originally built in 1954 at Aspen Mountain, Colorado. Aspen eventually replaced the double chair and sent it to Sunlight Mountain Resort, where it was installed in 1973. The Segundo chair will be replaced by a Poma fixed-grip triple in time for the 2025/2026 winter operating season. The triple will be relocated from Arapahoe Basin, where it would have been operating as the Lenawee Mountain lift, from 2001/2022. The upgrade will increase hourly capacity by more than 50%.

Another double chair at Sunlight, a fixed grip Riblet double from 1966, called the Primo lift, is also set for replacement in time for the 2025/2026 winter season. It will be replaced by a new Leitner-Poma fixed grip quad. The new lift will more than double uphill capacity, allowing for shorter lines even on crowded days.

Just outside of the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Sunlight Mountain Resort is a small, budget-oriented ski area with welcoming vibes that are hard to find anywhere else. The resort offers 75 ski runs spread across 730 skiable acres. An average annual snowfall of about 227 inches (577 centimeters) combined with a base elevation of 7,885 feet (2,403 meters) allows for good snow cover and conditions during the peak winter season. Sunlight is a great option for families or people on a budget if you are ever in the area.