Industry News
There is so much excitement around this upcoming season regarding lift upgrades, expansion news, and other investments. The ski industry had one of its best seasons last year regarding participation numbers, and resorts are hoping for another great one again. Steamboat, Colorado, is a resort that is planning for the future, and one of its big projects is going to be ready for the 2023/24 season.
The upper section of the Wild Blue Gondola is expected to be up and running this season, making it the longest 10-person gondola in North America. The gondola was built to lower congestion at the base area and increase the out-of-base capacity from 6,000 people per hour to 10,000 people per hour. Featuring the single largest direct drive in the world, Wild Blue brings state-of-the-art technology to Steamboat Resort.
This should help redistribute skiers across the mountain and transport guests up the mountain at seven meters per second from Greenhorn Ranch to the top of Sunshine Peak. The gondola has a lower section of 57 cabins and an upper section of 113 cabins and is just one project that is part of Steamboat’s Mountain Area Master Plan. “I think our guests are going to be blown away. When they experience it, I think everyone will truly understand how transformational this gondola is to this world-class ski area,” said Dave Hunter, Vice President of Mountain Operations.
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The Mountain Area Master Plan is a project that Steamboat is implementing to upgrade its lifts, add new terrain, and increase additional food service facilities. “These new projects complement those that have long been at the top of Steamboat’s wish list, and now we are taking steps to obtain the necessary approval to be ready to move forward when the time is right,” said Rob Perlman, president, and COO of Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation.
Specifically, those projects include the Wild Blue Gondola providing access from the base area through Bashor to Sunshine Peak, a new restaurant at the top of the gondola at Sunshine Peak, and adding 650 acres of new terrain to the Fish Creek Falls area. The total investment of $200 million is geared to enhance the guest experience at Steamboat and make it one of the premier ski destinations in the world. “Alterra recognizes Steamboat’s potential and the necessity to make big changes both on-mountain and in the base area to keep the resort at the forefront of vacation destinations,” said Perlman.
Construction crews were busy this offseason trying to get the new Wild Blue Gondola completed for the quickly approaching ski season. Once completed, it will be one of the biggest and most impactful projects for skiers and riders at Steamboat. The excitement for the upcoming season is beginning to build, and the new gondola will be an excellent addition for guests visiting Steamboat this season.
For more information about Steamboat, visit its website.
