Industry News
Red Lodge Mountain begins a two-phase improvement plan to upgrade lift service to lower mountain and learning area terrain
Phase One of Red Lodge Mountain’s multi-year improvement plan will begin in the Summer of 2022 with acquiring a high-speed triple chair purchased from Alta Ski Area in Utah. As part of phase one, the upper Miami area will be transformed by installing an additional carpet conveyor lift and relocating the yurt from the base area. Phase Two is planned for the Summer of 2023 with the removal of the current Miami Beach lift and the installation of the new lift in time for the 2023/24 ski season.
“This is an exciting and significant investment into the ski experience here at Red Lodge. Upgrading to this high-speed triple chair will be a transformation of the beginner experience.”
– Jeff Schmidt, Red Lodge Mountain’s General Manager
The lift being purchased is currently operating as the Sunnyside Lift at Alta and is a Garaventa built CTEC high-speed triple chairlift. The lift will replace the current Miami Beach double chairlift with a modified lift alignment to better serve the terrain. Installed in 1973, the Miami Beach lift has served as access to beginner runs and the Miami Beach Terrain Park. “The Sunnyside Lift has the perfect horsepower and capacity for the Miami terrain,” said Jeff Schmidt.
This spring, the Sunnyside lift will be disassembled, and 15 semi-loads will transport the equipment to Red Lodge while the Red Lodge Mountain team plans for the upgrades needed to install the lift in the summer of 2023. “Putting together a team to install this lift will be a massive effort, and when we finish this project in the fall of 2023, it will be a great accomplishment for our ski area,” said Jeff Schmidt.
