Seven Springs Resort, PA, is Replacing its 1975 Blitzen Lift

Seven Springs Resort, Pennsylvania, is replacing its 1975 Blitzen Lift with a new four-person fixed-grip Doppelmayr chairlift. The previous lift had reached the end of its service life, and sourcing parts has become increasingly difficult, making this upgrade an important investment in long-term reliability. The new four-person lift will increase uphill capacity by approximately 33%—or about 600 additional passengers per hour compared to the previous triple chair. The project is planned to be completed ahead of the 2026-27 season, pending approvals. Seven Springs’ goal is to complete construction in advance of the season so guests can enjoy the upgrade as soon as possible.

The new lift type was selected following careful evaluation of skier traffic patterns, terrain, and local weather conditions. A fixed-grip design allows for more riders per chair, which helps reduce wait times and more evenly disperse skiers and riders across the mountain. Additionally, fixed-grip lifts tend to perform more reliably in Western Pennsylvania’s variable winter weather, including icing events, where high-speed detachable lifts can be more susceptible to operational downtime. Overall, this upgrade is designed to improve reliability, enhance guest flow, and deliver a more consistent on-mountain experience.

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The construction of the concrete foundations for the top and bottom terminal masts, lift towers, and operator huts was completed in early July. The site is nearly ready for the installation of lift components, which are scheduled to begin arriving at the resort toward the end of the month. At the new top terminal area, initial regrading work is now complete. Crews are currently placing and grading the unload ramp and runout leading to the slopes. The new configuration will improve the flow of skier and rider traffic onto Lost Boy Trail and North Face Slope once the project is complete. A new top terminal was relocated approximately 400 feet downhill to reduce congestion. The lift will improve reliability with modern infrastructure and will allow access to both the Front and North Face terrain.

This project is focused on making the on-mountain experience smoother, faster, and more enjoyable. Specifically, it is designed to reduce wait times by increasing uphill capacity and carrying more guests per chair, improve flow and reduce congestion through the adjusted top terminal location, enhance access to key terrain serving both the Front and North Face sides of the mountain, and deliver more reliable operations, especially in variable winter weather conditions common to the region. Overall, the upgrade helps ensure guests spend more time on the slopes and less time waiting in line, while also supporting the resort’s progressive learning terrain.

At this time, the Blitzen Lift replacement is the primary announced project for the 2026-27 season. It is a key investment focused on improving reliability, safety, and the overall guest experience. Other improvement projects around the resort include a new PB400 Park Pro snowcat, approximately 3,000 feet of aging snowmaking pipe upgraded to FBE steel pipe, and new grips and a new haul rope installed on Cortina Chair.

Vail Resorts plans to commit to long-term investments in Seven Springs and its East Region resorts. Its focus is on modernizing infrastructure, improving reliability and safety, enhancing the overall guest experience, and introducing new skiers and riders to the sport. The Blitzen Lift project is one example of this broader strategy, and the company will continue to evaluate future improvements that help guests spend more time on the slopes and create lasting mountain experiences.

Later this summer, chairs from the retired Blitzen Lift will be auctioned for charity. It’s a way for guests to own a piece of Seven Springs history while giving back. These chairs have carried generations of skiers, and soon they’ll help support the local community. Seven Springs plans to announce more information about the lift auction before the season begins.