Snowmass Ski Area, CO Gets Approval to Replace Big Burn Chair with a 6-pack, High-Speed Chairlift

The Big Burn Chair at Snowmass Ski Area CO, is reaching the end of its operational lifespan after 33 years of service, and needs to be replaced according to the U.S. National Forest Service, the Aspen Times reports.  The U.S. Forest Service has approved its replacement with a six-pack, high-speed chairlift. The decision was made the Forest Service on December 20, 2019 but only announced Thursday, January 9.

The Big Burn Chair is arguably one of Snowmass’ best chairs, giving access to hundreds of acres of skiable terrain and superb glade-skiing. 

The approval gives Aspen Skiing Company the opportunity to replace the Big Burn Chair with a new six-pack, high-speed chair as early as summer of 2020. The new lift may also be the first at Aspen Snowmass to have a retractable “bubble” that would shield skiers and riders from the wind and snow. However, the decision on the bubble is yet to be determined. It’s the end of an era for the iconic chairlift , but the beginning of a new one for the ski resort.