Industry News
Vail Ski Resort is located in Summit County, Colorado, along with many other major ski destinations. Vail is loaded with 34 lifts, which include two gondolas that provide access to 5,317 acres and 3,500 vertical feet of skiing. Its immense size makes Vail the fourth-largest ski area in the United States. Vail has been developing its 2024 Master Development Plan which will include new lift installations, expanding the trail network, new restaurants and guest services, and much more.
The Vail Master Development Plan’s main upgrades will include three new lifts. On the Front Side of Vail, the Trans Montane chairlift is planned to extend from the ABC parking lot to the Trans Montane ski run. The previously approved West Lionshead Gondola is planned to be installed on the front side. One new chairlift is planned for the Back Bowls, the Mongolia Express is planned to extend from a bottom terminal near Two Elk Creek to the ridgeline above the existing Mongolia Platter which will be removed.
A total of 11 chairlifts are planned to be replaced to improve reliability and transport across the mountain. The chairlifts planned for replacement include Chair 2 (Avanti Express), Chair 3 (Wildwood Express), Chair 4 (Mountain Top Express), Chair 6 (Riva Bahn Express), Chair 8 (Born Free Express), Chair 15 (Little Eagle), Chair 19 (Eagle Bahn Gondola), Chair 20 (Cascade Village), Chair 21 (Orient Express), and Chair 36 (Teacup Express). If the Mongolia Express is constructed, the Mongolia Platter will be removed, otherwise, it will be upgraded to a newer surface lift. See the attached image below to see which lifts will be replaced, as many lifts will see an increase in uphill capacity.
Vail plans to expand its trail network. Approximately 160 acres of newly developed terrain are planned in the Back Bowls and Blue Sky Basin. Of this, 135 acres of this terrain are previously approved trails in Pete’s Bowl and Earl’s Bowl. The remainder are skiways intended to improve circulation at the base of Skyline Express and Teacup Express and a groomed traverse off of Earl’s Express. With the installation of Mongolia Express, approximately 195 acres of terrain are recategorized from undeveloped to developed terrain. Minor trail improvements and grooming may occur on these existing trails that are less utilized due to the lack of lift service in the area.
Three new structures are planned to be constructed or renovated. A 10,000-square-foot restaurant west of the top terminal of Chair 9 (Sun Up Express). As well as a 12,000-square-foot mountain operations facility at Snow Summit (6,000 square feet have been previously approved). There are also plans for the Umbrella Bar structure at Mid Vail, which would accommodate around 50 indoor and 100 outdoor seats. There are many renovations included in the Master Development Plan, such as a renovation of Eagle’s Nest with the planned replacement of Gondola 19, expanding guest service space at Wildwood, a permanent structure to replace the temporary 10th Deck structure, and a 120-square foot restroom facility at the top of the Forest Flyer Mountain Coaster.
While Vail is working on its Master Development Plan, there are still a few upgrades that are in progress. As part of the 2019 Golden Peak Improvements Projects, 42 acres of new ski trails were approved. To date, approximately 34 acres of terrain and snowmaking coverage have been constructed, with 8 acres of previously approved terrain not yet constructed. Snowmaking is also under development, nearly 181 acres previously approved for snowmaking coverage have not yet been constructed.
The Vail 2023 Master Development Plan is focused on expanding the uphill capacity and improving the overall customer experience. The items discussed merely cover the major improvements in the Master Development Plan. To summarize significant changes in the plan, see the list below for the front-side and back-side changes coming to Vail in the coming seasons.
Front Side
- Gondola 19 (Eagle Bahn) replacement
- Upgrade Chair 3 (Wildwood Express) with a six-passenger lift
- New lift from ABC lot to Trans Montane run
- Upgrade Chair 2 (Avanti Express) with a gondola containing a mid-station
- Upgrade Chair 4 (Mountain Top Express) to an eight-passenger lift
- Upgrade and extend Chair 6 (Born Free Express) to a six-passenger lift
- Replace Chair 20 (Cascade Village) with a six-passenger lift with a mid-station
- Chair 26 (Pride Express) replacement
- New lift from West Lionshead to bottom terminal of Chari 26 (Pride Express)
- West Mountain Lower intermediate terrain improvements
- Miscellaneous grading
- Construct a 12,000-square-foot mountain operations facility
- Expand snowmaking pond
- Mid Vail Umbrella Bar
- Mid Vail Renovation
- 10th Mountain Deck Renovation
- Replace or expand Wildwood Smokehouse
- Renovate Eagle’s Nest
- 171 acres of previously approved snowmaking coverage
- 64 acres of planned snowmaking coverage
Back Side
- Upgrade Chair 21 (Orient Express) with a six-passenger lift
- Remove or upgrade Chair 22 (Mongolia Platter)
- Upgrade Chair 36 Tea Cup Express to a 6-person lift
- Construct Mongolia Express Chairlift from Two Elk Creek to the ridgeline above Mongolia Platter
- Blue Sky Basin trails
- The creation of a groomable route from Belle’s Camp across the ridge to West Earl’s Bowl
- Expansion of the administrative boundary in West Earl’s Bowl, East Pete’s Bowl, and Mongolia Bowl
- Conduct previously approved vegetation management across Vail
- Blue Sky Basin Restaurant
