Winter Park resort is about to get some major upgrades for the 2018-19 season with an investment of $28.2 million to spend on improvements, including a new gondola.
It seems lately that more and more ski resorts across Colorado are shelling out the cash to help improve the overall quality of their systems for the next season. And on Monday, March 12, Winter Park resort was the latest to announce that it will be making its own improvements for the 2018-19 season, including a new gondola, a snowmaking system, and more. Operated by Alterra Mountain Co., the company will be spending a hefty $28.2 million on upgrades at Winter Park alone. And, over the course of the next five years, Alterra plans to spend more than half a billion dollars in improvements for its resorts.
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Rendering of new gondola. (Courtesy of Winter Park)[/caption]
The Zephyr Express, a four-person lift, will be replaced with a $16 million gondola (above) that will increase rider capacity from 2,600 to 3,600 per hour, especially on the weekends when it's the most busy. This new gondola also marks as Winter Park's first lift being constructed since 2007.
Resort officials have also said that its 42-year-old snowmaking system is ready for some updates, which will hopefully allow for more terrain to open earlier in the season.
More snowcats, truck-sized vehicles meant to move on the snow, will be added. Winter Park is also adding 21 acres of lodging to its Eagle Wind Territory for glade skiing.
Winter Park is also part of the new Ikon Pass, a season pass that grants skiers access to 23 resorts across the country.
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