What’s New at Ski Areas This Season

Work crews were busy over the off season making changes to ski areas across the region. While the hoped-for new lifts at Purgatory aren’t going to spin, there are plenty of reasons for you to get some wax (or new skis) from Durango Outdoor Exchange and hit the slopes this winter.

Colorado

• Monarch: No Name opens this year, with a new triple chair and about a dozen runs (and a warming hut) across 377 acres

• Loveland: Old Lift 7, a double, is now a new fixed-grip triple, helping beginners get on the slopes on the Loveland Valley side of the mountain

• Snowmass: Elk Camp is now a high-speed six seater, and the Cirque poma is now a T-bar

• Copper: Upgraded snowmaking

• Purgatory: Snowmaking to the bottom of Chair 8!

• Sunlight: The ancient Primo and Segundo lifts were replaced with a quad and a triple

New Mexico:

• Sandia: Chair 4 was rebuilt, snowmaking was upgraded, and there’s a new magic carpet in place of the old beginners rope tow

• Sipapu: Lift 3–one of the only detachable pomas left in the U.S.--has been replaced with a double chair

• Pajarito: Improved snowmaking that should ensure an earlier opening

• Santa Fe: The old Super Chief quad was upgraded to a high-speed quad

• Taos: Old Lift 7, a rare triple made by Stadeli, was replaced by a new fixed triple.

Utah:

• Deer Valley doubled its size, to 4,300 acres, and added a mind-blowing seven new lifts

• Snowbasin replaced Becker with a high-speed quad and expanded its beginner terrain in Bear Hollow

Arizona:

• Snowbowl: Upgraded snowmaking on beginner runs and removal of dead trees for improved glade skiing

• Sunrise: Modest improvements over the summer including rebuilt lift mechanics, a new learning center, and upgraded decks

With more terrain, faster lifts, and improved amenities, there’s lots to explore this year. Stop by Durango Outdoor Exchange before you head to the slopes for new gear, fresh clothes, and instant stoke.