8 W E S T W O R D W i n t e r G u i d e 2 0 2 4 - 2 5 westword.com And Snow It Goes A QUICK TRIP THROUGH RECENT RESORT CHANGES. BY A BIG A IL B L IS S Winter is coming — though in some moun- tain regions, it’s already arrived. On Oc- tober 22, Wolf Creek became the fi rst ski area to open not only in Colorado, but in the entire country. With our continued prayers for powder, many more will soon follow suit. In the process, they’ll unveil new terrain, base-area lodging, dining concepts and more. Last season, Steamboat Ski Resort and Keystone Resort debuted major in-bounds expansions, as did Aspen Mountain with its Hero’s high-speed quad. Following continued improvements, Ajax skiers can further explore its challenging gladed ar- eas this winter. Purgatory Resort has also been busy trimming trees and improving popular runs like Mark’s Park and McCor- mack’s Maze. Monarch Mountain cleared trees this year as it began to develop No Name Basin, which will add 377 acres to the ski area and nearly double its footprint. Although a three-person lift won’t be installed until next year, Monarch Cat Skiing will provide access to the newly cut backcountry trails. Beginners will also have access to uncharted territory this season. Granby Ranch has installed Stagecoach, a 400- foot covered conveyor lift in its learners’ base area. Durango’s affordable in-town ski area, Chapman Hill, has upgraded and extended one of its tow ropes, while another has been replaced with a platter lift that offers 500 feet of vertical. Larger resorts have also made lift up- grades. Copper Mountain converted its Timberline Express four-person chairlift to a high-speed six-pack, providing quicker access to intermediate terrain in its west- ern region. Snowmass Ski Resort replaced its Coney Glade chair with the high-speed Coney Express quad, which loads in the Snowmass Village Mall and signifi cantly increases out-of-base capacity. It also fea- tures a new midway station, providing easy entry into Snowmass’s world-class terrain park. Freestyle riders should also take note of Thresher Alley at Hoedown Hill, Colorado’s newest ski area. Its third terrain park will feature banks, rollers and other natural snow features. Meanwhile, Telluride Ski Resort is re- vealing the Heritage Trail early this winter, located in the beginner-friendly Grouse Glade. Ride up the Sunshine Express lift and down this run to fi nd seven interactive features that highlight the Ute tribe, Wild West characters and more chapters of the area’s history. Winter Park Resort will also honor its regional heritage in partnership with NativesOutdoors, unveiling trail signs in Eagle Wind terrain that include names translated into the Arapaho language. When you need a break from the cold, several resorts have new and improved amenities. Eldora Mountain just held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new, energy-effi cient Caribou Lodge, which houses a cozy cafe, a retail shop and gear rentals, plus Ignite Adaptive Sports pro- gramming and the children’s ski school. Family-friendly Keystone Resort will also move its ski-and-ride school this season; it will debut within Kindred Resort, a new luxury development in the River Run Vil- lage base area featuring slopeside lodging, a retail-and-rental shop, a full-service spa and three restaurants. For more new après-ski spots, check out Vail’s Powerline Pub at the top of Gondola One, as well as an Avanti Food & Beverage outpost set to open in the Golden Peak base area. Denver commuters may also recognize American Indian eatery Tocabe, which will take over Winter Park’s outpost above the Wild Spur Express lift. While that restaurant requires a ride into Vasquez Ridge, the resort’s base area just welcomed Sundog Taproom, which offers casual pub fare and thirty self-serve taps pouring craft beer, wine and cocktails. Other noteworthy additions include Hoedown Hill’s new lift-serviced bar, the Frosted Spigot, and Purgatory Resort’s updated dining concepts that include Powderhouse Lodge and the health-centric Village Market & Deli. There’s also the Cabin at Snowmass, formerly known as the Lynn Britt Cabin. This recently renovated eatery is accessible via the new Coney Express lift and features an extended patio, plus an expanded list of bookable experiences including live enter- tainment and snowcat dinners. Copper Mountain will also premiere themed dinner events at its on-mountain restaurant Forage & Feast, which opened last season within Aerie Lodge. This venue at the top of the American Eagle lift will debut sunset ski events featuring after-hours laps, Colorado cuisine and live music. On December 21 and 22, Copper Moun- tain will host a new X Games Street Style Pro event complete with musical per- formances and nighttime competitions among professionals and up-and-coming athletes. Those who place will be invited to compete in X Games Aspen, at Buttermilk Ski Resort January 23-25. Buttermilk will also host the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix from January 30 to February 6, as well as the all-new Snow League competition created by acclaimed snowboarder Shaun White on March 7 and 8. Beaver Creek Resort will premiere an exciting event this season, too: For the fi rst time, women competitors in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup will race down the leg- endary Birds of Prey course December 14 and 15. The annual CASEY DAY/ SKI COOPER Ski Cooper has slashed prices this year. continued on page 10
