New high-speed chair for Snowmass

27th April 2015, by Abi Butcher

The High Alpine fixed-grip chair will be replaced by a high-speed quad for next season

Snowmass in Colorado will have a new chairlift and 63 new acres of gladed terrain for next season.

The US Forest Service has just granted permission for the replacement of the 30-year-old fixed grip High Alpine lift with a new fast-speed quad that will halve journey times to the top of the ski area.

More terrain will be gladed within the ski area boundary, increasing it from 398 to 461 — including terrain for intermediates to experts.

The new high-speed High Alpine quad will move to the west of the existing fixed-grip, beginning near High Alpine Restaurant, 1,000ft lower than the start of the current lift. The ride time will be reduced from 11 to 5.6 minutes, though uphill capacity remains unchanged for the 1,200 skiers per hour who take the lift for the fantastic bumps runs from the top of High Alpine.

Over the next few years, Aspen Skiing Co will thin trees in six glades across Snowmass, including Sneaky’s, Freefall/Glissade, Reidar’s, Castle, Long Shot and Upper Green Cabin Glade.

“On powder days, these give you another several hundred lines,” said Rich Burkley, Skico vice president of mountain operations at Aspen Skiing Co.

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• aspen
• snowmass
• chair
• glade

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