What's new on the slopes this season
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People ride up the chair lift at Breckenridge ski resort in 2020. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
Colorado's ski resorts are opening new terrain and restaurants to build the mountain experience for an expected increase in skiers and boarders as public health restrictions are lifting.
Here's a rundown with what you need to know.
Arapahoe Basin: The new Steilhang Hut is a German-style alpine respite with specialty sausages, beer, pretzels and strudel to fit the theme. It's located near the Lenawee Lift and features a deck with big views of the Continental Divide.
Beaver Creek: McCoy Park will reopen as a ski area with two new lifts and 17 additional trails on 250 acres mostly tailored to beginners. A new warming hut at the top will offer beautiful views of the southwest peaks. A few nordic and snowshoe trails remain available as well.
Bluebird Backcountry: This dedicated backcountry area outside Kremmling offers 1,200-plus acres of skiing on Bear Mountain if you hike to the top. Four fresh uphill skin tracks and 12 downhill trails debut this season, including two intermediate runs and four extreme steeps.
Breckenridge: A second chairlift will run at the base of Peak 7 next to the Independence Lift to alleviate congestion.
Copper: For an extra $49, skiers and riders can skip the crowded lines at some chairlifts. The Fast Track's pass is promising a "premium experience," but it's being met with controversy, too. The resort is opening new adventure zones and trails for families, and returning to free parking in the Alpine and Far East lots.
Crested Butte: The beginner terrain near the Peachtree Lift is improved with grading to make a more consistent pitch. An upgrade to the chairlift means it now carries a three-person chair.
Granby Ranch: The expansion of snowmaking to 115 acres — triple its prior coverage — will allow for better conditions, the resort says.
Keystone: The Peru Lift is now a six-passenger express serving the terrain park and beginner runs.
Loveland: Up top, snowcat tours will begin in the Dry Gulch area for a guided backcountry experience. The base lodge saw a fresh overhaul.
Ski Cooper: The Timberline Taproom and Trading Post opens with a sawmill theme and features Colorado beers.
Steamboat: The base area is transforming — and more changes are coming as part of the resort's largest redevelopment in its history. What you will see: A new main entrance, central square and lower gondola terminal.
Telluride: Forty new acres of beginner and intermediate terrain, as well as expanded snowmaking capacity.
Winter Park: Three new restaurants open in the base area, including a Stoney's Bar and Grill in the Village. You can also enjoy the views of the ridgeline with sunset guided skiing and riding.
Vail: The Black Forest race area off the Avanti Lift (chair 2) is being converted to a skills zone for all skiers and the hub for its lessons.