DENVER (KDVR) — Powderhorn Mountain Resort is getting ready to turn 60, and to help celebrate, the resort is working to replace its long-running West End double chairlift.
The chairlift was first installed in 1972, and Powderhorn is asking the U.S. Forest Service for approval to replace it with a high-speed detachable quad lift in summer 2026. USFS approval is needed because Powderhorn is located inside the Grand Mesa, Uncompaghre and Gunnison National Forests‘ Grand Valley Ranger District.
The USFS is requesting public comment on the proposed lift replacement, which can be submitted online here.
“This is a major step forward for Powderhorn,” said Ryan Schramm, the resort’s general manager, in the resort’s announcement. “Installing a high-speed lift on the west side of the resort will feel like opening new terrain. The old West End lift was long enough that most people only did a run or two before returning to the Flat Top Flyer. This upgrade marks the next chapter in our commitment to invest in the resort’s future and enhance the guest experience across the mountain.”
The lift that Powderhorn hopes to replace is the old West End double chairlift, and the resort is planning to install a high-speed quad lift that used to be the Elk Camp chair at Snowmass, but will be fully refurbished by a Grand Junction area manufacturer. The work includes a new electrical drive system, overhauls of the tower sheave trains, replacement of chair grips and complete upgrades to the top and bottom terminals, according to the resort.
The plan is to have a slightly shorter lift length to improve skier flow by relocating the top terminal, but without losing any terrain access. Travel time from the base to the summit will be less than half the current time, according to Powderhorn.
The new lift will be called the Wild West Express, which Powderhorn called a “nod to the original lift and the character of the terrain on Powderhorn’s west side.”
The resort hopes to begin construction on the lift in summer 2026, with a projected opening date of December 2026.
It’s also the start of something much bigger: Powderhorn is planning a slate of multi-year improvements that will begin this winter. The rental shop will be moved to the southwest side of the base lodge, and a new restaurant called the Quickdraw Cafe will take its place.
“These projects aren’t just about faster laps or more terrain,” said Schramm in the resort’s announcement. “They’re about improving the whole Powderhorn experience with more lunch seats for busy powder days and great breakfast views and easier slope access and even simple improvements like more parking.
“We’re looking to deepen the value we provide for our community, our guests, and our future generations of visitors,” Schramm added. “Reaching our 60th season is an incredible milestone – and we’re entering it with momentum to get us started on the next 60 years.”
The resort is also adding a new snowcat for slope grooming and additional parking capacity. Powderhorn is planning the projects to accommodate a “growing number of skiers and snowboarders while preserving the resort’s traditional welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.”
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
