Steamboat ski area in Colorado's massive 'Full steam Ahead' programme which is seeing $200m invested over several years on a full base upgrade is set to see more now lifts opening next winter.
The upgrades will lead to Steamboat expanding to become Colorado's second biggest ski area and see its uplift capacity from its base almost double.
Current ski area owners, the Alterra group, say the second section of the Wild Blue Gondola will be completed in time for next winter
The Doppelmayr-built D-Line gondola will become the longest in North America with a 12 minute ride from base to summit. The first section opened this winter from Steamboat Square to Greenhorn Ranch and Doppelmayr has already completed tower foundations for phase 2 to Sunshine Peak.
Leitner-Poma of America will build Steamboat's second new lift this summer, previously known as Pioneer Ridge but now rechristened Mahogany Ridge Express.
The new detachable quad will service 655 acres of expert terrain in Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon, making Steamboat the second largest mountain in Colorado.
All the lift upgrades will eventually lead to Steamboat's capacity up the mountain from the base increasing from 6,000 to 10,000 people per hour.