Sun Valley Resort Receives Approval to Replace Lookout Express and Christmas Chairlifts

Sun Valley, ID. – Sun Valley Resort today announces it has received approval from the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to move forward with a series of lift replacements and infrastructure upgrades on Bald Mountain, with construction starting in April 2026. 

The approved projects represent a significant investment in the future of the mountain, enhancing reliability, access, and long-term environmental stewardship. Replacement of Christmas and Lookout Express lifts will increase reliability and uphill capacity while continuing the modernization of Sun Valley’s industry-leading lift infrastructure.

“The replacement of Christmas and Lookout Express lifts is another major milestone in modernizing the lift network at Sun Valley. Both lifts play a critical role in getting skiers and riders to the top of Bald Mountain. We are proud to partner with Doppelmayr once again and build on the success of our most recent lift projects – Seattle Ridge, Flying Squirrel, Challenger and Broadway. Sun Valley has the most efficient lift system in the country, and these upgrades will ensure that continues for many years to come,” said Pete Sonntag, COO at Sun Valley Resort.

The existing Lookout Express detachable quad will be replaced with a new high-speed six-person lift, cutting ride time to approximately 8.5 minutes at speeds up to 1,000 feet per minute, significantly increasing uphill capacity and reliability on Bald Mountain. The new lift is a similar model to the Seattle Ridge Lift upgrade completed in 2024.

The existing Christmas Lift detachable quad will be replaced with a new high-speed detachable quad, offering an approximate 4.5-minute ride time at speeds up to 1,000 feet per minute, improving mid-mountain circulation and reliability. The new lift is the same model as the Flying Squirrel Lift upgrade completed in 2023.

Together, these upgrades will meaningfully increase uphill capacity, reduce wait times, and improve ride consistency, strengthening the infrastructure that supports both winter and summer operations for years to come.

There will be intermittent impacts to biking and hiking on the River Run side of Bald Mountain over the summer, though the mountain plans to remain open and in operation. Please sign up for email communications to stay up-to-date and review the Bald Mountain Operations page in the early spring for latest updates. 

Construction on the new Connector Trail, in conjunction with the City of Ketchum's connection of River Run (via Bald Mountain Trail) to Warm Springs, has also been approved and is slated to begin this spring. This project will impact Bald Mountain Trail access at times and more details will be shared in the coming weeks