Powderhorn Mountain Resort Announces West End Chairlift Replacement

MESA, COLORADO – Subject to approval of the U.S. Forest Service, Powderhorn Mountain Resort announced it will replace the long-running West End double chairlift, which was installed in 1972, with a high-speed detachable quad lift in the summer of 2026. This transformative capital improvement will significantly enhance terrain access, guest flow, and mountain operations ahead of the resort’s 60th anniversary season which occurs in the winter of 2026-27.

The new lift will be installed in the same alignment as the old lift, meaning disturbance to the land will be relatively minimal. The plan is to have a slightly shorter length which will improve skier flow by relocating the top terminal, with no loss of terrain access. Because of the increased lift speed, travel time from base to summit on the west side of the mountain will be less than half the current time providing faster access to some of the best parts of Powderhorn’s 1,600 acres of terrain.

“This is a major step forward for Powderhorn,” said Ryan Schramm, the resort’s General Manager. “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 high-speed quad, formerly the Elk Camp chair at Snowmass, is being completely refurbished by Leitner-Poma of America (LPOA), a Grand Junction-based manufacturer. The refurbishment will include a new electrical drive system, overhauls of the tower sheave trains, replacement of chair grips, and complete upgrades to the top and bottom terminals.

The new lift will be named the Wild West Express, a nod to the original lift and the character of the terrain on Powderhorn’s west side. Pending U.S. Forest Service approval, construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, and the lift is projected to open to the public in December 2026. The project is proceeding in close coordination with the United States Forest Service, whose on-going collaboration supports responsible and sustainable resort development on public lands. Powderhorn will share project updates via its website and social media channels, allowing guests and passholders to follow along as progress unfolds.

The lift replacement is part of a broader slate of multi-year improvements. Beginning this winter, the rental shop will move to the southwest side of the base lodge, and a new restaurant, the Quickdraw Café, will take its place at the lodge’s northeast corner offering great views of the Book Cliffs. The resort is also adding a new snowcat for slope grooming and adding new parking capacity. Collectively, these projects will help Powderhorn accommodate a growing number of skiers and snowboarders while preserving the resort’s traditional welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

“These projects aren’t just about faster laps or more terrain,” added Schramm. “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. Reaching our 60th season is an incredible milestone – and we’re entering it with momentum to get us started on the next 60 years.”

Located near the top of the Grand Mesa on the storied Western Slope of Colorado, Powderhorn celebrates its 59th year as a scenic, family-friendly resort featuring 1,600 acres of terrain suited to a variety of abilities and preferences. Powderhorn is known for extending exceptional value to guests, thanks to improvements at the resort and a mountain focused on creating one-of-a-kind, year-round experiences. Western Colorado is known for its wide-open spaces, distinctive topography, and friendly locals. 

Pacific Group Resorts is an international resort operating company based in Park City, Utah whose portfolio includes Jay Peak in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort in the Beaufort Mountain Range on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Wisp Resort in the Appalachian Mountains of western Maryland, and Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa of western Colorado. Pacific Group Resorts also manages the mountain operations of Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire, which is not owned by the resort operator. Combined the company operates over 4,000 acres of ski terrain serving about 1 million skier visits per year, 99 holes of golf, over 40 food & beverage outlets, over 4,000 pillows, plus tennis, pickleball, pools, a water park, athletic fields, a whitewater rafting course, numerous retail operations, spas, and a variety of other amenities.