Ski lifts and ticket technology at Stevens Pass ski area will get a facelift next ski season thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from owner Vail Resorts.
Vail Resorts announced Friday it plans to invest between $175 million and $180 million across its 18 ski areas. The Stevens Pass upgrades are part of a two-year $35 million commitment that will be split between Stevens and several other ski areas in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Colorado.
Renovation plans include replacing and upgrading the Daisy and Brooks chairs, which serve beginner and intermediate users and the terrain parks. The new lifts aim to shorten wait times and increase lift capacity by over 9 percent.
“Reducing guest wait times is a top priority across Vail Resorts,” Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, said in a release.
Vail also plans to renovate existing dining areas.
The resort operator also intends to increase express lift ticket fulfillment capacity through mobile technology, allowing skiers and snowboarders to bypass the ticket window and get their ticket from roving agents at the base area lifts. That option will be open for advance ticket purchasers and will be implemented at all North American resorts.
All renovations are expected to be complete by the 2019-20 ski season.
Stevens is one of several resorts acquired by Vail this year. Vail Resorts closed on the Stevens purchase in August for $64 million.
