What's New for Ski Season in North America

by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Fri January 5, 2024

Snow is falling and ski season is in full swing at resorts across North America.

This winter, skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of a variety of new developments and offerings, including terrain, chairlifts, lodges, hotels, restaurants and more.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s new at ski resorts in the United States and Canada.

Aspen Mountain

This iconic Colorado ski area, located in the Roaring Fork Valley of the Rocky Mountains, is unveiling a major terrain expansion this season. The resort added 150 acres to its existing footprint, which expands its total skiable terrain by 20 percent. The new area is called Hero’s and represents Aspen’s first major expansion in more than two decades; it also includes a new high-speed, four-person chairlift.

Off the mountain, Aspen is also welcoming a new boutique hotel this winter: MOLLIE Aspen. The 68-room luxury property overlooks Aspen’s Paepcke Park and is within walking distance of the downtown core. The hotel has a lobby bar and restaurant with year-round outdoor seating, as well as an all-day café. The rooftop pool and terrace area also transform into an intimate lounge during the evening.

The Little Nell, Aspen’s slopeside luxury hotel, debuted a new spa this winter and recently unveiled renovations to its adjacent property, the private Residences at The Little Nell.

While in town, travelers should also make a reservation at Bosq, Aspen’s first restaurant to receive a coveted Michelin star. Michelin Guide came to Colorado for the first time during the summer of 2023 and awarded one-star designations to just five restaurants in the state. Bosq was the only restaurant outside of the Denver/Boulder area to get the nod.

Schweitzer

Situated in the Selkirk Mountains of Idaho’s panhandle, Schweitzer has a new owner this winter: Alterra Mountain Company. The ski area is also debuting the new Creekside Express chairlift, a high-speed four-seater that replaces a fixed-group double chair; the new lift doubles the previous lift’s capacity and can accommodate up to 2,400 riders per hour.

This also marks the first full season for Schweitzer’s new Cambium Spa, located inside the Selkirk Lodge in the ski area’s base village.

More broadly, Schweitzer is in the middle of a major infrastructure project that will include a new 1,400-space parking lot, a new day lodge, expanded beginner and intermediate terrain and improved access to the mountain.

Copper Mountain

The big news at Colorado’s Copper Mountain this season is The Aerie, a 25,000-square-foot mid-mountain lodge with views of the surrounding mountains. The new venue features a full-service restaurant, a coffee shop, a food hall and an event space.

Keystone Resort

Located roughly an hour-and-a-half from Denver, Colorado’s Keystone Resort has a new lift that provides access to 555 acres of high alpine terrain. (Previously, the only way to reach this area was to hike up.) Called the Bergman Express, the high-speed six-passenger chairlift makes it easier for skiers and riders to reach the Erickson and Bergman bowls. In the same area, Keystone also unveiled a new off-the-grid ski patrol hut and new snowmaking infrastructure.

Loon Mountain

New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain is adding more than 30 acres of new terrain as part of its South Peak Expansion, which will boost the resort’s beginner terrain by more than 50 percent. This season, Loon Mountain also debuts a new four-seater chairlift called the Lincoln Express Quad.

Steamboat Resort

Steamboat is now the second-largest ski resort in Colorado, thanks to the opening of an additional 655 acres of double-black diamond expert terrain in Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon. The expansion is part of the resort’s broader, $220 million “Full Steam Ahead” redevelopment project.

Also this winter, Steamboat extended its Wild Blue Gondola, which is now the fastest and longest 10-person gondola in North America. It’s more than 3 miles long, though the ride only takes 13 minutes.

Steamboat is also opening The Range Food & Drink Hall, a new indoor/outdoor lounge with four dining concepts.

Steamboat Ski Resort, Colorado ski resort, ski resort

The Highlands

Situated near the northern tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula, The Highlands is launching a new high-speed, six-person chairlift this season. With heated seats and tinted, weatherproof bubbles protecting every chair, the lift is the first of its kind in the Midwest.

Big Sky Resort

Montana’s Big Sky Resort is launching its new and improved Lone Peak Tram, which replaces an older gondola originally built in 1995. The new aerial conveyance features two tram cars that can each hold up to 75 people. It zips along at 22 miles per hour and reaches the top in less than 4 minutes.

This season also marks the 50th anniversary of Big Sky, which opened for its first winter season in 1973.

Sugarloaf

One of the largest resorts east of the Rockies is getting even bigger: Sugarloaf is unveiling its largest terrain expansion in more than 40 years. The Maine resort is adding 120 acres—which includes 12 new trails—to its West Mountain area. The resort is also debuting the new Bucksaw Express high-speed, four-passenger chairlift.

Whistler Blackcomb

Skiers and riders who venture north to British Columbia can ride the newly upgraded Fitzsimmons Express at Whistler Blackcomb. The new (and rare) eight-passenger chairlift replaces an existing four-seater, which is projected to increase uphill capacity by 73 percent and reduce wait times at the base of Whistler Mountain.

Off the slopes, Whistler is also welcoming Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa, a new 12,000-square-foot private retreat. Available for total buyouts only, the property can accommodate up to 20 adults and six children, which makes it ideal for a family reunion or group getaway. During their stay, guests have access to private spa facilities, an executive chef, a driver piloting a 14-person passenger van, a fully stocked pantry and other perks.

Winter Park Resort

Colorado’s Winter Park Resort has a new, high-speed, six-person chairlift called the Wild Spur Express. The speedy lift can transport 2,800 skiers and snowboarders each hour, providing access to the resort’s Vasquez Ridge terrain in less than 7 minutes. This winter, travelers should also keep an eye out for various pop-up dining experiences across the resort and visit the new Sundog Tap Room, which features more than 30 self-serve taps of Colorado craft beer.

Park City Mountain Resort

Park City is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, with fireworks, live music and other events scheduled for Feb. 9-11. Skiers may also notice something different while riding the ski area’s Red Pine Gondola: new cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Mount St. Louis Moonstone

Ontario’s Mount St. Louis Moonstone may be small, with just 180 acres of skiable terrain, but the resort just unveiled one of the first eight-person chairlifts in Canada. Called Adventure 8, the new lift features heated seats and can transport up to 4,250 people per hour.

Big White Ski Resort

This winter marks 60 years of British Columbia’s Big White Ski Resort, with festivities planned throughout the season. The ski area is also opening a new day spa at Stonebridge Lodge and making some equipment and infrastructure upgrades.

Hotel room, The Carlin, Breckenridge, Breckenridge hotel

Breckenridge Ski Resort

Breck upgraded its existing 5-Chair to a new, high-speed four-seater called the Five SuperChair. For beginners, the Colorado resort also created a new dedicated learning area at its Peak 8 base area.

In February, it will host for the first time the USA Triathlon Winter Triathlon National Championships. Called the "Breckebeiner," this race involves running, cycling and cross-country skiing.

After a day of shredding the slopes, skiers and riders can rest up at The Carlin, a new “restaurant with rooms” that opened in downtown Breckenridge over the summer. The property—which draws inspiration from European inns—features four rooms, a full-service restaurant and a subterranean tavern.

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