Steamboat Ski Resort Corp. Plans To Revamp Gondola Square and Base Area

When the snow starts melting next month, the Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. plans to break ground on the first of many improvements within the Mountain Master Development Plan. For over a decade, plans have been afoot to revamp Gondola Square and the base area, which has gone relatively untouched for years. When Alterra Mountain Company purchased the Resort in 2017, they committed to enhancing the area. The parent company included Steamboat in a $223M capital investment pledge to all of its 15 North American ski resorts.

Alterra Mountain Co., Recognizes The Importance Of Investing In, And Reimagining, The Future Of Steamboat Ski Resort

Last month, they unveiled plans for a major plaza upgrade and submitted a permit proposal to the city to move the existing gondola terminal uphill by 300 feet making space for upcoming developments.“The reimagined plaza, in combination with exciting on-mountain projects, solves long overdue needs for Steamboat’s base area,” said Rob Perlman, President and COO of Steamboat Resort. “We are thrilled that our parent company, Alterra Mountain Co., recognizes the importance of investing in, and reimagining, the future of Steamboat Ski Resort and supports this incredible multi-year investment.”

Lead Developer East West Partners Finalize Plans

Plans for the plaza continue to be finalized by lead developer East West Partners, but discussions have included an outdoor ice rink, entertainment venue, retail shops, hundreds of hotel rooms and approximately 400 luxury condo units. East West recently re-developed the base at Snowmass and it’s expected that Steamboat will have many similarities.

Steamboat Terrain Expansion Will Make Steamboat 2nd Largest Ski Area In Colorado

The relocation of the gondola terminal is part of an overarching goal to make Steamboat the second largest ski area in Colorado. Plans are in the works to increase the skiable terrain by 650 acres. To date, 355 acres has been approved in the Fish Creek Falls/Pioneer Ridge area. The proposed 3.16-mile, 8-person gondola, coined ‘Wild Blue’ will take guests to the top of Sunshine Peak, with a mid-station stop at Bashor Bowl. This will increase out-of-base capacity from 6,000 people per hour to 10,000 people per hour. As the 20/21 Ski Season edges towards closing, Steamboat Resort has weathered a year of great uncertainty. The recent announcement of impending improvements signifies a positive outlook for the future.