Beaver Creek Resort announced that it intends to upgrade Drink of Water Lift (#5) from a two-person fixed grip to a new high-speed quad to debut as Red Buffalo Express (#5) during the 2017-2018 winter season. The new Red Buffalo Express will be named after the signature, beginner Red Buffalo trail, which provides incredible views of the Gore Range and is named after two signature peaks of the Gore Range, the Red peak and Buffalo peak.
The new lift will reduce ride time by 50 percent, from 8.6 minutes to 4.3 minutes, and will increase uphill capacity by 75 percent. With the upgrade, all primary lifts on Beaver Creek will be high-speed. This plan is subject to U.S. Forest Service approval.
“Upgrading this essential beginner lift will provide high-speed lift access to the amazing beginner and intermediate terrain at the top of Beaver Creek, increasing capacity and making for a seamless lift experience for our guests on the hill,” said Beth Howard, chief operating officer of Beaver Creek Resort.
“We expect this improvement to take significant volume off Cinch Express, Beaver Creek’s second most-popular lift, and it really is an improvement befitting of Beaver Creek’s luxury, family experience, as it enhances a key beginner and family area of our mountain.”
Vail Resorts continues to raise the bar for skiers and riders as the Company invested approximately $100 million in the guest experience for this current winter season across its resorts, bringing its five-year, industry-leading resort investment total to more than $500 million across the Company.
The most significant recent improvements included the upgrade of Sun Up Express (#9) at Vail, a new restaurant on Peak 7 at Breckenridge, significant renovations to the guest rooms of The Pines Lodge, A RockResort at Beaver Creek, and $13 million to completely re-imagine the guest experience at Wilmot Mountain, located near Chicago, Ill.
Plans for capital improvements at Beaver Creek Resort are subject to U.S. Forest Service approval. Additional details on the design and approval of these proposed improvements will be available in the coming months.