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<\/p>\nIt\u2019s been years in the making, but Steamboat Ski Area is finally getting a major facelift. Last summer, the first phases of the 10-year master plan broke ground, kicking off $135 million in major resort improvements to take place over the next two years. \u201cWe are zeroing in on wrapping up the first phase of our \u201cFull Steam Ahead project,\u201d says Maren Franciosi, Communications Manager for Steamboat Mountain Resort. \u201cThe work that was completed this summer will make way for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project broke ground last April when the gondola and snow sports school buildings were demolished to make way for an apr\u00e8s ski plaza, new restaurants and bars, a new ski beach and ice rink, and an improved arrival experience. \u201cThis summer, we officially broke ground on the project, just after the resort closed for the season. Two large buildings were demolished in former gondola square, the gondola building and the snow sports building. That\u2019s the first thing people will notice.\u201d Franciosi says. The lower terminal of the gondola was moved 300 feet up the slope for a better on-slope location. \u201cRather than being housed inside a building, it\u2019s now a freestanding terminal. Queuing will happen on-slope rather than in the square,\u201d Franciosi says. The gondola will still run to Thunderhead Lodge. The base area and plaza itself were renamed \u201cSteamboat Square\u201d and will be totally reconfigured for the new master plan.<\/p>\n
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The arrival experience is a huge focus in this phase, Franciosi says. \u201cThere was never a clear main entrance. We wanted to eliminate the cumbersome stairs and maze of buildings people had to wrap around and designate a clear main entrance. Now there is quite a bit of space that has opened up that will accommodate a clear main entrance with an escalator to bring the guests directly into Steamboat Square.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The next phase of construction will include additional buildings for restaurants and retail in the square. Construction will also begin next summer for the highly anticipated Wild Blue Gondola. The new 10-person gondola will be the longest in North America. The first phase will take skiers from the base to Greenhorn Ranch, a new dedicated learning area for beginners that will be constructed in the Bashor Bowl area. \u201cThe work done this summer was to get that area ready for construction next summer,\u201d Franciosi says. In its first phase, the new gondola will increase skier capacity from 6,000 (with the current gondola and Christy lift) to 10,000. \u201cEventually the second leg of the gondola will run from Greenhorn Ranch up to Sunshine Peak, expected to open winter 2023\/24,\u201d Franciosi says.<\/p>\n
Off the slopes, the Steamboat Corporation is proud to announce its biggest wage increase in history, as well as the opening of an employee childcare center. \u201cWe\u2019re really working on a lot of employee-focused initiatives,\u201d Franciosi says. \u201cThat\u2019s one way we can approach sustainability, in sustaining our team and keeping people here working for us.\u201d The company is also committed to going plastic-free at the resort this year and was one of the first Alterra resorts to hire a sustainability director, Sarah Jones.<\/p>\n
Overall, things are looking up, or full steam ahead. It\u2019s been a long time coming, Franciosi says. \u201cWe\u2019re finally getting that facelift that will live up to our reputation as a world-class resort.\u201d<\/p>\n