Alterra investing in upgrades to Deer Valley, other resorts

Deer Valley's base area. Photo: D. Ramey Logan

DENVER, Colo. — Alterra Mountain Company announces its plans to invest $207 million in capital improvements for the upcoming year, including transformational base area and on-mountain developments at Steamboat, Deer Valley Resort, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows and Mammoth Mountain.

The investments will focus on four major destination developments and a commitment to technology infrastructure and advancement. Plans include $111M in significant resort projects, $31M in enterprise technology systems, and $65M in resort maintenance and planning to continue to support the company’s commitment to enhance the guest experience.

Specifics of the major projects:

Deer Valley Resort, Utah: Snow Park

The Snow Park Lodge and base area will see a complete revision to create a premier base area experience for guests. The new base area will provide additional accommodations and skier services, new contemporary food and beverage and après options, and an additional ski beach and upgraded mountain transportation network.

Snow Park will feature architecture and design inspired by the mountains, allowing the natural setting to flow through the new plaza, offering an array of activities and mountain views. A new expansive ski beach will offer a place for more guests to watch skiers and take in the sunset as they enjoy the après scene.

A new integrated transportation and mobility hub with multiple access points from new parking facilities “will dramatically improve the current guest arrival and mountain access experience,” according to Alterra.

Pending local government review and approval, Snow Park is projected to break ground in 2022.

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, California: Base-to-Base Gondola

The state-of-the-art Base-to-Base Gondola (B2B) will commence construction this summer. This connection will take skiers and riders between the Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows bases in approximately 16 minutes (it’s currently a seven-mile drive). Uniting Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows has been a priority for quite sometime. The B2B will be one of the most impactful lifts in North America with 8-passenger cabins and the capacity to move 1,400 people per hour between resort base areas. The B2B will offer access to 6,000 acres of skiing and riding for all skill levels on one  ride, with 360-degree views.

The project includes two main terminals, two mid-stations and additional base area improvements targeted to enhance the guest experience.

Mammoth Mountain, California: Main Lodge Redevelopment

The new vision for Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge area builds upon the Mammoth legacy, rooted in the history and setting of the mountain, the town, and surrounding Eastern Sierra to curate a lively new year-round gateway for those passionate about mountain adventure.

The Main Lodge redevelopment multi-year plan will create the “Base Camp to the Eastern Sierra,” providing the world’s best ski beach, state-of-the-art services, Adventure Concierge Center, dining and retail experiences, luxury lodging and residential ownership options.

This plan is in the permitting phase and scheduled to begin construction in spring 2023.

Steamboat, Colorado: Gondola Square Redesign & Pioneer Ridge Terrain Expansion

Steamboat will embark on a three-year, $135M base area redevelopment and on-mountain terrain expansion to reinvent a premier guest experience to match the destination’s long recognized industry excellence.

Steamboat’s Gondola Square will be transformed into a multi-use plaza creating a destination core, with dining and après, retail, entertainment and welcoming gathering places for guests to enjoy year-round. A reimagined arrival experience will eliminate cumbersome stairs and provide direct and easy access to the mountain.

Phase I of the redeveloped plaza is expected to break ground following the destination’s close of the 20/21 winter season. This phase will bring immediate improvements to the guest arrival and circulation and will clear the way for enhancements expected to be completed by the start of the 22/23 winter season.

On-mountain improvements slated for the 21/22 season, (pending approvals), include 650 new acres of advanced/expert skiable terrain in Pioneer Ridge. The new area will also include a teaching area and the first leg of the new Big Blue gondola, providing gondola access to the newly re-developed Bashor teaching area. Steamboat’s trail map will expand by nearly 20 percent for a total of 3,620 acres, making Steamboat the second largest ski area in Colorado.