Industry News
Winter Park Town Council has unanimously approved to rezone 165 acres of Winter Park Resort for mixed-use resort development and to construct a long-anticipated gondola connecting downtown Winter Park to the resort’s base area, reports the Sky-Hi News. At its June 3 meeting, the council gave the green light to the $2 billion master plan, a significant milestone in transforming the region into one of Colorado’s largest and top year-round destinations.
The council’s ordinance rezones the base area as a Destination Center district with a Planned Development overlay, paving the way for 2,950 new residential units, 250,000 square feet of commercial space, hotels, public roads, trails, and expanded open space. The plan, developed in partnership with Alterra Mountain Company—the operator of Winter Park Resort (the City of Denver owns the resort)—follows over a year of negotiations and public input.
Central to the agreement is the formation of a Regional Infrastructure Cooperation Agreement (RICA), which brings together the town, Alterra, and local metropolitan districts to coordinate funding and construction of new public transit infrastructure. The first major project under RICA will be the town-to-resort gondola, designed to streamline access for visitors and locals while easing traffic and parking pressures. Alterra Mountain Company will finance the gondola, which is slated to become a signature feature of the renewed base area. The ten-person gondola will be nearly two miles long from Cooper Creek Square in downtown Winter Park.
Connectivity
A key piece of Winter Park Resort’s and the Town’s redevelopment plans is connectivity. The resort’s Base Area PDP and the USFS MDP both envision how to better connect Winter Park Resort to the Town of Winter Park and to other communities along the Front Range and across Colorado’s northern mountains. Public and private transit plans include:
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- The aerial transit system (Town Gondola) that connects the Town up to the mountain and the Discovery Park area, and down to the resort base area.
- Mountain passenger rail service in partnership with public and private agencies, including CDOT and municipalities from Denver and Arvada, to Steamboat and Craig.
- A new ski-back trail that further connects the resort to the Town.
- Enhanced access to public trails and open space.
The development package also addresses longstanding concerns about workforce housing. The council secured a commitment from Alterra to dedicate three parcels of land for affordable housing, aiming to support resort employees and sustain the local community.
The gondola, along with a new ski-back trail, is expected to expand transit options and enhance the guest experience across all seasons.
Construction on the gondola and initial phases of the base area redevelopment could begin as early as summer 2026, pending final approvals and permits. The project’s phased approach will allow for ongoing public input and careful integration with the town’s comprehensive plan.
Winter Park Resort’s master plan extends far beyond the proposed gondola, outlining a comprehensive vision to transform the base area and surrounding mountain into a year-round destination. Key projects include the development of new residential and commercial spaces, hotels, expanded retail and dining options, and improvements to public spaces, such as parks, plazas, and gathering areas, designed to foster a lively community atmosphere.
A major expansion includes a new area on Vasquez Mountain, increasing skiable terrain by 358 to 3,439 acres. This expansion will position Winter Park as the third-largest ski area in Colorado, following Vail and Steamboat. The plan also introduces several new chairlifts, such as a t-bar providing access to the Cirque from the new Vasquez area and additional chairs in the new area. The resort plans to replace the aging Looking Glass, Pony, and Iron Horse lifts with modern six-pack chairs and an eight-person gondola.
Mountain Master Development Plan (USFS MDP)
Winter Park Resort is well-known for its diverse terrain across more than 3,095 acres. On-mountain plans are intended to enhance current terrain, improve connectivity, and expand intermediate terrain to meet guest needs. The USFS MDP as submitted in 2022 includes plans that:
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- Reimagine and redesign our learning area with new lifts and access points, and an on-mountain day lodge for new skiers and riders to have an indoors home-base.
- Include additional snow-making upgrades to help ensure we can open more early-season terrain.
- Improve and upgrade existing on-mountain restaurants and day lodges to better serve guests.
- Expand Vasquez Ridge terrain, including a new dining option at the top of the Wild Spur Express Lift.
The master plan also aims to increase skier capacity by 41%, from 15,830 to 22,375, and expand snowmaking capabilities from 280 to 605 acres. The Sunspot and Snoasis on-mountain dining facilities will undergo remodeling to enhance guest experiences. In addition to winter operations, the resort plans to introduce new summer activities, including hiking and biking trails, to offer year-round recreational opportunities.
Infrastructure upgrades are central to the plan, with enhancements to roads, parking, and public transit aimed at improving access and reducing congestion. The resort is also prioritizing sustainability and recreation, proposing new trail networks for hiking and biking, expanded ski terrain, and modernized lift systems. Workforce housing is another major component, as the plan dedicates land and resources to support affordable housing for employees, helping to ensure the long-term vitality of both the resort and the local community.
- Related: Winter Park Resort, CO, Offers Update on Masterplan That Includes Gondola Connecting Resort to Town
For more details on the rezoning, gondola project, and upcoming public meetings, residents can review the full council minutes and planning documents on the town’s official website.
Offering one of the longest ski seasons in Colorado, Winter Park Resort saw 384″ of snow last season and stayed open into May.
