Breckenridge Home To The Highest Chairlift In North America

For years Loveland ski resort held the record for the “highest chairlift access” in North America with their chair number nine which whisks skiers past 12,600 vertical feet high above the tree line. However in early spring this year Breckenridge opened a brand new high speed quad that now holds that title. The new chair gives access to some incredible terrain for skiers with nerves of steel.

Prior to the new chair snowboarders and skiers had a 45 minute hike after riding a t-bar if they wanted to enjoy Imperial bowl and the surrounding cutes, now however skiers and boarders are at the top in under three minutes. The new lift opens up more than 400 acers of additional terrain and tops out at nearly 13,000 feet (12,8000 to be exact). Breckenridge Freeride Team rider Jeff Meyer said he looks forward to the filming opportunities the new lift provides in the Lake Chutes and other nearby extreme terrain.

“Now it’s easier. Before you couldn’t really hike up there with a camera guy and a video guy because it was just too much work, so if we can run laps through that area, then maybe we can get some good footage,” said Meyer, a nine-year Breck resident.

The resort began mulling over a new lift in the area in 2001, when the White River National Forest was updating its forest plan. After several years of gaining the proper permits and fighting oppostion to build in the delicate high alpine environment, construction began in early August.The logistics were difficult because of access, and all the major components for the lift had to be flown in by helicopter.

With the addition of the new Imperial chair Breck has also created an “extreme” skier and rider school for those looking for a little help in extreme terrain which includes the double black diamond runs and bowls of Breckenridge.

Posted in Colorado Ski Resorts