Alterra Mountain Company announced plans to invest $223 million in capital improvements across its 15 North American mountain destinations for the upcoming year. For Steamboat that includes 355 acres of new terrain in the Pioneer Ridge area, upgrades to snowmaking and snowcat fleets, a remodel of Hazie’s restaurant and enhancements at the resort’s employee housing location The Ponds, all with a focus on sustainability.

Pioneer Ridge Expansion

For the first time in more than 20 years, Steamboat will make an additional 355 acres of terrain accessible when the resort boundary extends into the Pioneer Ridge area, north of resort’s current boundary. Pioneer Ridge will feature advanced/expert, mostly aspen, lodge pole pine and spruce tree terrain with 1800 vertical feet, accessible via the Pony Express lift. Twenty-five new chairs will be added to the line of Pony Express lift, increasing lift capacity from 1200 people per hour to 1800. Additionally, a new Ski Patrol duty station will replace the existing yurt, providing easy access for resort resources to the area, and a new access road will provide a hike out return to Pony Express, or guests may hike back up to BC Ski Way to return to the resort. The expansion increases Steamboats acreage to 3,320 acres, a 12 percent increase in total skiable acres, making Steamboat the third largest resort in Colorado. 

“Pioneer Ridge is a game changer for Steamboat,” said Rob Perlman, president and chief operating officer for Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “While we have always been known as an intermediate paradise, this expansion will provide the Champagne Powder® snow we are known for in more steep, advance/expert terrain, meeting a need long expressed by our locals and our visiting guests. Some of our dedicated locals have been getting fresh tracks in this area for years. By bringing it in to the resort’s boundary we can offer Patrol services in the area, creating a safer experience.”

This expansion is a part of the resort’s 2011 Master Plan and since 2016 the SSRC has been working through an EIS, receiving final Record of Decision and project approval from the US Forest Service-Routt National Forest in September 2018. Work is expected to begin in the Pioneer Ridge area after the resort closes in mid-April.

Hazie’s Restaurant

Named for the matriarch of the Werner family, Hazie’s restaurant at the top of the Gondola in Thunderhead Lodge will get a complete makeover for the first time since opening in 1986. Upon entering the reimagined restaurant, guests will be greeted with ski/snowboard boot check, so they can relax in comfort while they dine.  Capitalizing on the incredible views of the Yampa Valley and the town of Steamboat, the newly designed Hazie’s will feature a variety of seating styles, a larger lounge and bar area, a wine cellar featuring an expanded wine list and new lighting and carpet. The menu at Hazie’s will reflect the Werner matriarch’s love of bringing people together by emphasizing gathering with friends and family through food with shared plates, lifestyle cuisine, crafted cocktails, a bar menu and more. For dinner at Hazie’s, the menu shifts from a pre-fixed four course meal to ala carte options, appealing to every diner’s taste.  Hazie’s will continue to utilize locally sourced products when possible, supporting the resort’s sustainability efforts.  

On Mountain Operations Upgrades

Snowmaking:  Steel snowmaking pipelines on Lower Valley View trail will be replaced with the most efficient and resilient product on the market, Ductile pipe. This will increase the resort’s available hydrants by 25 percent allowing more coverage on snowmaking trails in less time.

Snowcats/snowmobile fleet: Steamboat continues to upgrade its grooming fleet with the addition of three new Prinoth snow groomers, a Bison and two Beasts.  The Prinoth Bison is a versatile snowcat that combines optical maneuverability with low fuel consumption and is the most popular park vehicle around. The Prinoth Beast, the world’s largest snow groomer, outperforms all other snow groomers with a 40 percent larger grooming capacity. The new machines replace one previous groomer and add two new ones to the resort’s fleet, allowing crews to groom additional terrain and tackle the resort’s most popular groomed trains with the highest quality of corduroy.