Steamboat Resort is set to redefine its landscape for advanced skiers and snowboarders with the highly anticipated Pioneer Ridge lift. Visible even from afar with its freshly carved path through snow-covered terrain, this new lift promises to unlock over 650 acres of expert-level skiing within the resort’s expanded operational boundaries for the 2023-24 season. This development marks a significant step in the resort’s ongoing evolution and its commitment to offering world-class skiing experiences.
The realization of the Pioneer Ridge lift is a testament to the collaborative relationship between Steamboat Resort and the Routt National Forest. Working in tandem, officials from both entities have navigated the necessary approvals and continue to cooperate closely as the lift installation progresses. This partnership is not new; Steamboat Resort operates largely on U.S. Forest Service land, making such collaboration essential for any expansion or improvement project.
Michael Woodbridge, district ranger for the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, highlighted the intensified collaboration since the inception of the $200 million Full Steam Ahead capital improvement project. Weekly meetings between resort and Forest Service officials ensure smooth progress and mutual success.
During a Routt Recreation and Conservations Roundtable meeting on February 9th, Woodbridge provided updates on the Pioneer Ridge lift, addressing a recent request from Steamboat Resort to slightly relocate the lift’s base terminal closer to Burgess Creek. This adjustment, though not part of the original 2018 environmental impact statement, was agreed upon in December to optimize skier access and egress.
Following detailed engineering and design reviews, Steamboat Resort proposed shifting the bottom terminal to enhance the flow of skiers. This modification led to the inclusion of watershed health mitigation measures in a supplemental information report. These measures include a retaining wall and a sediment capture pond at the base terminal, designed to protect Burgess Creek and its sensitive ecosystem.
“That’s getting close to the creek, and the resource specialists have concerns about getting into that area,” Woodbridge explained, emphasizing the importance of Burgess Creek as habitat for a native cutthroat trout restoration project. The environmental sensitivity of the area necessitates careful planning and execution of the lift installation.
Pioneer Ridge lift alignment and projected new runs as shown by SE Group for the U.S. Forest Service.
Despite the shift in the base terminal location, the overall grading footprint for the terminals is now planned at approximately 1.5 acres, which is less than initially approved in 2018. Furthermore, the bridge over Burgess Creek will be situated in a slightly altered location. Crucially, the approved alignment for the Pioneer Ridge lift itself remains unchanged, its path already distinctly visible through the trees from various vantage points around Steamboat Springs. Consistent with the 2018 Environmental Impact Statement, the lift is slated to be 6,450 feet in length, capable of transporting 1,800 skiers per hour.
The U.S. Forest Service’s comprehensive environmental studies conducted in 2018 and 2021 paved the way for the expansion, providing guidelines for opening 650 acres of in-bounds terrain encompassing the 355-acre Pioneer Ridge and the 295-acre Fish Creek Canyon areas. While these areas have been within the resort’s special-use permit boundary, the 2023-24 season will mark their integration into Steamboat Resort’s operational terrain. Details of these studies can be accessed at FS.USDA.gov/project/?project=58336.
Woodbridge emphasized that the adjustments to the Pioneer Ridge lift project exemplify the dynamic planning and management required as Steamboat Resort’s ambitious projects unfold. The meticulous planning aims to minimize any disruptions to the public and impacts on the National Forest land. Currently, the Forest Service is finalizing a “project review letter” that summarizes key guidelines from the extensive environmental impact statement and assessment documents.
Weekly meetings between the resort and Forest Service address a wide spectrum of operational details, from drainage management strategies and optimal tower staging locations to modifications in snow-making infrastructure. Steamboat Resort is also on track to submit its summer operating plan to the Forest Service by April 30th, ensuring all aspects of the resort’s operations are aligned with environmental and regulatory requirements.
Expert skiers familiar with Steamboat’s terrain note that the Pioneer Ridge area shares similarities with the existing Pony Express terrain. Adjacent to the Pioneer Ridge expansion lies Fish Creek Canyon, an area long debated for in-bounds access. The opening of Fish Creek Canyon, in conjunction with Pioneer Ridge, is poised to establish Steamboat Resort as the second-largest ski resort in Colorado, a significant jump from its current fifth-largest ranking. This expansion underscores Steamboat’s commitment to becoming a premier destination for expert skiers and snowboarders globally, complementing its renowned intermediate terrain.
February 2021 map by SE Group for the U.S. Forest Service showing the 295-acre Fish Creek Canyon addition planned for in-bounds terrain at Steamboat Resort.
However, the prospect of opening Fish Creek Canyon has sparked mixed reactions within the local community. At a State of the Snowpack event in January, backcountry enthusiasts voiced concerns about losing access to a cherished “sidecountry” area. Kent Vertrees, “master of chaos” at Steamboat Powdercats, acknowledged the sentiment, noting Fish Creek Canyon’s long-standing appeal as a refuge for powder seekers desiring a backcountry experience with lift access. Opening this terrain, while expanding opportunities, presents a shift for those accustomed to its out-of-bounds character.
Currently, advanced skiers access the 650-acre out-of-bounds terrain via resort gates, often near the Pony Express lift. From there, skiers typically navigate towards in-bounds runs like Outlaw or BC Ski Way, often requiring some uphill travel. The trend in major ski resorts like Aspen, Telluride, and Jackson Hole towards incorporating sidecountry areas into resort boundaries suggests a broader industry shift, though Vertrees recognizes the complexity of the issue.
Vertrees also points out the management challenges associated with Fish Creek Canyon, citing significant terrain hazards such as cliff bands and the increased skier traffic. He emphasizes that even as an experienced skier with decades of Steamboat experience, he approaches Fish Creek Canyon with caution and always with someone familiar with the area. Managing avalanche risks and ensuring skier safety in this expert terrain will be crucial for Steamboat Resort.
Steamboat Resort Communications Manager Maren Franciosi confirmed that detailed management plans for Pioneer Ridge and Fish Creek terrain are under development, with more information expected to be released this summer. She directed interested individuals to the Steamboat Resort 2019 Master Development Plan Amendments, available at SkiMap.org/data/500/3100/1593461046.pdf, for further insights into the resort’s expansion strategy.
The master plan highlights the rationale behind the expansion, noting that almost 1.1 million guests visited Steamboat Resort in the 2018-19 season. Upgrades outlined in the plan aim to increase the resort’s comfortable daily carrying capacity from 13,050 to 16,310 guests, reflecting the growing demand and the resort’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience.
Jay Bowman of Routt County Search and Rescue brings a critical perspective on safety. His team responds to approximately three rescue calls annually in the Fish Creek Canyon area, often for skiers who have exited resort gates and become lost or injured. Bowman expresses concern about increased incidents with the area becoming in-bounds, emphasizing the challenging terrain and limited mechanized access for rescue operations.
Bowman and Vertrees concur on the need for enhanced education, awareness, and clear signage to manage access to the expert terrain effectively. Bowman advises skiers to “know before you go,” strongly recommending against venturing into Fish Creek Canyon alone or without expert guidance. Tools like guided access or gated entry systems used at other resorts could be considered to manage access and ensure skier safety.
In conclusion, the Pioneer Ridge lift and the incorporation of Fish Creek Canyon into Steamboat Resort represent a significant expansion, promising to elevate Steamboat’s status as a top-tier destination for expert skiers and snowboarders. While community discussions around access and safety continue, Steamboat Resort and the U.S. Forest Service are working diligently to ensure a responsible and well-managed expansion that benefits both recreation enthusiasts and the environment. The 2023-24 ski season will mark an exciting new chapter for Steamboat Springs and its world-class ski resort.
