Resort Expansions for the 25 - 26 Season

On top of obsessively tracking new airline routes (which you can read about here), we also keep a close eye on resort expansions.

The past few years have brought some massive additions.

From Hero Bowl in Aspen, to Steamboat’s huge transformation, an even just lift upgrades like the Barker 6 at Sunday River we’ve been seeing serious growth at some of the country’s top mountains. 

And in 2025–2026, the trend isn't slowing down. 

So without further ado, here are the four largest projects coming this season, along with everything else the ski powers-that-be have planned.

1. Deer Valley, Utah 

This is the single largest expansion happening in North America this season. Honestly, it might be the biggest in North America in (my 25 year old) memory.

Deer Valley is opening the first phase of its massive 3,700-acre terrain addition, which effectively doubles the size of the resort (when the entire expansion is done, the resort will literally be more than double its initial size). The expansion includes 10 new lifts, around 100 new runs, and the new East Village base area. 

The terrain mix will lean heavily into intermediate and advanced skiing, with wide cruisers, bowls, and tree runs that connect seamlessly into existing Deer Valley zones.

Deer Valley is going to become one of the biggest resorts in the United States. Odds they’ll finally open up to snowboarders? 

2. Monarch Mountain, Colorado

After years of planning, Monarch is debuting the "No Name" expansion, adding 377 acres of brand-new terrain on the mountain’s backside. Skiers can expect about 10–12 named runs, roughly 1,000 vertical feet of descent, and a brand new lift to service the area. 

The terrain is primarily advanced and expert, with glades, bowls, and natural features Monarch is known for. 

So for those of you looking for a new mountain name to drop in the group chat, this could be the spot. 

3. Powder Mountain, Utah

Powder Mountain, famously owned by Netflix’s co-founder Reed Hastings, is adding over 1,000 acres of advanced terrain between Wolf Canyon and Lightning Ridge. 

This new expansion will be supported by three new lifts, opening steep chutes, glades, and ridge-lines that were previously hike-to only (huge for us out of shape folks).

The expansion strengthens Powder Mountain’s reputation as a powder paradise and gives the mountain an even stronger case for being your ski group-chats next trip. 

4. Snowmass, ColoradoSnowmass continues to reinvest heavily, and this season the highlights are a new high-speed six-pack chairlift at Elk Camp and a new T-bar designed to serve advanced skiers heading into powder stashes and sidecountry-style zones. 

In terms of acreage, there isn’t much being added, but rather we’re getting some much easier access into what's already there.

Other acre-based additions include: 

Sundance, UT – 165 acres of new bowls, chutes, and glades with the new Electric Horseman Express high-speed quad. ~1,850 ft vertical.

Purgatory, CO – ~150+ acres with five new runs expanding advanced and expert terrain, served by the new Gelande triple.

Sunlight Mountain, CO – 75 acres of new intermediate terrain, opened by the new Primo quad.

Lee Canyon, NV – 80+ acres of new novice and intermediate terrain in West Bowl, with snowmaking upgrades.

Brian Head, UT – Terrain expansion and access improvements as part of MCP’s $15M investment (acreage not specified).

New lifts are coming as well: 

Big Sky, MT – Explorer double replaced with a 10-passenger two-stage gondola linking Explorer and Swift Current terrain. (This is massive. Like so massive. Arguably a better addition than when they added the new Peak Tram).

Loveland, CO – New Lift 7 (four-person) plus beginner terrain enhancements at Loveland Valley.

White Pass, WA – Old Chair 4 replaced with a modern quad for reliability and improved access.

Killington, VT – Superstar Quad replaced with the new Superstar Express six-pack, boosting capacity for high-traffic terrain and World Cup events.

Loon Mountain, NH – New pulse gondola connecting South Peak and the main base, improving circulation across the resort.

Wachusett, MA – Polar Express quad replaced with a high-speed six-pack.

Whiteface, NY – New Little Whiteface fixed-grip double to improve circulation.

Gore Mountain, NY – New Topridge quad increasing uphill capacity on popular terrain.

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Resorts are clearly re-investing big time and I am all for it. Personally, I think some of these East Coast mountains are due for facelifts.

Imagine some nicer accommodations outside of Just Stowe? Would be sweet.  

I do wonder if theres a chance we see a new resort pop-up. The sport is booming, I can imagine an investment being made. 

But if the powerhouses keep opening up new fun stuff, you wont find me complaining. 

Happy exploring and see you on the slopes.

Cheers,

Shai

P.S. If I missed an expansion or new lift, tell me!