Ushering in a new era: Sunlight Mountain Resort new lift construction project is ‘on track’

As Labor Day nears and cooler mornings settle in, anticipation is building for powder days at Sunlight Mountain Resort.

For the first time in more than 50 years, the familiar two-seat Segundo chairlift will not greet skiers on opening day of the 2025-26 season.

Backed by years of planning and petitioning, the construction project is “right on schedule,” according to officials — and Sunlight Mountain Resort is ready to usher in a new era.

The project to replace the aging Segundo and Primo chairlifts, along with several improvements to the mountain, is nearly three-quarters complete, according to project foreman Ross Terry.

“Everything is looking real good,” he said. “We’re pretty much right on schedule. Most of the concrete is poured for Segundo and Primo, and after that we will put in the steel. November 27 is our scheduled completion date, weather dependent of course.”

The Segundo lift will be replaced by a triple-chair formerly used at Arapahoe Basin. Primo will be replaced by a new quad lift with safety bars and footrests, which is expected to increase capacity and shorten lines.

“I’m so stoked to see this project develop,” Sunlight Mountain Resort Director of Business Travis Baptiste said. “I think that the subject of new lifts has been sort of a tease to the community for a number of years, so to be able to actually get the project underway — and to watch it progress every day — is really cool.”

Both lifts will retain their original name to honor the tradition of the local mountain.

Terry said the work has gone smoother than expected.

“You always run into a few things here and there, but for the most part, the project has been going incredibly smooth.”

Baptiste reiterated the sentiment of Terry, and showered the entire construction crew with praise for the relative ease of the project. 

“We all know how construction works,” Baptiste said. “There is an expectation that it will be delayed and have a lot of problems, but this hasn’t felt like that at all. It feels on time, efficient, and there is a sense of urgency from all parties involved. 

“The efficiency of the mountain operation teams is blowing our minds,” he continued. “The part that has impressed us the most is when the towers are scheduled to go up and we have flight time with the helicopters, every team member is in place and ready to rock. There is never downtime or fumbling.”

The project follows a yearlong celebration of the Segundo lift, the oldest operating chairlift in Colorado before it was retired. Built in the 1950s to serve Aspen, it was relocated to Sunlight in 1974.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Terry said. “It is sad to see these chairs go with so much history, but the chance to bring in new technology and a new age to Sunlight is very cool.”

Sunlight has set its opening day for Dec. 12, but Baptiste said the resort will again aim for an earlier start if conditions allow.

“What we always do, snow dependent, is try to open for Thanksgiving weekend,” he said. “We never go into the season without reaching for that goal, but Dec. 12 is our set goal for opening day this season.”