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The Ultimate Guide to What's New at Ski Areas in 2013-2014

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Drumroll please: Curbed Ski brings you the ultimate guide to what's new at ski resorts throughout North America. Whether you ski back east, in the Rockies, or in the northwest, this handy map provides an easy guide to see which resorts made the biggest changes in the off season. From the Big Sky/Moonlight Basin merger to Breckenridge's Peak 6 expansion, or even Waterville Valley Resort's 40 new acres, 23 ski areas are upping the ante in 2013-2014. Did we miss something? Drop a line in the comments or send us an email to ski@curbed.com


· Resorts Revamp for 2013/2014 [Snowboard Magazine] · Pacific Northwest ski areas make off-season upgrades; Mt. Hood Meadows targets beginners [The Oregonian]

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Sugarloaf Mountain

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Sugarloaf has added 7 acres of steep terrain on the mountain's backside for expert riders this season. Skiers can expect a backcountry access gate, but the terrain is no longer out of bounds. Opening day is November 22. Photo from Sugarloaf Mountain

Sunday River Ski Resort

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Sunday River Resort is now the second largest ski area in New England (only Sugarloaf is bigger). This is thanks to a 75 acre addition that includes 5 new double black diamond glades and a new 15 acre terrain park called T72. Projected opening day is November 6. Photo from Sunday River Resort

Waterville Valley Resort

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In its first major expansion in over 30 years, Waterville Valley is adding 40 acres of trails, 12 acres of glades, and a new high speed quad. Opens November 23. Photo from Waterville Valley

Stowe Mountain Resort

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Stowe Mountain Resort is also upgrading their snowmaking equipment, including 120 new tower guns, 4 Super Pole Cat fan guns, and miles of snowmaking pipe. Opening day is November 23. Photo from Stowe Mountain Resort

Okemo Mountain Resort

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In Operation Snowburst, Okemo Mountain has invested 225 new snow tower guns. The resort has also teamed up with Killington, Pico, and Mount Sunapee to offer a new season pass, the 4.0 College Pass. Opening day is November 16. Photo from Okemo Mountain Resort

Stratton Mountain Resort

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Stratton skiers can expect three new snowcats, two new ski trails, and a new double black glade called the Squirrel's Nest. Opening day is November 27. Photo from Stratton Mountain Resort

Angel Fire Resort

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New Mexico's Angel Fire Resort debuts two new half-mile winter trails this season. Jibbers will also be stoked to ride a new nighttime terrain park called "Powder City." Opening day is December 13. Photo from Angel Fire Resort

Wolf Creek Ski Resort

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Wolf Creek is currently replacing the Treasure Lift with a new Doppelmayr, detachable, high-speed quad. The new lift is called the Treasure Stoke lift and will take only 6 minutes. Opening day is tentatively scheduled for November 8. Photo from Wolf Creek Ski Area

Winter Park Resort

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Winter Park hasn't added new terrain this season, but they are making access much easier. The legendary Cirque Territory offers 1,332 acres of double-black diamond terrain that used to require a 30-45 minute hike. Thanks to a new 48-passenger snow cat, skiers can pay $10 and get unlimited, toasty warm rides all season long. Opening day is November 13. Photo from My Colorado Life

Arapahoe Basin Mountain

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Skiers will have to wait a few years to ride the new Beavers terrain, but this season A-Basin will debut a remodeled bar at the base of the mountain. Called the Sixth Alley Bar, it will have twenty beers on tap, a new outside deck, and the legendary Bacon Bloody Mary's. The resort is open now. Photo from Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Breckenridge Ski Resort

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In the biggest ski resort expansion North America has seen in more than ten years, Breckenridge adds 543 skiable acres on Peak 6. The peak will include 31 new trails, a high-speed, six-person chairlift, and a new fixed-grip chairlift to access the Peak 6 area. Photo from Breckenridge Ski Resort

Copper Mountain Resort

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As Curbed ski reported earlier, Copper Mountain is adding two new lifts this winter. The Storm King lift will be replaced with a t-bar and Celebrity Ridge will provide easier access from the top of Sierra to the bowls. Opens November 1. Photo from Copper Mountain

Vail Mountain Resort

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Much to the delight of Blue Sky Basin and Back Bowl skiers, Vail has replaced the Mountaintop Express Lift (#4) with a new high speed, six passenger lift. This will increase capacity by 33%. Opening day is November 22. Photo from Vail Mountain Resort

Steamboat Ski Resort

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For the 2013-2014 season, Steamboat Resort has added night skiing off of the Christie Express Lift. The lights should be up and running for the holiday rush. Photo from Steamboat Today.

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

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Snowbird Resort, who joined the Mountain Collective this season, is upgrading the Gad 2 chairlift into a high-speed quad. Skiers can also expect an expansion in cat skiing terrain. Projected opening on November 15. Photo from Snowbird Ski Resort

Bridger Bowl

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Bridger Bowl is adding two new tripple chairs, called the Alpine lift and the Powder Park lift. These lifts will serve intermediate terrain and will triple the resort's capacity to move people uphill. Projected to open December 6. Photo from Bridger Bowl Ski Area

Big Sky Resort

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In one of the biggest announcements of the year, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin have officially joined forces to create the biggest resort in the US. Opens November 28. Photo from Big Sky Resort

Whitefish Mountain Resort

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As the first phase of a two-year project, four new ski runs and a larger base lodge await skiers at Whitefish Mountain Resort this winter. The runs are for intermediate skiers and will be accessible from the Big Foot T-Bar until a new lift is constructed next year. Opening day is December 7. Photo from Whitefish Mountain Resort

Red Mountain Resort

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As Curbed Ski reported earlier, Red Mountain Resort is adding a four person chairlift and almost 1000 acres to make it one of the largest resorts in North America. The Grey Mountain expansion will allow skiers to ski 360 degrees of inbounds, avalanche controlled terrain. Opening day is December 14. Photo from Red Mountain Resort

Whistler Blackcomb

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This ski resort giant has spent $3 million on snowmaking upgrades for the upcoming winter. Skiers can ride the new Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad on Blackcomb and the new Harmony 6 high-speed six pack on Whistler. Opening day is November 28. Photo from Whistler Blackcomb

Stevens Pass Mountain Resort

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Stevens Pass has replaced the Jupiter fixed-grip quad chair with a new high-speed quad, the Jupiter Express. This will reduce to the chairlift ride time to the Mill Valley terrain. Skiers can also expect new gladed terrain in the South Park area and expanded glades in Corona, Pegasus, and Orion. Opening day is November 20. Photo from Stevens Pass Mountain Resort

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort

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Mt. Hood Meadows has repurposed four acres of terrain for beginners transitioning into the intermediate level serviced by the Easy Rider chairlift. Opening day is November 23. Photo from Mt. Hood Meadows

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort

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After investing $20 million in upgrades, Sugar Bowl Resort will offer skiers a new triple chair that will provide access to advanced and expert terrain. They have also spent $12 million on a new campus for the Sugar Bowl Academy. Projected opening on November 17. Photo from Sugar Bowl Resort

Squaw Valley Ski Resort

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With Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley has upgraded their snowmaking system, their grooming fleet, and even acquired new snow cats. Jibbers should also expect new features at both of their terrain parks. Opening day is November 27. Photo from Squaw Valley

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf has added 7 acres of steep terrain on the mountain's backside for expert riders this season. Skiers can expect a backcountry access gate, but the terrain is no longer out of bounds. Opening day is November 22. Photo from Sugarloaf Mountain

Sunday River Ski Resort

Sunday River Resort is now the second largest ski area in New England (only Sugarloaf is bigger). This is thanks to a 75 acre addition that includes 5 new double black diamond glades and a new 15 acre terrain park called T72. Projected opening day is November 6. Photo from Sunday River Resort

Waterville Valley Resort

In its first major expansion in over 30 years, Waterville Valley is adding 40 acres of trails, 12 acres of glades, and a new high speed quad. Opens November 23. Photo from Waterville Valley

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Mountain Resort is also upgrading their snowmaking equipment, including 120 new tower guns, 4 Super Pole Cat fan guns, and miles of snowmaking pipe. Opening day is November 23. Photo from Stowe Mountain Resort

Okemo Mountain Resort

In Operation Snowburst, Okemo Mountain has invested 225 new snow tower guns. The resort has also teamed up with Killington, Pico, and Mount Sunapee to offer a new season pass, the 4.0 College Pass. Opening day is November 16. Photo from Okemo Mountain Resort

Stratton Mountain Resort

Stratton skiers can expect three new snowcats, two new ski trails, and a new double black glade called the Squirrel's Nest. Opening day is November 27. Photo from Stratton Mountain Resort

Angel Fire Resort

New Mexico's Angel Fire Resort debuts two new half-mile winter trails this season. Jibbers will also be stoked to ride a new nighttime terrain park called "Powder City." Opening day is December 13. Photo from Angel Fire Resort

Wolf Creek Ski Resort

Wolf Creek is currently replacing the Treasure Lift with a new Doppelmayr, detachable, high-speed quad. The new lift is called the Treasure Stoke lift and will take only 6 minutes. Opening day is tentatively scheduled for November 8. Photo from Wolf Creek Ski Area

Winter Park Resort

Winter Park hasn't added new terrain this season, but they are making access much easier. The legendary Cirque Territory offers 1,332 acres of double-black diamond terrain that used to require a 30-45 minute hike. Thanks to a new 48-passenger snow cat, skiers can pay $10 and get unlimited, toasty warm rides all season long. Opening day is November 13. Photo from My Colorado Life

Arapahoe Basin Mountain

Skiers will have to wait a few years to ride the new Beavers terrain, but this season A-Basin will debut a remodeled bar at the base of the mountain. Called the Sixth Alley Bar, it will have twenty beers on tap, a new outside deck, and the legendary Bacon Bloody Mary's. The resort is open now. Photo from Arapahoe Basin Ski Area

Breckenridge Ski Resort

In the biggest ski resort expansion North America has seen in more than ten years, Breckenridge adds 543 skiable acres on Peak 6. The peak will include 31 new trails, a high-speed, six-person chairlift, and a new fixed-grip chairlift to access the Peak 6 area. Photo from Breckenridge Ski Resort

Copper Mountain Resort

As Curbed ski reported earlier, Copper Mountain is adding two new lifts this winter. The Storm King lift will be replaced with a t-bar and Celebrity Ridge will provide easier access from the top of Sierra to the bowls. Opens November 1. Photo from Copper Mountain

Vail Mountain Resort

Much to the delight of Blue Sky Basin and Back Bowl skiers, Vail has replaced the Mountaintop Express Lift (#4) with a new high speed, six passenger lift. This will increase capacity by 33%. Opening day is November 22. Photo from Vail Mountain Resort

Steamboat Ski Resort

For the 2013-2014 season, Steamboat Resort has added night skiing off of the Christie Express Lift. The lights should be up and running for the holiday rush. Photo from Steamboat Today.

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

Snowbird Resort, who joined the Mountain Collective this season, is upgrading the Gad 2 chairlift into a high-speed quad. Skiers can also expect an expansion in cat skiing terrain. Projected opening on November 15. Photo from Snowbird Ski Resort

Bridger Bowl

Bridger Bowl is adding two new tripple chairs, called the Alpine lift and the Powder Park lift. These lifts will serve intermediate terrain and will triple the resort's capacity to move people uphill. Projected to open December 6. Photo from Bridger Bowl Ski Area

Big Sky Resort

In one of the biggest announcements of the year, Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin have officially joined forces to create the biggest resort in the US. Opens November 28. Photo from Big Sky Resort

Whitefish Mountain Resort

As the first phase of a two-year project, four new ski runs and a larger base lodge await skiers at Whitefish Mountain Resort this winter. The runs are for intermediate skiers and will be accessible from the Big Foot T-Bar until a new lift is constructed next year. Opening day is December 7. Photo from Whitefish Mountain Resort

Red Mountain Resort

As Curbed Ski reported earlier, Red Mountain Resort is adding a four person chairlift and almost 1000 acres to make it one of the largest resorts in North America. The Grey Mountain expansion will allow skiers to ski 360 degrees of inbounds, avalanche controlled terrain. Opening day is December 14. Photo from Red Mountain Resort

Whistler Blackcomb

This ski resort giant has spent $3 million on snowmaking upgrades for the upcoming winter. Skiers can ride the new Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad on Blackcomb and the new Harmony 6 high-speed six pack on Whistler. Opening day is November 28. Photo from Whistler Blackcomb

Stevens Pass Mountain Resort

Stevens Pass has replaced the Jupiter fixed-grip quad chair with a new high-speed quad, the Jupiter Express. This will reduce to the chairlift ride time to the Mill Valley terrain. Skiers can also expect new gladed terrain in the South Park area and expanded glades in Corona, Pegasus, and Orion. Opening day is November 20. Photo from Stevens Pass Mountain Resort

Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort

Mt. Hood Meadows has repurposed four acres of terrain for beginners transitioning into the intermediate level serviced by the Easy Rider chairlift. Opening day is November 23. Photo from Mt. Hood Meadows

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort

After investing $20 million in upgrades, Sugar Bowl Resort will offer skiers a new triple chair that will provide access to advanced and expert terrain. They have also spent $12 million on a new campus for the Sugar Bowl Academy. Projected opening on November 17. Photo from Sugar Bowl Resort

Squaw Valley Ski Resort

With Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley has upgraded their snowmaking system, their grooming fleet, and even acquired new snow cats. Jibbers should also expect new features at both of their terrain parks. Opening day is November 27. Photo from Squaw Valley