Mt. Hood, OR – Mt. Hood Meadows is constructing its first lift since 2005. Stadium, one of Meadows’ original lifts, is being replaced this summer with a new generation Poma high speed detachable quad, and in the process resort officials are restoring wetlands in the base area of the Oregon ski resort.

The new lift will replace the ski area’s existing Stadium fixed grip double. Maximum uphill capacity will reach 2,000 people per hour, versus the current maximum capacity of 1,200 which resort officials acknowledge is rarely achieved. The new lift will be more stable in high winds and will therefore run at maximum capacity more often.

The bottom terminal will be much closer to the lodge – guests will find the load point approximately 300 feet closer than it is currently located. The top terminal will be placed on the ridge near the top of Heather lift, which will improve access to the resort’s North side areas, including Heather Canyon, Shooting Star, and Hood River Meadows. The lift will also join the Mt. Hood Express for night operations so evening riders will have two high speed quads available. The lift will also provide improved service to racers on the Stadium courses.

“A significant element of this project is the restoration of the wetland complex at the base of Blue chair over to the bottom of Mt. Hood Express and continuing to the base of Stadium,” explains Matthew Drake, CEO at Mt. Hood Meadows. “This project will restore approximately 1.5 acres of wetland within our area. It will also include innovative design engineering for the re-construction of existing roads to ‘float’ above the wetland areas without impacting their hydrological function or the propagation of wetland vegetation.”

With the removal of Stadium, also known as the “Yellow” chair, Meadows says goodbye to one of its original lifts. Yellow, along with Blue were the first two lifts constructed at Meadows in 1967. Yellow was upgraded in 2008 with new chairs, electronics, and a variable drive, and renamed “Stadium”.