Stevens Pass, WA – Washington State’s Stevens Pass Mountain Resort has unveiled capital plans for more than $4 million in lift and terrain improvements. A new high-speed Doppelmayr detachable quad will replace the Jupiter fixed-grip quad chair lift in Mill Valley at Stevens Pass. In addition, the resort will add new gladed terrain in the South Park area as well as expand glading in Corona, Pegasus and Orion areas.

This is the first major capital improvement for the new ownership and operating group which acquired Stevens Pass in November of 2011 from Harbor Properties. It also marks the first new chair lift in 15 years for the resort.

“Our dedication of capital dollars to the project demonstrates our commitment to provide guests and pass holders with the best skiing and riding experience in Washington state,” said Karl Kapuscinski, president and CEO of Stevens Pass Mountain Resort, LLC.

The Jupiter Express will replace one of Stevens’ most popular lifts and cut the ride time in half, from eight minutes and 30 seconds to just four minutes and 10 seconds. It will use the same alignment as the current Jupiter Quad, spanning 3,755 feet with a vertical rise of 1,344 feet.

The South Park terrain will be lift-served by the new Jupiter Express in Stevens’ popular Mill Valley.

“Last summer, we made a substantial effort to open up and clean out areas within the existing boundaries to provide better tree skiing,” said Joel Martinez, VP of mountain operations. “We have received overwhelming support for this effort by our guests, so this year we are taking the next step, expanding glading on the back side and opening up the South Park terrain which will increase the skiable acreage here at Stevens Pass.“

Construction on the new lift will begin this April, with an expected opening in December 2013.