Copper Mountain, CO – Workers this summer will replace the High Point fixed grip double chair at the base of Union Creek at Colorado’s Copper Mountain ski resort with a brand new detachable quad.nSki resort officials indicate that the new lift will provide improved service to all levels of skiing and riding ability. The new chair, manufactured by Doppelmayr USA, will have a new alignment to help improve skier and rider circulation in and out of Union Creek. In conjunction with the new lift, the addition of a new trail connection from the east will make the circulation from the Catalyst Terrain Park and the beginner and intermediate terrain in the area much easier.

“I have been skiing at Copper since college and when Powdr purchased Copper, we did so with a goal of enhancing and improving the on-mountain experience,” says John Cumming, President and CEO of Powdr Corp. “I am very excited about taking this first step.”

The new lift will have a capacity of 2,400 people per hour, a length of 4,937 feet, with a vertical rise of 1,005 feet. The ride time will be five minutes, a fraction of the current lift ride from Union Creek to mid-mountain. The top terminal will be realigned slightly uphill and to the east of the current High Point lift, first installed in 1976. The lower terminal will move to the East side of the Schoolhouse.

Construction of the new lift is scheduled for June 1, 2011.

“After a year of significant infrastructure investments in snowmaking, parking and much more, we are excited to announce a more visible on-mountain improvement,” says Gary Rodgers, President and General Manager of Copper Mountain Resort. “We view the new lift as a critical step in improving the Union Creek skiing and riding experience for all ability levels.”