Cuchara Alive?

EMSC

Well-known member
Decade long defunct Cuchara, CO looks like it might get another go as Admin posted about earlier http://www.firsttracksonline.com/News/2010/8/23/Renewed-Hope-for-Colorados-Cuchara-Ski-Resort/

A few more details here: http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_15888626
and especially here: http://www.cucharavalley.org/cvrredev/cmrstoryfile/2communitymeet.html

I can't really see $14M going into reviving a place with poor snowfall history, but stranger things have happened - Just look at Greek Peak's $20M lodge in the middle of nowhere.

Realisitically it sounds like all the focus is really going to be on year round items first and foremost with only some tubing and beginner skiing at first (the NFS permit for the upper mtn has long since expired and would need renewal).

I actually stopped and hiked around the area one summer a few years ago. My impression is that for skiing that members of FTO would be interested in they would have to expand above the top of the 'current' area. A lot of open bowls and etc... once you get up there. but the current footprint tops out on a knob that's still in the trees and well below the real mountain tops in the area. I have no idea if the snowfall at altitude would be enough better to accommodate annual opening of that terrain, though I would guess it would be much better than the rather low valley that the current area bottoms out at. I live way too far away, but they are holding a couple of open meetings to talk about the plan - both on Thursday Aug 26th (see the last url link above).
 
Back
Top