A new ski season is almost here, and plenty of upgrades are coming to North American ski resorts, from new lifts and expanded terrain to snowmaking improvements. The major multi-resort passes have also announced changes for the season. Read on for highlights of what’s new at ski resorts across North America for the 2026–27 ski season.
What’s New With the Big Ski Passes
Ikon Pass continues to expand, now with more than 70 destinations worldwide. New in North America are SilverStar in British Columbia and three Midwest destinations: Lutsen Mountains in Minnesota, Granite Peak in Wisconsin, and Snowriver Mountain Resort in Michigan. In Asia, Ikon added Madarao Mountain Resort in Japan and Beidahu and Lake Songhua in China. Ikon Base Pass holders now get unlimited access to Arapahoe Basin and five days at Snowmass, and Ikon Pass holders get two free days at a growing list of bonus mountains, including Tamarack in Idaho and Devil’s Head in Wisconsin.
The Epic Pass took a different approach this year, focusing on improving the guest experience at its existing resorts rather than adding new destinations. New offerings include Epic Ascent, a higher-touch private lesson experience. See our Epic vs. Ikon comparison to decide which pass is right for you.
The Indy Pass has grown to more than 300 mostly independent ski areas around the world, keeping its two-days-per-mountain formula. Meanwhile, The Mountain Collective offers two days at each of its destinations, along with discounts on additional days. Check our pass buyer’s guides for full details, prices, and on-sale dates.
See what’s new at ski areas across North America for 2026–27 below.
Utah
Park City’s Deer Valley continues what’s been called the largest resort expansion in ski industry history. This season, the new Hail Peak Express adds seven runs and 200 skiable acres, bringing Deer Valley to about 4,500 acres served by 32 chairlifts, 11 of which have been added since December 2024. Deer Valley is also adding a new 10-million-gallon reservoir to boost snowmaking, plus new snow features for young and beginner skiers. If you haven’t skied Deer Valley since before the expansion, plan to spend some time with the new trail map. Deer Valley is targeting a Dec. 5 opening.
North of Salt Lake City, Powder Mountain is opening a new triple chair serving the DMI zone beneath James Peak, giving the public lift access to roughly 1,000 acres of advanced terrain with about 2,200 feet of vertical. Powder Mountain is also replacing its Sundown lift with the new Sundown Express high-speed quad, which will speed things up for both day and night skiing.
Colorado and the Southwest
Several Colorado ski areas have new lifts this season. Powderhorn replaced its historic 1972 West End double chair with the Wild West Express, a high-speed quad that cuts the ride to the West End from more than 13 minutes to about six. At Purgatory, the new Colorado Couloir chairlift improves mountain access and serves new steep terrain, and Aspen Mountain is also debuting a new chairlift. Behind the scenes, Breckenridge is adding avalanche mitigation upgrades, and resorts including Copper Mountain are upgrading snowmaking systems.
Farther south, New Mexico’s Angel Fire is replacing its longtime Chair 2, dating back to 1966, with the new Angel Express, and Nevada’s Lee Canyon, near Las Vegas, is building a new terrain pod and chairlift in its Wild West Bowl.
Idaho, Montana, and the Pacific Northwest
Idaho’s Sun Valley is debuting two new lifts on Bald Mountain, the Lookout Express and a new Christmas detachable quad, following four other recent lift installations. Sun Valley is also adding about 40 acres of new gladed terrain and expanding Sunny’s Adventure Park for beginners.
In Oregon, Mt. Bachelor is upgrading the electrical and operational systems on its Northwest chairlift to reduce weather-related closures and improve reliability, and Alaska’s Alyeska is replacing snowmaking pipe and adding high-efficiency equipment.
The East
Maine’s Sugarloaf is adding two conveyor lifts to its learning area, freeing up terrain on Birches, and continuing glade work in the Bracket area. In Quebec, Mont Sutton is replacing three double chairlifts on the west side of the mountain with a new quad near the family zone, along with a new magic carpet and snowmaking upgrades.
Western Canada
At Whistler Blackcomb, the historic Showcase T-Bar is being replaced by a new fixed-grip quad chairlift, providing more consistent access to the Blackcomb Glacier terrain. In Alberta, Lake Louise is adding new terrain, including Grove Glade and expanded tree skiing, and SilverStar joins the Ikon Pass this season.
Construction schedules can change, so check each resort’s website for the latest on new lifts and terrain before your trip.
Header image: ©Visit Park City
