When the 2022-23 ski season commences, Mt. Rose ski resort will be better than ever following the largest capital improvement project in the Nevada resort’s long history.
The resort’s new Lakeview zone, a $7.5 million on-mountain expansion, will enhance and change the way skiers and riders experience the mountain. The new high-speed Lakeview Express lift will be catering to low-level and intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Mt. Rose sold the old Lakeview lift to Dodge Ridge in Pinecrest, a small resort that primarily serves Modesto, Fresno and surrounding communities.
The Lakeside trail will feature expansive views of Lake Tahoe and now provide the preferred route to access the popular Around the World trail. Work crews started removing the old Lakeview Lift when the 2021-22 season ended. Much of the dirt work is finished and extensive foundation prep is nearing completion.
Mt. Rose is located off the Mt. Rose Highway, approximately 10 miles from Incline Village in North Lake Tahoe and the closest ski resort to Reno
“The expansion of the Lakeview zone, trail improvements and the addition of the new express chairlift will have a transformative effect on the way people access that area of the mountain,” Mike Pierce, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe marketing director, told the Nevada Appeal earlier this month. “Skiers and riders of all ability levels will enjoy expansive views of Lake Tahoe that they haven’t had before, and the new Lakeside trail is sure to quickly become a favorite of many thanks to its gentle wide flow complimented by stellar lake views.”.
Mt. Rose is also doing additional work. Other lifts are also receiving a facelift with a fresh modern paint scheme and low voltage drive updates on the fixed grip chairs.
ROSE INFO
- Location: Mt. Rose Highway in Reno
- Features the area’s highest base elevation
- Elevation: Base 7,900; Summit 9,700
- 8 lifts, more than 60 trails
- Phone: (775) 849-0704
- Website: www.skirose.com
The overall improvements are the largest single-season investment in the resort’s history, dating back to the early 1950s.
“We have had some big projects over the years,” Pierce said. “The new Lakeview Express lift replaces the old Lakeview lift, which had been in place since 1980. With Covid, we realized that we really needed another relief valve from the main lodge with some of the crowds we had, especially with the expanded seating we had to do on the main Summit Express lift. Covid just upped our priorities.”
The new Lakeview Express lift is two towers longer than the old lift and also opens more skiable terrain, while providing terrific views of Lake Tahoe. The high-speed quad will reduce ride times from roughly 10 minutes to approximately 4 minutes, alleviating congestion around the base lodge.
“Traffic patterns should change,” Pierce said. “A lot of lower-level skiers would take the Summit lift and get mixed in with upper-level traffic. This will spread guests out very well and make their experience on the mountain better.”
An access road serving the top of Mt. Rose provided easy access for workmen this summer and the materials needed to construct footings for the three uppermost lift towers. But other parts of the mountain proved more difficult to access and workers had to fly in some materials by helicopter.
The lift towers will be built in Grand Junction and assembled on site, before being flown into place by helicopter. Work on the new Lakeview Express is expected to be completed by the end of October or beginning of November, ahead of the resort’s tentatively late fall opening.
For more information on Mt. Rose ski resort, visit www.skirose.com.
.
