The recent winter storm that left behind more than four feet of snow on Sugar Bowl Resort, coupled with the current storm that added 10 inches more, has improved skiing and riding conditions enough for the Summit Chair to open earlier than anticipated. 

The CTEC-built Garraventa fixed-grip quad, rising 420 vertical feet, made its debut at Sugar Bowl Resort on Wednesday, December 23rd.  Skiers and riders can access the new chairlift by riding the Mt. Judah Express lift, then skiing a short distance to the new lift’s bottom terminal.

Accessing the expert-only runs of Sugar Bowl's Judah Bowl, the new chairlift also improves lift service to Sugar Bowl’s impressive sidecountry terrain, with the new Backcountry Adventure Center taking skiers and riders on professionally-guided powder tours, teaching the skills needed for safe backcountry travel. 

The Summit Chair was installed at Sugar Bowl this past summer, employing environmental installation techniques that helped earn Sugar Bowl an “A” rating in this year’s environmental review from the Ski Area Citizens Coalition. 

The Summit chair is the resort’s 13th lift and the first to be installed at Sugar Bowl since the Mt. Lincoln Express upgrade in 2000.    The resort has also planned an official celebration for the new Summit Chair on January 30th, part of Sugar Bowl’s 70th anniversary festivities.