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PHOTOS: New Coney Express chairlift opens for business at Snowmass

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PHOTOS: New Coney Express chairlift opens for business at Snowmass

Aspen Skiing Company CEO Geoff Buchheister talks during the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Coney Express chairlift on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

Geoff Buchheister seems to enjoy a ribbon cutting as much as the next person. In only his second full winter as Aspen Skiing Company’s CEO, he’s now been part of two new chairlifts opening after the Coney Express lift came to life on Friday morning at Snowmass Ski Area.

“I hope every year I get to hold a pair of scissors like this. This is my second year here, and it’s two years in a row holding a pair of scissors and opening a new lift here at Aspen Snowmass,” he told a sizeable crowd that had gathered for the ceremony from the lift’s lower terminal.

“We are extremely excited,” he said. “What I’d like to say is our team works every day with the goal in mind of this being the best resort in the world. We want to keep that going, and we couldn’t do it without all of you out here being part of it with us.”

Last winter, SkiCo opened the Hero’s terrain on Aspen Mountain, including the new Hero’s chairlift. This year it was Snowmass getting the attention, with the new Coney Express replacing the popular Coney Glade chairlift that had first been installed in 1986.

With the lower terminal now coming all the way down to Fanny Hill, adjacent to Snowmass Mall, SkiCo says this will increase its out-of-base capacity, meaning it will ease some of the congestion that can occur during peak hours.

“The cool thing about this is we are sitting here on private land, and when you get off of this lift here, you are on White River National Forest (land). You are enjoying your national forest,” White River National Forest Ranger Kevin Warner told the crowd during the ceremony. “I just want to recognize how important the partnership is between Aspen Skiing Company and the U.S. Forest Service in providing this recreational experience.”

Per SkiCo, the Coney Express is a high-speed quad lift with a ride time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds “and features a midway station for access from the world-class Snowmass terrain park, The Cabin (formerly Lynn Britt Cabin) and Spider Sabich Race Arena.”

The old Coney Glade chairlift was a popular haunt for young (and old) park and pipe skiers and riders, as it provided easy access to the terrain park. The new lift has a chance to fill that void with the new generation of athletes.

According to Snowmass Mountain Manager Susan Cross, the name for the lift was submitted by Shannon Darcy of the ski school and ultimately chosen by the SkiCo executives. It runs almost parallel to the Village Express chairlift.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Cross told the crowd. “I didn’t expect this many people to be here. Appreciate you coming out. It’s been an exciting summer, and there are a lot of thanks to be had.”

acolbert@aspentimes.com

Aspen Skiing Company CEO Geoff Buchheister talks during the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Coney Express chairlift on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The ribbon is cut during a ceremony for the new Coney Express chairlift on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The very first passengers prepare to load the lift after the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Coney Express chairlift on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Snowmass Ski Area.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

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