First Chair Festival and Fundraiser - July 2, 2022

Friends and valued supporters, the winter season has given way to warm days of spring. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our strong team of volunteers and every single one of our generous supporters. We hope you were able to get out to the park and have fun in the snow.

We’ve been working long and hard to get Lift 4 running for the public. To celebrate the hard work and effort, and help raise some needed funds to get us to the finish line, we have partnered with The Cuchara Mountain Mercantile to bring you some fun over the 4th of July weekend. Come on out for music, food, drink, fun, & more.

Events:

12pm - Disc Golf Tournament presented by Bachman & Associates Real Estate | Cuchara Mountain Park Day Lodge
2pm - 4pm - Day Lodge open for the Cuchara Foundation and Cuchara Hermosa will have materials available to make seed balls bird feeders to take home.
3pm Doors Open - come early for nature talks or to hike the park
4pm - Silent Auction: Great items from local and national companies | Cuchara Mountain Mercantile - List of auction items here
4pm - Concert: Robbie and part of the Reckless followed by 2 sets of Ponder the Albatross | Cuchara Mountain Mercantile

$20 tickets available online in advance or at the door

Free for kids under 16

Buy advance tickets here

Disc golf tournament registration here

Thank you to our great sponsors of the First Chair Festival and Fundraiser

Our Story

The lifts stopped running on Cuchara Mountain in 2000, but the local community is determined to see skiing return. In 2017, the community raised funds to purchase around 50 acers at the base of the old ski hill. This became Cuchara Mountain Park, which restored public access to the area and surrounding USFS lands for outdoor recreation. Within Cuchara Mountain Park is Lift 4. In 2019, the Panadero Ski Corporation was formed to restore the lift and revive the lower slopes of the abandoned ski area.

Thanks to generous donors and amazing volunteers we have made significant progress on Lift 4. But before we can return skiing to Cuchara we face costly state inspections and insurance. When Lift 4 is certified to carry passengers it will provide access to 7 runs perfect for beginners and families. Our mission is to ensure that skiing at Cuchara Mountain Park is affordable and accessible for everyone. In doing so we can also help support a year-round local economy. But we can't get Lift 4 spinning again without your help! Please donate today.

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The Mountain

The Mountain went by many names from 1981 when the area opened until 2000 when skiing operations stopped. In its prime, the mountain had 4 chairlifts, accessing 230 acers, with over 1,500 of vertical drop. Today all the old runs on USFS land are accessible for powder chasing backcountry/alpine touring skiing and riding via Cuchara Mountain Park. While we work to get Lift 4 running, we invite folks to come on up and enjoy human powered skiing. Cuchara Mountain provides excellent terrain for those new to the backcountry to build skills and confidence.

Cuchara Mountain Park (CMP) represents the efforts of the local community, led by the Cuchara Foundation, to purchase the former base area previously privately owned. The Park is now a Huerfano County Park and offers a range of winter and summer activities. The Panadero Ski Corporation's efforts to revive the old ski area are focused within CMP and Lift 4. Once Lift 4 is ready to spin again it will take skiers and riders up 300ft and provide access to epically groomed runs perfect for beginners, families, and anyone looking to cruise laps. Plans to add a railyard are also in the works. The slopes above CMP will remain reserved for backcountry access free of charge. Skiing at CMP will be a unique and affordable opportunity for anyone from those just learning, those wanting to enjoy some fresh air in the winter, and even the backcountry skiing explorer!

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Our Progress

It is amazing what a determined group is able to accomplish. In the past 3 years we have made a lot of progress repairing and bring Lift 4 back to life. None of this could have been achieved without our great volunteers and donors. Here are highlights of the work we have done so far:

Ran a new 24 pair low voltage cable from bottom of lift 4 to the top
Removed all chairs to x-ray clips for cracks; lubricated cable and bearings; reinstalled chairs
Inspected each sheave assembly (wheels on lift pole), greased bearings, some assemblies rebuilt
X-rayed each bolt at base of every tower to ensure no cracks
Purchased 2 used snowcats for grooming + fuel for grooming operations
Built new ramps at the bottom and top of the lift to accommodate riders entering and exiting the lift safely
Resurrected and repaired part of old snowmaking system around base area
Replaced a ~500ft 480-volt wire that powers lift, including trenching and burying
Built and stocked a ski patrol clinic
Cut down bushes and trees on ski runs (will be an on-going project)
Trail and other signage are being made

Bringing an abandoned ski area back to life is hard work but we are close to the finish line! We need your help to get make this dream a reality. All of our work is 100% funded by donations and all donations go directly toward getting Lift 4 running and starting ski operations. Please consider donating today!

DONATE TODAY