Lift-served skiing is NOT open, please check back for updates

We are a 501c3 non-profit bringing lift-aided skiing and year-round, lift-served recreation to Cuchara Mountain Park, ensuring that fun, affordable, and educational opportunities are available for everyone.

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WINTER IS COMING!!

The first snowflakes have fallen on Cuchara Mountain Park. We are still exhausting all options to get lift-served skiing open this winter. BUT CURRENTLY LIFT 4 IS NOT CERTIFIED AND WE DON'T HAVE LIFT-SERVED SKIING UNTIL IT IS.

But, no matter what Cuchara Mountain Park will be open for backcountry access to all the runs on the mountain. Access is always free*. Come earn your turns.

You'll be rewarded!

Recommend uphill route is in yellow. Remember that you enter the backcountry at your own risk. Please follow all signs and warnings on the mountain.

* But please consider a donation

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 acres 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, insurance, and other start-up costs. 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 acres, 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 raise money for the County to buy the land. 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 on 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 can accomplish. In the past 3 years, we have made a lot of progress repairing and bringing Lift 4 back to life. Summer of '22 we had Dendrite Engineers out to begin our certification process and have made significant progress on the lift. Here are highlights of the work we have done so far:

Fixed electric motor control switches
Ran a new 24-pair low voltage cable from the 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, and some assemblies rebuilt
X-rayed each bolt at the 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 the old snowmaking system around the 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 ongoing 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