Colorado ski areas spend more than $140 million into improvements during the 2005-06 winter season.

 

 Arapahoe Basin: Expanding Montezuma Bowl by another 400 acres. New terrain expected to be fully open for 2006-07 ski season.

 Breckenridge: Has two major projects under way, including a new lift to the top of Peak 8 and Skyway Skiway ski run down the peak to town parking lots..

 

Imperial Express Facts:

 

 Crested Butte: Continuing $57 million in improvements, including a new chairlift, base-area landscaping and the new Mountaineer Square base village.

 

 

 

 

Eldora: Will add 30 new snow-making guns that produce better quality snow than old models.

Howelson: Investing $160,000 in a new Nordic jump.

 

 Keystone: Adding snowcat transport to 860 acres of remote terrain that takes only 10 to 15 minutes. Typical hike to same area lasts 30 to 40 minutes.

 

 Loveland: Adding a new lounge for leaders of groups. Lounge will include computers, wireless Internet access, desks and ski storage.

 

 

 

 Monarch: Mirkwood Basin getting 12 new runs, which will add 130 acres of advanced/expert skiing to area.

 

 

 

 

 Powderhorn: Widening its Maverick and Dude trails to make it easier for intermediate skiers and snowboard riders to get down the mountain. Also adding new expert run to far east side of mountain.

Purgatory: Columbine Area getting a face lift, including construction of Alpenglow townhomes and relocation of Magic Carpet lift and SnowCoaster tubing hill.

 

 

 Silverton: Investing more than $250,000 in its Sick Bird Bike Park snow safety project that also may include new terrain. Also opening two extreme runs, Fat Guy Culoir and The Wet Spot, this season.

 

 

 Ski Cooper: Renovating day lodge, ski school building and race buildings.

 

 

 

 Snowmass: Working on new base village, and related on-mountain improvements including a lift. Also, the new Deep Temerity lift and terrain will open this season.

 

 

 Steamboat: Completing environmental analysis of proposed projects. In next five years, resort plans to improve chairlifts, on-mountain restaurants, ski trails and snow-making.

 

 

 

 Vail: Terrain-grooming initiative kicks into its second phase this season with replacement of nine snowcat vehicles. Vail grooms 1,300 to 1,600 acres per night on average.

 

 Winter Park Resort: Mary Jane Mountain's Club Car restaurant will be expanded, and the Summit Express chairlift will be replaced with a high-speed, detachable six-seat lift.

 

 

 Wolf Creek: Some $2 million in improvements range from more parking to new rental equipment, including 600 pairs of high-end skis and 200 snowboards.