Resorts Announce Expansions, Hotels & Night Train Return
It may only be just turning into August, but ski enthusiasts are already dreaming of their next mountain escape. The world’s top ski destinations are preparing for an exciting season with major upgrades in infrastructure, sustainability and guest experience. From record-breaking resort expansions in the U.S. to state-of-the-art lift systems in the French Alps, along with eco-friendly initiatives and luxurious new hotels, here’s what’s new for your next ski adventure.
Resort Updates and Expansions
The Largest Expansion in History, Deer Valley, Utah
Deer Valley Resort, located in Park City, Utah, in the Wasatch Mountain Range and just 38 miles (approximately one hour’s drive) from Salt Lake City, is on track to deliver the largest ski resort expansion in history for the 2025/26 ski season. This winter, Deer Valley will introduce seven new chairlifts, including the East Village Express, a 10-passenger gondola connecting the new East Village area to Park Peak. The expansion also includes more than 80 new ski runs. These additions bring the resort’s total to 10 new lifts and over 100 new runs since December 2024, marking a significant milestone in Deer Valley’s ongoing transformation. Deer Valley is available on the Ikon Pass, a multidestination ski pass which offers access to 50+ resorts worldwide. deervalley.com
Next-Generation Lifts: Major Upgrades for Rhodos and Cote Brune, Méribel
The Rhodos cable car is undergoing a major renovation focused on modernisation and sustainability. Upgrades include replacing cabins with the latest-generation models, mechanical renovation of stations and a full replacement of electrical systems. Architectural improvements will see the departure and intermediate stations renovated in 2025, followed by the arrival station in 2026.
The Cote Brune chairlift is being converted into a gondola lift to enhance skier flow management and overall comfort in the ski area. The new lift will feature 10-seater gondolas capable of transporting up to 2,600 people per hour. This upgrade will ensure a smooth and fast connection between the valleys of Val Thorens and Les Menuires. meribel.net
Méribel Goes Green
The resort of Méribel has been awarded two ‘Flocons Verts’ (Green Snowflakes), a prestigious benchmark label that recognises mountain destinations committed to ecological transition. This recognition highlights Méribel’s dedication to positive and sustainable tourism. It also reflects the outcome of a collective effort led by local stakeholders and supported by the “Méribel 2038” structural program, which was launched in 2021. meribel.net
Monarch Mountain Expands and Joins ‘United’s 7-Hub Club’, Colorado
Monarch Mountain will unveil a major expansion into the No Name Basin. The development will add 377 acres of skiable terrain on the west side of the Continental Divide in winter 25/26. Eagle County joins United’s ‘7-Hub Club’, meaning the airport hosts direct flights from seven of United’s major hubs around the country: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington. colorado.com
Purgatory Resort Announces Next Phase of Capital Improvements Ahead of 60th Anniversary, Colorado
As Purgatory Resort approaches its 60th anniversary in December 2025, the Southwest Colorado destination is investing more than $6 million in capital improvements ahead of the upcoming ski season. Upgrades include expanded snowmaking on key backside terrain, a new fixed-grip triple chairlift with five new trails, a new snowcat, glading and more. colorado.com
New Hotels
Limelight Opening - Mammoth Lakes
Opening in 2025, the Limelight by Aspen One will feature 149 hotel rooms and 15 luxury residences, as well as a restaurant, lounge, and club all within easy walking distance of the slopes at Mammoth Mountain at the junction of Canyon Boulevard and Lake Mary Road. When guests are not out on the slopes, they can enjoy the hotel’s restaurant and lounge, expansive outdoor terrace, pool and hot tubs with cabana seating, and a private fitness centre. The hotel will be as eco-friendly as possible, so will be all-electric and aims to achieve net zero emissions as soon as possible. Rates TBC visitmammoth.com
White Elephant Aspen - Aspen
White Elephant Aspen is scheduled to open ahead of the 25/25 ski season in downtown Aspen this autumn, marking the expansion of the celebrated Nantucket-based White Elephant Resorts into the Rocky Mountains. This new 54-room hotel will bring refined style and hospitality, and during the warmer months, guests can cool off with a swim in the outdoor pool or take complimentary bicycles for a spin around town. There will be a carefully curated art collection layered throughout the design with original works inspired by the local environment and scenery. Guests can enjoy complimentary BMW courtesy cars around town and in winter, a shuttle to and from the ski lifts. Rates to be confirmed. aspenchamber.org
Transport Links
Night Train to the Alps is Back, Méribel
Great news for ski lovers: fall asleep in Paris and wake up in the heart of the Alps with the return of the Travelski Night Express, offering a comfortable and convenient journey from Paris to Moutiers. Starting 19 December 2025 through 20 March 2026, this overnight service features 660 cosy beds and a bar-restaurant car, making your trip as enjoyable as your destination. With 14 return trips planned, you can relax, sleep and wake up ready to hit the slopes of the world's largest interconnected ski area. meribel.net
New Denver to Granby Ski Train, Colorado Mountain Rail passenger train service will launch with year-round service between Denver and Granby beginning in late 2026 alongside Colorado’s expanded Winter Park Express Ski Train service operating between Denver and Winter Park in the wintertime. colorado.com
Events & Anniversaries
60 years of Whistler Mountain & 45 years of Blackbomb Mountain, Whistler, Canada
Whistler Mountain is celebrating its 60th anniversary of lift operations during the 2025/26 winter season. This milestone marks six decades since the first lifts began operating on Whistler Mountain, ushering in the era of lift-served skiing and snowboarding on the mountain. To celebrate, the Whistler Museum is looking ahead to various significant anniversaries, including the 60th season of lift operations on Whistler Mountain, the 45th season for Blackcomb Mountain as well as the 50th anniversary of the Resort Municipality of Whistler. In addition to the milestone anniversary of the mountain, Whistler Village also turns 50 in August. whistler.com
Watch the Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s races in St Moritz, Switzerland
St. Moritz, one of Switzerland’s most iconic alpine resorts and an Ikon Pass destination, is known for its world-class skiing, luxury hotels, and Olympic heritage. Each winter, it hosts the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's races, a highlight of the international racing calendar. This year the event will take place from 12–14 December, featuring two Women’s Downhill races on Friday and Saturday, followed by a Women’s Super-G on Sunday. When not watching the exhilarating racing, why not hit the slopes yourself and tackle some of the 300 kilometers (186 miles) of skiable terrain.
For a Touch of the Wild West, visit Steamboat, Colorado
Originally a ranching town, Steamboat is one of Colorado’s largest resorts with over 3,700 acres of skiable terrain. The resort celebrates its deep-rooted Western heritage with its legendary annual ‘Cowboy Downhill’ event where over 100 professional cowboys and cowgirls trade their boots for skis in a wild, one-of-a-kind race. Taking place in January 2026 with the exact dates to be confirmed, this is one for the diary! When not exploring the incredible history behind the history, be sure to enjoy the updates including the recently completed transformation which unveiled the Wild Blue Gondola, the longest and fastest 10-person gondola in North America, great for accessing the resort. steamboat.com
Witness the PwC Tremblant World Cup and Quebois culture in Tremblant, Canada
Located in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec in Canada, Tremblant offers 102 trails, 754 metres of terrain along with a unique taste of French Canadian culture. The resort regularly hosts sporting events with the PwC Tremblant World Cup scheduled for 6-7 December 2025. Competition is fierce and in 2025, there are 72 athletes competing from 20 different countries. Once the adrenaline of the competitions dies down, be sure to explore the incredible resort which was established in 1939 and stands as one of Canada’s oldest ski resorts, with over 86 years of rich history and tradition. tremblant.ca
Historic Alpine World Cup Event Debuts at Copper Mountain for First Time, Colorado
World Cup alpine racing will be hosted at Colorado’s Athlete’s Mountain at Copper Mountain for the first time, featuring both women’s and men’s events from November 27-30, 2025. The Stifel Copper Cup, an Audi FIS Ski World Cup, will showcase women’s giant slalom and slalom events alongside the men’s super-G and giant slalom races. Hosting both the women’s and men’s competitions is a unique opportunity for ski racing fans to witness the world’s top athletes competing at the same location over one weekend. colorado.com
