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| Trail Maps: |
| Construction Plans |
| Echo Mountain |
| Looking down from the summit. |
| Resort History: |
The history of the Squaw Pass Ski property goes back many years.
Skiing first began on Squaw Pass back in 1960 when Tom Crighton
installed two rope tows. The following summer, Roebling was contracted
to install a T-bar. Construction at the area consisted of a lodge area,
which had a nice fireplace and snacks, five runs and a well-known ski
school. The T-bar continued to run for over a decade as primarily local
residents of Evergreen and Clear Creek County used the ski area.
Other than Arapahoe East, Squaw Pass did not have much in the way of
competition as the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel was not built and other
areas like Berthoud Pass and Loveland were farther away. Typical
operations consisted of a weekend schedule, which meant that powder
could build up all week for skiers. In 1975, the ski area was shut down.
Looking back on it today, many people speculate it was due to snow.
Former employees at the area assure us that on a typical operating year,
Squaw Pass was never short of snow. It was, however, often cold and
windy. It all reality, by the 1970’s, many smaller ski areas were closing
throughout the state. This was mostly due to rising operation costs, which
stem from insurance and maintenance expenses.
After Squaw Pass’ closure, many residents continued to ski here. Some
would practice their backcountry skiing here since avalanches were not a
danger. The former owner also had to remove the bottom terminal of the
T-bar because crafty skiers figured out how to start the diesel drive engine
and have essentially a private ski area.
Once the ski area closed, it was later sold to a church organization that
had grandiose plans for the property. They wanted to construct a ski area
with a 200-room hotel. Since water is difficult to obtain on Squaw Pass,
the hotel would have required daily deliveries from water trucks. This
plan does not seem too practical in hindsight. Unfortunately, plans fell
through for the church organization and the area continued to remain
dormant.
While the property changed hands multiple times after the church group;
nothing ever amounted at the Squaw Pass site. Finally, in 2002, the area
was put on the auctioning block. The Petitt family of Colorado purchased
the land for about three quarters of a million dollars. Upon acquisition of
the land, the Petitt's were considering rebuilding the ski area. By the
following year, it became apparent the former Squaw Pass site would host
skiers again. Permits by the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department
of Transportation and Clear Creek County were issued during the winter
of 2004-2005. Construction began during June of 2005.
The Pettit's original marketing model for the new ski area was to create
one giant terrain park called Echo Mountain Park. With the recent boom
in the terrain park aspect of ski areas, Echo hoped to provide a superior
produce closer to Denver and free of the plagued Interstate 70. Most of
the area’s attention focused on park features such as a half pipe, jumps,
rails and boxes. A used Yan 1000 model triple chair was purchased from
Heavenly, CA and installed by Ski Lifts Unlimited. The chair serves Echo’
s entire 700-foot vertical drop. Along with the new lift, two lodge
buildings were constructed. They house everything from a cafeteria, bar,
area offices, to rest rooms. Snowmaking was available for the first season
fed by four on-site wells, which provides coverage on all trails. Since
there are no utilities on the pass, Echo's power source is from an on site
generator. Plans may eventually call for ski area to be wired into the grid.
Due to construction delays, Echo did not open until March 4th, 2006.
During that winter, snow storms heavily favored divide and west, but little
if any precipitation fell on the Front Range. This left Echo's opening day
solely dependant on snowmaking. Despite the unfavorable weather
pattern, Echo opened a single trail for crowds. For their first season,
Echo hosted 3,238 skiers and riders.
During Echo's second year of operation they offered a full operating
schedule, running the lift seven days per week. Skier numbers topped
18,758 during a year where Denver and the Front Range saw near-record
snowfall.
For the 2007-08 season, Echo installed a new learner's handle tow,
relocated from Snowmass Ski Area. Along with the new lift, glades were
cut to provide more non-terrain park runs for skiers and riders.
For more information, please check out Squaw Pass' lost page.
Skiing first began on Squaw Pass back in 1960 when Tom Crighton
installed two rope tows. The following summer, Roebling was contracted
to install a T-bar. Construction at the area consisted of a lodge area,
which had a nice fireplace and snacks, five runs and a well-known ski
school. The T-bar continued to run for over a decade as primarily local
residents of Evergreen and Clear Creek County used the ski area.
Other than Arapahoe East, Squaw Pass did not have much in the way of
competition as the Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel was not built and other
areas like Berthoud Pass and Loveland were farther away. Typical
operations consisted of a weekend schedule, which meant that powder
could build up all week for skiers. In 1975, the ski area was shut down.
Looking back on it today, many people speculate it was due to snow.
Former employees at the area assure us that on a typical operating year,
Squaw Pass was never short of snow. It was, however, often cold and
windy. It all reality, by the 1970’s, many smaller ski areas were closing
throughout the state. This was mostly due to rising operation costs, which
stem from insurance and maintenance expenses.
After Squaw Pass’ closure, many residents continued to ski here. Some
would practice their backcountry skiing here since avalanches were not a
danger. The former owner also had to remove the bottom terminal of the
T-bar because crafty skiers figured out how to start the diesel drive engine
and have essentially a private ski area.
Once the ski area closed, it was later sold to a church organization that
had grandiose plans for the property. They wanted to construct a ski area
with a 200-room hotel. Since water is difficult to obtain on Squaw Pass,
the hotel would have required daily deliveries from water trucks. This
plan does not seem too practical in hindsight. Unfortunately, plans fell
through for the church organization and the area continued to remain
dormant.
While the property changed hands multiple times after the church group;
nothing ever amounted at the Squaw Pass site. Finally, in 2002, the area
was put on the auctioning block. The Petitt family of Colorado purchased
the land for about three quarters of a million dollars. Upon acquisition of
the land, the Petitt's were considering rebuilding the ski area. By the
following year, it became apparent the former Squaw Pass site would host
skiers again. Permits by the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado Department
of Transportation and Clear Creek County were issued during the winter
of 2004-2005. Construction began during June of 2005.
The Pettit's original marketing model for the new ski area was to create
one giant terrain park called Echo Mountain Park. With the recent boom
in the terrain park aspect of ski areas, Echo hoped to provide a superior
produce closer to Denver and free of the plagued Interstate 70. Most of
the area’s attention focused on park features such as a half pipe, jumps,
rails and boxes. A used Yan 1000 model triple chair was purchased from
Heavenly, CA and installed by Ski Lifts Unlimited. The chair serves Echo’
s entire 700-foot vertical drop. Along with the new lift, two lodge
buildings were constructed. They house everything from a cafeteria, bar,
area offices, to rest rooms. Snowmaking was available for the first season
fed by four on-site wells, which provides coverage on all trails. Since
there are no utilities on the pass, Echo's power source is from an on site
generator. Plans may eventually call for ski area to be wired into the grid.
Due to construction delays, Echo did not open until March 4th, 2006.
During that winter, snow storms heavily favored divide and west, but little
if any precipitation fell on the Front Range. This left Echo's opening day
solely dependant on snowmaking. Despite the unfavorable weather
pattern, Echo opened a single trail for crowds. For their first season,
Echo hosted 3,238 skiers and riders.
During Echo's second year of operation they offered a full operating
schedule, running the lift seven days per week. Skier numbers topped
18,758 during a year where Denver and the Front Range saw near-record
snowfall.
For the 2007-08 season, Echo installed a new learner's handle tow,
relocated from Snowmass Ski Area. Along with the new lift, glades were
cut to provide more non-terrain park runs for skiers and riders.
For more information, please check out Squaw Pass' lost page.
| Echo's sign from CO 103. |
| Echo has a great atmosphere |
| The Lodge Area |
| Echo is one large 'freestyle park' |
| The main cafeteria |
| The new Westside Glades |
* Elevations: Top: 11,000' Base: 10,300' Vertical Drop: 700'
* Ski Runs: 13; Beginner: 20% Intermediate: 65% Expert: 15%
* Skiable Acres: 50
* Lifts: Total: 2; Types: 1 Triple, and 1 surface lift
* Lift Capacity: 2,000 people/hour
* Average Snowfall: 220"
* Hours of Operation: Wed - Sat 9-9pm, Sun - Mon 9-5pm
* Typical Season Dates: Mid November - Early May
* Snowmaking Acres: 40
* New This Season: A new beginner tow was installed near the lodge as
well as new glade trails.
* Resort Contact: Website: www.skiecho.com
* Area Owner: The Petitt Family
* Ski Runs: 13; Beginner: 20% Intermediate: 65% Expert: 15%
* Skiable Acres: 50
* Lifts: Total: 2; Types: 1 Triple, and 1 surface lift
* Lift Capacity: 2,000 people/hour
* Average Snowfall: 220"
* Hours of Operation: Wed - Sat 9-9pm, Sun - Mon 9-5pm
* Typical Season Dates: Mid November - Early May
* Snowmaking Acres: 40
* New This Season: A new beginner tow was installed near the lodge as
well as new glade trails.
* Resort Contact: Website: www.skiecho.com
* Area Owner: The Petitt Family
| A wooden rail over an old car! |
| Pros and Cons to Skiing Here: |
|
| A few rails overlooking the divide. |
| Echo offers night skiing! |
| Copyright © coloradoskihistory.com All Rights Reserved. *Resort Stats Current for 2007-2008 Sources: Echo Mountain Park The Colorado Ski Museum Picture Credits: Brad C. Scott B. |
| Current Resort Stats: * |
| Insider Tips to Skiing Here: |
Echo Mountain is Denver's newest, closest and cheapest ski area.
Located about 30 miles from downtown, Echo caters to terrain park
lovers, families, and people looking to make a few turns without waiting in
traffic.
The ski area is well known for having some of the best terrain park
features in the Front Range. On a typical day, look for rails, jumps, tables
and even a few cars to grind on! New this season, Echo will feature a few
runs dedicated to those who just wish to carve turns without all of the
terrain park jazz. A few glades will also add more expert trails to the
selection.
Families looking to teach their children to ski or ride will find Echo an ideal
place. The progression center, located near the lodge has a gentle slope
to teach even the youngest. A handle tow is available for older children
and adults. Echo also offers a full ski and ride school. Instructors teach
everything from the pie to the 1080!
Located about 30 miles from downtown, Echo caters to terrain park
lovers, families, and people looking to make a few turns without waiting in
traffic.
The ski area is well known for having some of the best terrain park
features in the Front Range. On a typical day, look for rails, jumps, tables
and even a few cars to grind on! New this season, Echo will feature a few
runs dedicated to those who just wish to carve turns without all of the
terrain park jazz. A few glades will also add more expert trails to the
selection.
Families looking to teach their children to ski or ride will find Echo an ideal
place. The progression center, located near the lodge has a gentle slope
to teach even the youngest. A handle tow is available for older children
and adults. Echo also offers a full ski and ride school. Instructors teach
everything from the pie to the 1080!
| 2005-2006 |
| 2007-2008 |
| Echo Mountain |
| No lift lines here |
| Various terrain park features |
