Echo Mountain: The Hidden Resort

Christina Johnson

Echo Mountain, formerly known as Squaw Pass, is one of the only terrain park focused resorts in the United States.  Just miles away from Denver Colorado, it is a terrain park addict’s dream come true.

A resort at this location first opened under the name Squaw Pass in 1960, when former owner Tom Crighton installed two rope tows. They were followed by a T-bar the following summer that was in use for over a decade.  When the mountain opened for its second season, construction had already begun on a lodge area, five new runs, and a ski school.

In the 1960’s, ski lovers knew it as a place where they would be blessed with fresh powder.  Since it only opened on the weekends, tons of snow built up throughout the week.  The mountain closed its doors in 1975,  but this didn’t stop avid skiers from enjoying the mountain on their own.  The owner eventually had to remove the bottom terminals of the T-bar to stop skiers from figuring out how to start the engine.  The mountain was eventually sold to a church organization that planned on using it as a private resort.

After many years, the mountain was placed up for auction and was bought by the Petitt family of Colorado.  The owners hoped to provide skiing and riding close Denver for an affordable price, and to focus on creating terrain park features. Construction began during the summer of 2005, and the name was changed to Echo Mountain. 

Echo Mountain opened for the first time on March 4th, 2006 and in the first season welcomed nearly 3,300 skiers and riders. The terrain mostly consists of park features: a half pipe, jumps, rails, and boxes.  For the ’07-’08 season, the mountain installed a Magic Carpet lift in the beginners areas and cut new glades for more non-park terrain.  That season, the mountain hosted nearly 19,000 skiers and riders.  Currently, there are 13 runs over 50 skiable acres, and two Learning Centers for beginners.  The lifts were upgraded with a triple chair lift that was purchased from Heavenly, CA, two new lodge buildings were constructed and snowmaking was available for the first time. 

For more information about Echo Mountain, check out: http://www.echomtnpark.com

Information provided by:
http://www.echomtnpark.com
http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/areahistory/echomountain.html

Posted by Christina Johnson on 07/06