New Lift Accessing USA’s Biggest Vert
For this winter the capacity on the route of the former Cirque platter lift at Snowmass, which opens up the biggest lift-served vertical in the US, is set to double, as it transforms to a T-bar.
There are different claimants to the title of Biggest Skiable Vertical in the USA – as with many stats, it depends what your parameters are. If you go for areas where you include a hike to the top, Telluride is usually placed top with 4,425 feet and Timberline in Oregon gets 4,540 feet by some measures. Jackson Hole’s 4,139 feet is the longest continual lift-served drop, but Snowmass, Colorado, with 4,406 feet between its lowest base lift and highest top lift at the Cirque, has the biggest vertical fully lift-served difference.
For this winter the capacity on that Cirque platter lift at Snowmass is set to double, as it transforms to a T-bar, improving access to some of the resort’s most extreme terrain. The upgrade is part of a much larger $80 million investment in on-mountain infrastructure.
The Cirque zone, perched near 3,813 metres (12,500 feet), has long been a favourite among expert skiers for its steep chutes, expansive bowls, and panoramic views. Until now, access relied on a single-rider platter lift, often resulting in long queues and limited throughput. The new T-bar effectively doubles uphill capacity, which should ease congestion and allow more skiers and riders to access Snowmass’s high-elevation terrain.
“This is one of the highest lifts in North America, and the terrain it serves is some of the best extreme skiing we offer,” said Susan Cross, Mountain Manager at Snowmass, adding, “Upgrading to a T-bar means smoother access to the Cirque’s breathtaking alpine lines and a better overall experience for our guests.”
The Cirque upgrade joins a suite of improvements across the wider Aspen-Snowmass resort for 25-26, including a new six-pack chairlift at Elk Camp and the full rebuild of the Ullrhof mid-mountain lodge. It will reopen in 2026–27 as the resort’s first all-electric on-mountain restaurant. This is the first time in nearly two decades that Snowmass has added two new lifts in one season.
