La Plata County skiing enthusiasts won’t be able to hit the slopes at one area resort this winter.
Hesperus Ski Area announced Wednesday it will close for the 2023-24 ski season because of a mechanical failure involving the Bighorn Chairlift’s gearbox.
The gearbox for the Bighorn chairlift failed, and a compatible replacement cannot be sourced, Purgatory spokeswoman Theresa Graven said in an email to The Durango Herald.
“The gearbox is the lift’s transmission, as it connects the motor to the drive bullwheel and is crucial for the lift’s operation. The only viable option is to remanufacture the original gearbox, making it impossible to open Hesperus Ski Area for the 23-24 season,” she said.
State records indicate that the resort’s Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board license will expire Jan. 4.
When asked why that license had not been renewed, Graven said that process happens every year, but the resort hadn’t gotten around to doing that because the gearbox had failed.
“Once that happened, they decided to wait and see as it was apparent it wasn't going to be a quick or easy fix. They explored all viable replacement or other options before making the difficult decision to close,” she said.
There won’t be any tubing or uphill skiing allowed either, according to Graven.
“The parking lot will not be plowed and no other mountain operations will be conducted,” she said.
Hesperus Ski Area, which had completed more than $100,000 in capital improvements entering this winter, was doing lift maintenance and preparations before the ski season.
“Hesperus relies on natural snowfall to operate, so the ski area typically operates from December through March,” Graven said. “This is not enough time to remanufacture the gearbox in time to salvage this season.”
The resort is located on the north side of Hesperus in western La Plata County.
Those with Hesperus value passes have the option to do a direct exchange for a two-day “My Weekday Pass” at Purgatory Resort this winter, opt for credit on another 2023-24 pass at the original Spring 2023 on-sale rate or apply that credit toward their Hesperus pass for the 2024-25 ski season, according to a news release. Those with other season passes to Hesperus also have those aforementioned credit options.
Those with uphill passes have the option to receive a full refund, apply their credit to another Purgatory pass or apply it to their 2024-25 Hesperus season pass.
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
