Beaver Creek will be replacing the Rose Bowl Lift, Chair 4, with a new high-speed, four-person chairlift this summer.

The U.S. Forest Service completed an environmental review of the project and has approved replacement of the lift. Resort officials plan to begin installation in June, weather permitting, and complete the project by mid-November.

The new Rose Bowl Lift will transport 2,400 people per hour and the new ride time will be nearly cut in half to five-and-a-half minutes.

The lift upgrade also will spread skiers and snowboarders across the main mountain more, and reducing crowds on the Cinch Express Lift (Chair 8) and Centennial Express Lift (Chair 6), according to Beaver Creek officials. The resort also plans to increase its grooming in Rose Bowl, including on some of its black diamond runs.

“We’re excited to replace the Rose Bowl Lift this summer with a new high speed quad that will not only allow our guests to better utilize the terrain in Rose Bowl and Stone Creek Chutes through a friendlier and shorter chairlift ride, but it also helps shift some of the density we currently see on Centennial Express Lift, which is very important in offering our guests a greater experience,” said Doug Lovell, chief operating officer for Beaver Creek Resort.

Vail’s huge end-of-the-season bash with free concerts from national headliners, on-snow events, street parties. And don’t miss the greatest spectacle of all – the World Pond Skimming Championships. A celebration of spring and the end of a great ski season, this is an event that you will not want to miss.

Mardi Gras festivities include a parade, free street parties and plenty of Mardi Gras beads.

Fat Tuesday, Vail Village
Join the CarniVail fun on March 8 for Fat Tuesday. Come out for the Bud Light Street Party in Vail Village which begins at 3 p.m. and includes the Fat Tuesday Parade at 4 p.m. followed by a free concert from Frogs Gone Fishin’ at Checkpoint Charlie.
www.vail.com/carnivail

CarniVail Street Party, Friday in Vail Village
The CarniVail fun rolls into Friday with a free concert from zydeco legends Buckwheat Zydeco at 6 p.m. at Solaris in Vail Village, presented by Grand Marnier. Buckwheat Zydeco, hailing from Lafayette, La., will have guests of all ages boogieing to the Buckwheat beat.
www.vail.com/carnivail

Pretty lights wraps up the first day with electronic music and a light show at the Notthngham Park in Avon. The festival continues today with  music from 2pm until 10pm. More than 40 bands will be performing this weekend.

BEAVER CREEK, Colorado — On March 13, Beaver Creek Resort’s operating hours will change to coincide with daylight savings. All lifts at Beaver Creek will open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. These hours will remain in effect on the mountain through closing day, April 17.

Skiers and riders will be able to take advantage of the longer sunny days and still experience the same amount of ski time. The following lifts will operate until 4:30 p.m. each day:

• Buckaroo Express Gondola (Lift 1).

• Centennial Express Lift (Chair 6).

• StrawberryParkExpress Lift (Chair 12).