Eclipse Snow Park: The Rebirth of a Ski Area, Ready-made for Denver Daytrippers
As Julie Dunn reported last week in the Denver Post, a new ski area in close proximity to the Denver metro area is expected to open by next winter. Michael Coors, yes, that Coors, is planning to open the nearly 300-acre Eclipse Snow Park on the site of what used to be St. Mary's ski area. The park sounds like it will be geared towards the younger set, the grommers and shredders and day-trippers from Denver who are sick of getting stuck on the wrong side of the Eisenhower Tunnel on a Sunday afternoon. Less than 50 miles from Denver, Eclipse Snow Park promises big snow, late-season skiing, and all kinds of off-piste tricks and treats.
Of course, nearby Echo Mountain disputes that there is sufficient demand to support two small ski resorts in the area. And there are local concerns about environmental impact and waste and water issues, but as the Post article explains, the zoning and permitting process appears to be moving forward without too much contention.
Eclipse will also continue the trend of ski areas targeting the new generation of skiers and boarders with terrain parks and backcountry-style terrain, along with the ready-made marketing pitch that Denverites will only have to be on I-70 for "22 minutes." We'll see...
