Ski Bluewood Announces First High Speed Lift

Ski Bluewood in Columbia County, Washington, just 21 miles from Dayton, recently announced that they are replacing their fixed-grip triple, Skyline Express, with a high-speed detachable quad.

This new lift marks significant progress for the resort's initially proposed 2021 Master Development Plan. A recent Instagram post from the resort showed that work has begun on the lift. Take a look at what the triple looks like currently, below.

Under their larger improvement plan, other upgrades for 2024-25 include the relocation of their base yurt, and upgrading snowmaking infrastructure "to address early season snow variability and provide a more predictable opening date each winter," they wrote in a press release.

Last season, Bluewood's '23-'24 upgrades included a new snow cat, a remodeling of their pub, the addition of a BBQ station, and the fixing of the potholes around the resort.

Buck Lewis, VP and spokesperson for the Bluewood Ownership Group, said about the chair upgrade, "we couldn’t be more excited about the purchase of a high-speed quad for Bluewood. This new chair will greatly decrease seat time and increase ride time on the hill, providing a much more enjoyable day on the mountain. We’re eager to welcome our longtime locals and new riders alike to share in the incredible Bluewood experience. This is a fantastic milestone for our resort and community.”

Bluewood will begin work on the installation in April 2025.

The chair will facilitate more than just faster skiing access: it will also allow the resort to activate summer mountain biking, a wedding and event venue at the top of the mountain, overnight stays and other activities at the resort.

Bluewood’s General Manager, Pete Korfiatis, said, "it’s truly a special time to be part of a massive team that’s building out a vision, ultimately providing strength to not only Bluewood but the surrounding communities as well.”

In the press release, Bluewood again extended gratitude to the U.S. Forest Service and all other Government Agencies for "their invaluable knowledge and guidance throughout this endeavor."

Walla Walla District Ranger, Johnny Collin, echoed this thought back to the resort, noting that “Bluewood is a longstanding, treasured resource for winter recreation in our region... For the Umatilla National Forest, being a good neighbor to our surrounding communities means making sure they have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Forest and all the benefits it can provide.”

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