Steamboat’s Newest Terrain: Mahogany Ridge & Fish Creek Canyon
Beginning this winter, Steamboat Resort will officially become the second largest ski resort in Colorado with the addition of 650 acres of advanced/expert terrain. A previously out-of-bounds area that has been skied for years will soon be in-bounds at Steamboat Resort. Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon will offer advanced/expert skiers and riders exciting new terrain that will be maintained and patrolled.
Located lookers left of Middle Rib off Pony Express, Mahogany Ridge will offer Steamboat guests an experience similar to Closets and Shadows. Mahogany Ridge Lift Line and Edge of the World Trail running along the rim of Fish Creek Canyon, are the only distinct runs cut in the area, and mostly the terrain will feature Steamboat’s infamous glade skiing and riding. This new in-bounds area will be serviced by the new Mahogany Ridge Express chairlift which will transport guests back up to a point where they will be able to traverse back to the top of Pony Express lift.
Along with Mahogany Ridge, Fish Creek Canyon will also be an in-bounds, patrolled area with access through six different gates. This extreme, expert-only double black terrain will be mitigated for avalanches and patrolled by Steamboat’s amazing ski patrol team. This terrain will feature steep cliffs and a 45-minute hike back to the bottom of Mahogany Ridge Express if you choose to ski or ride the canyon. The Resort is hard at work making comprehensive signage to guide guests through these areas, including imagery to show upcoming cliffs and offering suggested routes.
Crews are working to complete the Mahogany Ridge Express chairlift (which is on schedule) and to remove standing dead trees and cut known ski lines. The previous yurt at the top of Pony Express is being converted into a new ski patrol station that will have up to 10 patrollers on duty each day. Patrol will have the Mahogany Ridge area fully roped off with a couple access points off Pony along with the six access gates to Fish Creek Canyon in place come winter. With very clear and straightforward roping and signage in place, all guests will know exactly what they are getting into when they venture into these two new advanced and expert zones.
“This is really exciting, to offer new terrain that we know skis well, and features that Steamboat tree experience,” explains Jon Feiges, Assistant Director of Ski Patrol.
Mahogany Ridge and Fish Creek Canyon will debut this winter season when there is enough snow and patrol deems the area skiable. And certainly not for the faint of heart, Mahogany Ridge and especially Fish Creek Canyon are for advanced/expert skiers and riders only. Steamboat Resort is taking every step to keep guests as safe as possible with proper roping, detailed signage, avalanche mitigation and patrolled slopes, but ultimately it is up to you to determine if you are ready for Steamboat’s newest terrain.
Written by Erin Campbell
