Wyoming Ski Area’s Plan To Replace Chairlift Gains Momentum
Casper, Wyoming — The city-owned Hogadon Basin ski area is in need of a new chairlift.
Installed in 1981, the fixed-grip double chairlift has served Casperites for around 45 years. However, it’s the only lift there that serves the whole mountain. City officials knew it was time for a change after a mechanical failure in 2024 made the ski area close a couple of weeks earlier than desired. In response, the city asked voters to approve a new tax that would fund its replacement. People from Wyoming do not like taxes, so they voted that down.
Despite that setback, the lift replacement has remained a priority for the city. As the home mountain for many, it’s a critical hub for youth sports. If the lift were to have a catastrophic failure, it would affect the future of where many in Central Wyoming ski.
Lift Casper
In response, a new campaign has been started to replace the chairlift. Lift Casper is intended to raise money from the local community toward a new lift. They also got a boost thanks to a local grant. Oil City News reported earlier this month that the city recieved a $150,000 grant from the Natrona County Recreation Joint Powers Board. This money will go towards the purchase of the chairlift. A 10% facility fee was added in 2025, which has also helped somewhat with the push to replace it. The cost of the chairlift and installation is expected to be over $4 million.
The plan is to install a new fixed-grip quad chairlift. This chairlift would carry an uphill capacity of 1,500 people per hour, reducing lift lines. The chairlift would feature counterbalancing, allowing Hogadon Basin riders to use both sides of the chair, leading to summer operations. This could lead to the offering of mountain biking in the summer. A loading gate and conveyor would make loading easier for beginners and adaptive skiers. The goal is to make the lift purchase this fall and replace the chairlift in 2027.
The upgrades would also come with new night lights. With lights planned for the Dreadnaught trail and the terrain park, they would be able to open more terrain for night skiing.
To help out with the cause, you can learn more about the donor opportunities here.
Image/Video Credits: Hogadon Basin (City of Casper)
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