New life for a beautiful ski area in southern Colorado, in Huerfano County, seems to be a real thing. This makes it a FOUND ski area instead of a lost one. Yay! We hope it lasts for the area’s people and that it is an ongoing success.
Our second book Lost Ski Areas of Colorado’s Central and Southern Mountains details the history of Cuchara in Huerfano County. It operated as Cuchara Ski Basin for about two decades, 1950-1970, a half mile north of the town of Cuchara, with a rope tow and then a platter lift, and five runs. In 1981, skiing returned to the valley when a new area opened southwest of Cuchara, but it closed again in 2000. It was known as Cuchara Valley Ski Area or Panadero. Several attempts to reopen the area failed thereafter, which are detailed in our book, but area residents did not give up.
According to KKTV, Cuchara Mountain Park opened for the 2024-2025 Ski Season on December 14, 2024, with the help of state government. “The Panadero Ski Corporation received a grant through the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).” The grant amounted to $250,000.
Seven runs will be available for skiers. No lifts are operating yet, but a sled pulled by a snowcat transports skiers, which is very back to the future as far as Colorado skiing goes. The Facebook page for Panadero Ski Corporation gives details.
Good luck and Happy New Year, Cuchara Mountain Park. Here’s to a great future!