With the 2026-2027 ski season finally starting to get closer, Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe recently began load testing on Blazing Zephyr chairlift. Thanks to its base elevation of 8,290 feet, the highest around Lake Tahoe, Mt Rose has consistently been the first ski resort in the region to open each season, year after year, and it appears to be getting a head-start by already testing out the systems and brakes on one of its main lifts.
The high-speed, detachable six-pack is located on the Slide Mountain side of the resort, providing access directly from Winters Creek Lodge to the summit. In order to simulate being under real-world weight, workers took cardboard boxes lined with plastic bags, then filled them with water and loaded them onto the lift. As a result, each box carries 22 gallons of water and weighs in at 183 pounds.
Mt Rose’s winter season is still a couple months away. It’s projected opening date is Nov. 20. However, with some careful planning and expertise, tons of water, and a hard-working crew, this full-capacity load testing on Zephyr brings us another step, and day, closer to skiing and riding.
