One of the new lifts is a high-speed detachable quad that will be 800 feet longer than the lift it’s replacing. The other new lift, a fixed-grip quad, will access six new intermediate trails and one new novice trail on the east side of the mountain. Both lifts are manufactured by Leitner-Poma.

All seven of the new trails will have snowmaking. To handle the additional terrain, Cascade is adding three 400 horsepower pumps, which will bring its total snowmaking capacity to 8,400 gallons of water per minute. The resort also purchased a new Prinoth Bison X grooming machine.

The idea of expanding the area’s terrain started when owner Rob Walz’s parents owned the mountain. “My dad always envisioned using the far east side of Cascade for an expansion, and he started cutting trails many years ago,” said Walz. “But the time has come to reach the next level for Cascade. Our customers will appreciate the new intermediate trails, which are longer than what we have on Cascade’s west side.”

Additional infrastructure improvements include creating a larger cafeteria on the ground level of the Peak Lodge, remodeling the resort’s entranceway, and paving the entire parking lot.

Phase II of Cascade’s expansion plan includes another chairlift and six new trails, plus additional parking and a new lodge on the far east side.

Phase III will add one more chairlift and six trails. Upon completion of Phase III, Cascade Mountain will have 11 chairlifts, three surface lifts, 55 trails, and a snow tubing park.