Latest West Lionshead plan calls for new gondola, hotel, 12,000-square-foot event space
Vail Town Council to consider amendments to area's master plan
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After nearly a year of renewed planning efforts on the West Lionshead site formerly known as Ever Vail, the Vail Town Council is set to review changes to the Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan, which could kick off a redevelopment effort on the parcel.
The 13-acre West Lionshead parcel is bordered by Interstate 70 to the north, Gore Creek to the south and Lionshead Village to the east. In October, a partnership between the town of Vail, Vail Resorts and East West Partners was announced as a result of the Booth Heights acquisition negotiations, with Vail Resorts agreeing to drop an appeal of the acquisition in exchange for the town’s commitment in recommencing master planning efforts on the parcel.
“Since then, the partnership has been working on the proposed amendments to the (Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan) and held numerous public listening sessions and community open houses to receive regular feedback throughout the process,” according to a memo from the town’s Community Development Department published Friday.
The revised plan rebrands the area as “West Lionshead” and replaces some of the master plan’s prescriptive language with more flexible guidance aimed at enabling a modern base village.
The concept plan identifies several cornerstone elements: a new gondola would carry guests up from the site, while a ski-back trail would allow for return access from the mountain. A new hotel with 100–120 rooms is envisioned at the base, along with a 12,000-square-foot event space connected to a plaza, described as a “ski beach” gathering spot similar in scale to Eagle’s Nest or Mid-Vail. The plan also includes pedestrian bridges over Gore Creek, improved pedestrian and vehicle circulation, and new transit options that would help relieve pressure on the main Lionshead Parking Structure.
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To address workforce needs, the proposal includes placeholders for deed-restricted employee housing units (called EHUs) within the project area, although the exact number, location and configuration have yet to be determined.
Several existing mountain operations functions currently located on-site — such as snowmaking storage, maintenance and lift operations — would be relocated either to adjacent Vail Resorts’ properties or up the mountain.
Other updates include language on protecting ecological values along Gore Creek and Red Sandstone Creek, new standards for view corridors and building massing, and refined mobility goals.
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The town’s planning and environmental commission, in July, recommended that the Town Council approve the changes. The council is expected to take public input at Tuesday’s afternoon meeting, expected to begin at approximately 2:30 p.m., after listening to a presentation from the applicant and providing feedback.
The plan still has a long approval process ahead including rezoning, subdivision and major design applications.
According the West Lionshead development’s new mission statement, the goal is to create “a transformative, new Vail Mountain base village that provides access to the mountain, an unparalleled public realm for all people to enjoy, and retail, hotels and condominiums that reflect the inspiring quality of life the Vail Valley offers.”
