Editor’s note: Cuchara Mountain Park’s “ski bus” started running over the weekend (Dec. 14-15) for skiers interested in a ride up the slopes of the formerly abandoned ski area. Nonprofit Panadero Ski Corp. will be selling $40 tickets on Saturdays and Sundays when conditions allow.

If the saga of a southern Colorado ski area revival was compared with terrain, a recent chapter would be described as rocky. But leaders see smoother groomers ahead.

“I think we’re in good shape,” said Huerfano County Administrator Carl Young, speaking to the relationship between the county that owns Cuchara Mountain Park and the nonprofit that has worked to return organized skiing to the historic base area.

Last month, county commissioners voted to extend a memorandum of understanding allowing Panadero Ski Corp. to continue operations this winter and spring. The unanimous vote came with a pledge to finalize details of a longterm agreement — a change in tone from early this year, when the relationship was scrutinized. 

“The sooner we can get to a longterm agreement, the better,” Young advised commissioners.

It was important, he said, for the sake of multiple grants — hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been committed to the county’s vision at Cuchara Mountain Park.

That includes $250,000 announced Monday by Gov. Jared Polis’ office.

The announcement marked “the largest infrastructure project to receive funding through the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation grant.”

In a news release, officials spoke of the old ski area opening up possibilities for one of the state’s poorest counties.

“We are thrilled to support the reopening of Cuchara Mountain Park in Huerfano County,” said Eve Lieberman, executive director of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “When community-based recreation areas thrive, local economies do too. Nearby businesses can expand operating hours, seasonal jobs become year-round, and quality of life improves for residents.”

The park would be a place for underserved youth, Conor Hall suggested. Native to the park’s surrounding San Luis Valley, Hall directs the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office.

“By offering beginner-friendly and affordable skiing and snowboarding, Cuchara will help ensure that more Coloradans can access outdoor recreation and become life-long skiers and riders,” he said.

Central to the vision is a chairlift that has sat dormant since operators abandoned the former resort in 2001, following decades of starts and stops. The goal since 2017 has been to return that lift to working, certified order.

That’s when Cuchara Foundation purchased the old ski base and transferred the 50 acres to the county — to be called Cuchara Mountain Park, with skiing to go along with hiking and biking trails, youth camps, concerts and stargazing. The cash-strapped county would own the land and oversee an operator to carry costly insurance, utilities and maintenance.

But the vision has faltered over the years, with rejected proposals leading to the rise of Panadero Ski Corp. Panadero has pitched an arrangement not unlike several municipal-owned, nonprofit-run ski areas in the West.

But the team of volunteers and former ski industry workers came under controversy last year, as Huerfano County commissioners questioned conduct and handling of the old lift.

“It’s taken a lot of work over the summer and last spring to mend relationships with the county,” said Panadero treasurer Ken Clayton. “And we feel like they’re great partners right now, and we’re looking forward to working with them for a long time.”

Following talks about expectations and operating plans, the feeling is mutual, the county administrator said.

“The only concern I have is getting us to a place where (Panadero) can hire staff to make everything work,” Young said. “But there’s no question in my mind that these guys have put a lot of thought, effort, passion and ingenuity into making this the best it can be for this community.”

Sides maintain hope of reviving the lift to charge for rides and build a revenue base. In the meantime, Panadero has collected donations, hosted special events and sought grants to pay for upgrades, including new snowmaking guns and pipeline.

The nonprofit has also sold $200 season passes and $40 tickets to ride the “ski bus” — an open-air trailer of passengers hauled uphill by a snowcat. The aim is to offer rides every Saturday and Sunday as conditions allow.

The old runs seen from afar continue to attract skiers earning their turns as well. 

“We love uphill traffic,” Clayton said. “That fills half our parking lot after every storm.”