Cuchara Valley Resort - Cuchara, CO - a once booming ski resort that survived economic hardship and management changes

Cuchara Valley Resort is a ski area that can be found at 946 Panadero Avenue in Cuchara, Colorado. In 1993 the resort was listed as for sale at a cost of just below four million dollars due to a lack of snow. The resort was purchased from John Lau by Curtis Bruner during 2003. Lau had closed the facility in 2000 and was unresponsive to requests made by the Forest Service. The operating permit for the facility closed during the time that it was closed meaning Bruner had to convince officials to allow him to reopen the facility.

The Cuchara Valley Resort had to meet the standards the agency set forth in order to reopen and he did not have support from the local public. The resort was first it was a good place for a resort. Today there are a number of activities available at the developed during 1908 when Mr. and Mrs. George Mayes moved into the valley and decided that facility.

During 1862 La Veta was settled after a fort was build by Henry Daigre and Colonel John M. Franciso for protection and commerce in the area. The town survived in part by the arrival of the railroad because there was no blood loss needed to resolve issues with Native Americans in the area. La Veta is to Cuchara's North East and was once vital to the area providing supplies and somewhere to trade goods.

Fort Francisco Historic Museum was built in La Veta during 1862. The museum offers something to do when you need a break from skiing and is conveniently close to lodging at the resort. The resort offers opportunities for activities in the summer as well as the winter for those that don't want to go skiing.

The Cuchara Valley Resort currently has three double chairs and no expert terrain. The facility does have forty percent of terrain for beginners and intermediate and only twenty percent advanced terrain. There are five lifts and twenty-eight runs on the two hundred and thirty skiable acres at the resort. There are one hundred and ninety-six snowmaking areas and a snowboard park at the resort.

The summit elevation at the resort is over ten thousand feet. During the summer there are activities such as golf, fishing, hiking and even horseback riding for guests at the resort. The fees for lift tickets vary by age and are subject to change; discounts for multiple days are available and complete information can be obtained by contacting Cuchara Valley Resort directly. The typical ski season at the resort is from the middle of December to late March.

Today Cuchara Valley Resort is under the management of Cuchara Mountain Management and offers and inn, cabins or condos to choose from during your stay. Anyone that likes to ski, hike or just relax should make it a point to visit the resort if they are ever in the Cuchara, Colorado area. Directions, pricing and reservation information can be obtained by contacting the facility directly for the information.