CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The main destination ski resort in Jackson Hole is preparing to replace one of its lifts and make terrain changes for next ski season.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort officials announced Tuesday they will replace the 38-year-old Casper Lift at a cost of about $5 million.

The existing, three-chair lift can carry just short of 1,200 people per hour. The new Casper Lift will have four-passenger, detachable chairs and will carry up to 2,000 people an hour.

The new lift will be almost three times as fast, getting people up more than 1,000 feet of terrain in 3½ minutes. That's compared to about 10 minutes now.

The resort also plans to remove rocks and grade terrain to better accommodate intermediate-level skiers. The terrain improvements will cost about $400,000.

More From K2 Radio