The Mt. Charleston Lodge burned in September 2021. Five winters later, the spot at the top of Kyle Canyon is concrete slabs and pillars. Over on the Lee Canyon side, lift towers for a brand-new chairlift went into the ground on September 28.
Put those two pictures side by side and you can see how this season on the mountain is set up. Kyle Canyon is busy rebuilding: the Lodge, Mary Jane Falls Trail and the Trail Canyon parking areas are all under construction. Lee Canyon is where the new things are opening. If you live up here, or drive up every weekend, that split affects where you'll spend your snow days for the next year or two.
Lee Canyon is adding three lifts this winter
The biggest change for 2026-27 is the West Bowl. Lee Canyon's project page describes a new fixed-grip quad serving five new trails. A new surface lift and a rope tow go in alongside it, which takes the resort from five lifts to eight.
FOX5 reported that the Wild West Bowl chair spans 1,370 feet. General manager Josh Bean told the station, "To see this finally taking place is going to change what Lee Canyon does for Las Vegas and how people will use the mountain." He also said the job wasn't done yet: "We're still clearing trees and we have snowmaking going into the ground." In the same FOX5 piece, Bean said he hopes the strong El Niño forecast brings plenty of snow.
Here's what's on the calendar:
- Opening day: Lee Canyon's lift ticket page lists November 20 for the 26/27 season, and tickets are already on sale starting at $9 plus $10 in Lee Cash. The early-October FOX5 story said the season would start in December, so check the resort's site as the date gets closer. Opening depends on the weather.
- The new chair: FOX5 reported it is expected to run once the season begins. Until the resort says it's spinning, treat that as the plan.
- Beginner terrain: Bean told FOX5 the rope tow and a magic carpet are both new to the beginner area. That helps if you have young kids or out-of-town guests who have never skied.
- Passes: Every passholder gets an RFID card this winter. The season pass page says nearly every pass also includes six 50%-off lift tickets for friends and family.
Three new lifts in one season is a big expansion for a resort of Lee Canyon's size. It also lands in the same years that Kyle Canyon has the least to offer.
Kyle Canyon is still mostly construction
The Lodge: foundation in place, no finish date
News 3 reported on January 19, 2026 that construction on the new Mt. Charleston Lodge had started. By June 22, 8 News Now found the foundation in place and building materials stacked on site. The station said plenty of work remained.
8 News Now also reported on the plans. The renderings show two levels, parking for more than 100 cars and a dining area for more than 700 people, plus outdoor space. The layout pays homage to the original, and Steelman Partners is helping with the design. The Lodge's own site calls the reopening "coming soon," and its cabins are open and taking reservations while the rebuild goes on. 8 News Now reported that no date has been set for construction to wrap up.
The trails: some open, some closed until 2027 or later
Damage from Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023 still shapes Kyle Canyon. The Forest Service closure order for storm-damaged areas was last updated June 16, 2026, and runs through May 12, 2027 unless it's lifted sooner.
The closures that matter most are getting fixed. The Review-Journal reported on June 2 that crews had started rebuilding Mary Jane Falls Trail and improving the Mary Jane Falls and Trail Canyon parking lots. People were asked to stay out of the work zones. The Forest Service's most recent estimates are fall 2027 for Mary Jane Falls and 2029 for Bristlecone. Those are targets, not promises.
Here's where things stand, based on Go Mt. Charleston's status pages from early August 2026:
| Spot | Status | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Jane Falls Trailhead and Trail | Closed | Rebuild started June 2026; Forest Service target is fall 2027 |
| Trail Canyon Trailhead and Trail | Closed | Parking lot work underway; no confirmed reopening date |
| Upper Bristlecone Trailhead and Trail | Closed | Forest Service target is 2029 |
| Powerline Access Road | Closed | Listed under the closure order |
| Lower Bristlecone Trailhead and Trail | Open | Partial, out-and-back hike since May 24, 2024 |
| Little Falls Trail | Open | Reached from Cathedral Rock Trailhead |
| South Loop Trail | Open | Reached from Cathedral Rock Trailhead |
| Mack's Canyon Road | Open | Fully reopened July 24, 2026 |
| Deer Creek Picnic Area | Open | Listed open on the Aug. 7 update |
Cathedral Rock Trail and Echo aren't in the table because Go Mt. Charleston's pages list them differently. The weekly update shows Cathedral Rock Trail and Echo Trailhead as open. The closures page still lists Cathedral Rock Trail, Echo Road and Echo Trailhead as closed. Before you head up for those, check the Forest Service closure map or call the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway.
If you'd like to help with the trail repairs, Go Mt. Charleston has a volunteer sign-up for updates on work days.
Where to eat and hang out before the snow
There's no date yet for the new Lodge dining room, but a few places are open now.
Lee Canyon base area. The fall hours page has Brewin' Burro and Bristlecone Bar open Friday through Sunday. For the October 30 to November 1 weekend, Brewin' Burro runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Bristlecone Bar runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bighorn Grill is closed for now.
Bluegrass at Bristlecone Bar. Lee Canyon's events listing shows Acoustic Bluegrass Weekends starting October 23, with music Friday through Sunday from noon. The fall hours schedule ends November 1, so the October 30 to November 1 weekend is the last one on it before ski season.
Kyle Canyon. The Retreat on Charleston Peak has its Canyon Restaurant, which is open to the public, along with a lounge and bar. Its site doesn't post current hours, so give them a call before you drive up for dinner. The Lodge cabins are still open for stays if you have family coming for the holidays and want to put them up close to the snow.
Snow days on SR 156 and SR 157
Once the snow comes, the drive up gets crowded quickly. Go Mt. Charleston's snow season guidance suggests arriving before 9 a.m. on busy snow days. It also warns that law enforcement may control access, and that SR 156, 157 and 158 can see delays or temporary closures.
NDOT's Mt. Charleston winter safety page says parking is restricted on certain stretches of SR 157 and SR 156 from December through March, and illegally parked cars can be ticketed and towed. With more new terrain at Lee Canyon this year, SR 156 may be the road to watch on powder mornings.
Mahalo for reading. Whether you're up here full time or keep a cabin for weekends, I'm glad to share what I hear from the mountain as the West Bowl opens and the Lodge keeps going up. If you have questions about life near Lee Canyon or Kyle Canyon, or a Hawaii ʻohana member asking what winter is like on Mt. Charleston, reach out to Randy Hatada. Let's Connect.
