Skyline Express – Bluewood Ski Area Sues Over Chairlift Delay
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Shortly after announcing that the long-awaited Skyline Express lift wouldn’t be ready for the 2025-26 ski season, Washington's Bluewood Ski Area has taken the dispute to court.
In the meantime, passholders this season will get a $100 credit for their troubles.
WGSKI, LLC, the resort’s parent company, filed suit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against Steelhead Systems Inc., Mar Divina Ltd., and their principal, Zrinko Amerl. The complaint alleges breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment. The arguments relate to the procurement and delivery of Bluewood’s first-ever high-speed quad, for which they paid $2,206,000 USD.
The suit alleges that Ameri breached the agreement in a number of ways. Read the full documents here.
(a) failing to adequately provide the services rendered in a timely or commercially
reasonable manner;
(b) failing to adequately inform and keep WGSKI apprised of developments with
respect to progress on relevant issues like shipping and currency exchange;
(c) the defendants' failure to act in a commercially reasonable manner to protect
WGSKI's interests and obtain commercially reasonable results (e.g., shipping
fees) for WGSKI's benefit; and
(d) not understanding their actual costs, which resulted in the invoices being rendered
for inflated and unjustifiable amounts.
Paid For, But Not Delivered: Skyline Express
Bluewood entered into a purchase agreement in June 2024 and paid in full for the Skyline Express lift package. But key components remain undelivered, leaving construction stuck in limbo. The ski area accuses the defendants of acting “in bad faith,” and is seeking immediate delivery of the equipment along with damages and additional remedies.
Intended to replace the aging Skyline Triple this season, the Skyline Express likely won't be running until 2027. Without the necessary parts, Bluewood couldn't begin dismantling the current lift. After all, the ski area only has 2 lifts total. They couldn't risk a 1 lift operation.
Progress on the Ground
Despite the legal battle, groundwork hasn’t gone to waste. Crews completed tower pad excavation, concrete foundations, and site prep at both terminals. The stage is set for a quick install once the equipment finally shows up.
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Passholder Compensation
To make good with its community, the resort is offering $100 credits to all 2025-26 season passholders, redeemable anywhere on the mountain, from dining to lessons.
Located near Dayton, Washington, Bluewood is a small ski area in Southeast Washington and is a member of the Indy Pass. The Skyline Express project is the most ambitious upgrade in the resort’s history, promising to boost uphill capacity by 25 percent and drastically cut lift times when it’s finally spinning.
For now, the matter sits before the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Bluewood hopes the legal action will accelerate the lift's completion. Until then, skiers will have to keep lapping the old Skyline Triple.
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