According to Cockaigne Resort’s Facebook page, skiing will start at 10 a.m. Saturday. The post said Cockaigne will be closed Thursday in order for the team to finish last minute preparations for the opening of the winter season.

Cockaigne, located at 1493 Thornton Road, Cherry Creek, will reopen food and beverage Friday at 4 p.m. and this will also mark the introduction of their new dining venues — The Quick Turn Cafe and The Loft Hillside Restaurant. The Quick Turn Cafe will provide food designed for easy access and a quick return to the mountain. The Loft Hillside Restaurant is “an elevated menu with an elevated view.” The restaurant will be first come, first served, with reservations highly recommended. Doors will open Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 4 p.m., with the last seating at 8 p.m. For dinner reservations at The Loft, call 287-3223.

Attempts by the OBSERVER to contact Cockaigne officials were unsuccessful. However, Bill Young, Cherry Creek town supervisor, said he is excited for Cockaigne to be open for the first time since the January 2011 fire that destroyed the Austrian pavilion lodge that was built for the World’s Fair held in New York City in 1964.

“That was certainly devastating for Cherry Creek and the surrounding area,” he said. “We hope it will reopen. It’s been four years in the making from when they first started talking about reopening. The town of Cherry Creek has supported them financially, emotionally and we will support them anyway we can. We want to see them succeed and be a huge success.”

Pictured above, the new lodge at Cockaigne Resort, which will reopen for skiing at 10 a.m. Saturday for the first time since the fire that burnt down the former lodge in January 2011. Photos by Dennis Phillips

Young said town residents have been anticipating the reopening of Cockaigne.

“The locals have been supporting the restaurant and the horse trail system up there already, and the next step is to support the skiing,” he said. “I can remember when I was a kid in high school. It was the place to be. Everyone learned in the area how to ski at Cockaigne and it was fun, fun, fun.”

According to cockaigne.com, the COVID-19 operation plan will be in compliance with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders. Cockaigne will be permitted 50% occupancy within the lodge with standardized social distancing throughout the facility. Cockaigne officials are encouraging guests to purchase their ski passes online in advance to expedite the check in process upon arrival. Lift ticket purchase on-site is outside at the ticketing windows as you enter the lodge.

Ski Rentals are housed within the lodge and accommodations are being made to store shoes with the rental shop in accordance with COVID-19 practices. All other items need to be stored within your vehicle or on your person.

The lift corrals will be monitored so that groups of 10 or less that arrive together can be together as they stage for lifts. Anyone not together will remain six feet apart as they work their way up to the lifts. Any members of the party can ride together on the lift.

The resort hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit cockaigne.com