To mark the anniversary, a reunion is being held at the new lodge at Cockaigne Resort from 4-10 p.m. According to Cockaigne’s Facebook page, all past employees, season ticket holders, friends and family are welcome to attend the reunion. People are asked to stop in with any photos, flyers, old season passes or memories to share. There will also be drink and dinner specials at the new Base Pub inside the new lodge at Cockaigne. The new lodge also includes a meeting and dining area called The Glen and a new pool, darts, foosball and arcade on the second floor titled The Loft.

Cockaigne opened in the winter of 1966. Its original lodge was built as the Austrian pavilion for the World’s Fair held in New York City in 1964 before it was brought to Cherry Creek. In 2011, the fire, which could reportedly be seen from 5 miles away, burned the original lodge at what was then known as the Cockaigne Ski Resort.

SKI OPENING

Nicholas Teresko, Cockaigne skiing/snowboard director, told The Post-Journal there is no definitive date yet for when the resort will be open for skiing this year.

P-J file photos

“We are hoping to open sometime in February,” he said.

According to Cockaigne’s Facebook page, resort officials are working hard to improve some last minute safety features for the aerial lifts.

“While untimely, making the necessary upgrades to our safety features is of the utmost importance to Cockaigne Resort,” the message stated. “We do expect to be open this season. We will update our website (cockaigne.com) and social media accounts with any new information.”

Last month, Jason Spain, Cockaigne general manager, told The Post-Journal that Cockaigne officials are working with state officials on the certifications needed to reopen. He said Cockaigne officials have hired a consultant to help with the certification process, especially with the renovated lift at the resort. He added that once the consultant approves of the upgrades, state officials will inspect Cockaigne so the resort can open for ski season.

“There has been a lot of extra steps because we are starting again,” Spain said last month.

Once skiing is allowed at Cockaigne again, Teresko said there will be a “big celebration” to welcome everybody back to the resort, located at 1493 Thornton Road, Cherry Creek. Along with skiing, the resort will be open for snowboarding and snowmobiling.