Construction of Cat Alley, the 950-foot access road, began in May and was completed in early November of this year. Previously, snowcats and snowmobiles coming from the Vail Shop Yard, located on the north side of the South Frontage Road across from West Lionshead Circle had been using the western portion of Forest Road to access the mountain for operations and maintenance of the ski area. Concerns over the maintenance of Forest Road as well as the nuisance factor led to the development of Cat Alley.

The location of the road - through a light industrial area at the rear of the waste water treatment plant and with little impact to residential neighborhoods - was identified after working with the Town of Vail and evaluating several alternatives. Cat Alley is also an integral part of the proposed development of Ever Vail and an even more efficient maintenance shop, which would continue to utilize the new access road. Cat Alley is not accessible to skiers and snowboarders; guests who wish to ski or ride back to Cascade Village will continue to have access to the Cascade Way trail.

The new 2,500-square-foot Lionshead utility building was also completed in early November after also breaking ground in May. It was designed to fit with the existing buildings, using similar materials such as stucco, stone façades, wood trim and pavers. The building provides men's and women's public restrooms and is also the new home for the ski tuning and rental pickups for the Vail Children's Snowsports School in Lionshead.