08/09 Mountain Improvements

Mountain Improvements - a big waste of money or why didn’t they do it sooner?

Have you ever heard your local resort toss about these unbelievable numbers like, $14 million in improvements this year or $50 million in improvements over the last few years and wondered, what do they do with all that money?  We did too, so we looked it up.  Check it out!

My local mountain, Steamboat, has been on a renovation spree, trying to revamp the entire base area, improve the lift system, the parking situation, the roads getting you to the mountain and more.  The 2006/2007 season brought 7+ million of improvements,  2007/2008 (14+ million) brought the new Christie Peak express lift (much needed), a new kid’s cafeteria, new snowmaking equipment, various regrades by the base, and automatic external defibrillators (It’s ok, I don’t know what those are either.)  So, what’s new for this year?  4+ million of fabulous improvements coming your way that are in no way exciting… more snowmaking equipment (what, we didn’t get enough snow last year?), master planning, meadows parking lot expansion (for those that don’t know, this is the parking lot that is forever away anyway), a Steamboat Ski & Sport downtown, and information technology.  What this translates as to me is lots of money spent with little visible result and horrible traffic situations due to the new roundabout that is taking 500 years to finish.

So, Aspen Snowmass, did you do a better job of wasting/spending your money?  From what I read and hear, it sounds like they did.  Aspen is one of those resorts (if not the only one) that has hit the $50 million mark on improvements made in the last 3 years.  At Snowmass, they are revamping the lift infrastructure as part of the new base area plan, which also includes new restaurants and entertainment.  This year’s lift of choice is the Sheer Bliss lift.  This replacement apparently should have come ages ago with the description of the older lift being so painful to the point that it cut off circulation in your legs and by the time you got to the top of the 16 minute ride, you had lost all feeling in your lower extremities. Ouch.  With the new lift, they have doubled the capacity per hour, and cut the length of ride down to only 9 minutes allowing Snowmass locals to access the entertaining terrain that the Sheer Bliss lift offers up.  Snowmass also has a new $9 million restaurant opening for the 2008/2009 season at the top of the Sam’s Knob lift.  I can’t really come to terms with how a restaurant can cost $2 million more than an entire new lift… but Aspen says it is so.  At Aspen Highlands, a new run has been added to the Temerity area, and Buttermilk has added a 22-foot Olympic-sized half pipe to their already gigantic park features. 

But, who wins the award for coolest improvement this season?  We believe it is Mount Snow in Vermont where they are dedicating an entire mountain face (Carinthia) to freestyle terrain.  The peak/park will cover nearly 5 square miles and include a snowskate playground, hikable park, beginners’ learning park, skate ramp, tree-skiing area, a superpipe with 18 foot walls, a mini-pipe with 8 foot walls, an all-natural park absent of man-made materials (sweet!), a big-air area, and overall 125 features scattered around 12 full terrain parks.  Not only that, but the base lodge of Carinthia is being renovated with lounge areas, an extended outdoor deck, extra window counter seating, free wireless internet, flat screen TVs and outdoor fire pits.  Did anyone say lodge party?

We emailed resorts to see what other noteworthy improvements are in the works.  The most common improvements included the expansion of gladed terrain, additional snowmaking, eco-friendly initiatives, and high-tech computerized lift ticket scanning systems.  Here’s some of the details:

Monarch, CO

Arapahoe Basin, CO 
A-Basin has expanded their parking, and provided a new pedestrian tunnel to access the parking area, so you won’t have to risk death crossing the highway anymore.  They’ve also expanded snowmaking, and added a new sundeck to the Black Mountain Lodge.
 

Arizona Snowbowl, AZ 
  For this year, the improvements will only be to ticketing systems, but some major improvements starting in Spring 2009 have been improved, including a new snowmaking system, new trails, and new lifts. 
 

Boreal, CA  
The new Castle Peak Quad, will replace the existing Gunnar’s double chair, increasing base area capacity on beginner/novice runs and evolution terrain parks.  The snowmaking system has also been expanded. 
 

Copper Mountain, CO 
  Copper’s big news is the addition of the multi-million dollar Camp Woodward facility, which will offer ski and snowboard training through tools such as trampolines and foam pits.  Winter programs for all ages begin January 2009, and there will be summer camps as well. 

Crotched Mountain, NH  
  Improvements focused on expansion of the snowmaking system, widening trails, and renovating the lodge and outdoor patio. 

Fernie, BC  
  Fernie has expanded their glade terrain, including wider spaced gladed runs for intermediate level skiers and riders. 
 

Heavenly Mountain Resort, CA  
  In addition to lodge and rental shop improvements, Heavenly is expanding their gladed runs, including new trails in the Skiways Glades and the Powderbowl Woods.  Also, they’ve regraded the Skyline Trail to be more snowboarder friendly (no more unstrapping!) As part of their environmental initiative, they’ve bought new low emission snowcats. 
 

Lake Louise, BC  
A new high speed quad will replaced the current Ptarmigan lift, for expanded uphill capacity.   
 

Killington, VT  
  For those of you in a hurry, Killington has replaced the Skye Peak Quad with an express lift.  However the improvement that most peaked our interest was the addition of a Burton Stash terrain park.  This all-natural terrain park with have 34 features, including tree jibs, road jumps and log slides, and is one of only four Stash terrain parks in the world. 
 

Liberty Mountain, PA 
  $3.6 million in improvements include a major lodge expansion, snowmaking expansion, and upgrades to the slope lighting. 
 

Mammoth Mountain, CA 
  $750,000 of improvements, including new grading and expanded terrain.  Of particular interest to snowboarders are the addition of new Vans and Dragon signature jibs to the Unbound Terrain Parks, and a new snowmaking system for the main park and superpipe. 
 

Mount Sunapee, NH  
  Mount Sunapee continues to expand their three terrain parks, and new snow guns for additional snowmaking.
 

Monarch Mountain, CA 
  Along with some kind of fancy new ticket system, Monarch is making improvements to all of their terrain parks, including a new kids & beginners park, and adding more features to the K2 Organic terrain park (pictured above). 
 

Mount Hood Meadows, OR 
  These guys might win for the funniest improvement: the acquisition of a 105 MM Howitzer military weapon.  Not to worry though, this weapon will not be used for evil, they will be using it for controlling avalanches.  They’re also adding more off-piste access, and remodeling some bathrooms.
 

Northstar-at-Tahoe  
  Improvements include the extension of ski trails and the express quad lift on Lookout Mountain, with new glade runs.  The overall skiable acreage has been expanded by 414 acres.  Also, the Burton Stash will be improved, with the addition of the Lil’ Stash, for beginners and kids.
 

Sierra-at-Tahoe 
  Expansions include an updated website, and more eco-friendly initiatives. 

Silverton Mountain, CO 
  By far the most drool-worthy resort improvement is Silverton’s addition of Heli Drops.  Excuse us while we take a moment and daydream about heli drops.  Ok, now that we’re back, we’ll mention that they’ll be $150 per drop, for a maximum of 3,100 feet of vertical on Silverton’s epic steeps, chutes, and bowls. 

Ski Cooper, CO 
  Ski Cooper/Chicago Ridge Ski Area has focused its expansion on cat skiing, adding a 2nd snowcat and 7-days-a-week cat skiing. 

Solitude Mountain Resort, UT 
  Two new high-speed quads for the 08/09 season, from both Solitude Village and Moonbeam Center. Both lifts will replace old, slower lifts, and extensive regrading will make these lifts more beginner and intermediate-friendly.  Snowmaking has also been expanded. 

Snowbird, UT 
  Base area expansions include a new Tram Club with a more modern design, and a remodeled sushi bar. 

Snowbasin, UT 
  A new detachable quad at the beginner area will replace the Little Cat Lift. 

Sunlight Mountain Resort, CO 
  While they didn’t make any major improvements this season, Sunlight is offering guided backcountry tours in the area around the resort. 

Stratton, VT 
  Look for new terrain, including 4 new glades, and 2 new trails, plus they’re opening up a locals secret tree run, Test Pilot. 

Taos Ski Valley, NM 
After a sucessful preview last spring, this will be the first full season Taos is open to snowboarders.  Other improvements include a new double black diamond glade, and a new beginner area and magic carpet. 

Telluride, CO  
  A new lift and new advanced and expert terrain has added, opening up the Revalation Bowl, on the backside of Chair 14.  This, combined with hiking terrain added last year, adds up to nearly 400 acres of new terrain. 

Vail and Beaver Creek, CO  
  These resorts have updated their offerings for the rich folks, including a new botique hotel, spa, and some upgrades to some kind of fancy “retreat” thingy that we are too poor to get into. 

Whiteface, NY  
  Whiteface has begun the development a whole new peak, Lookout Mountain, with a new triple chair, and 4 new runs. 

Whistler/Blackcomb, BC  
  A new Peak-to-Peak Gondola will provide easy access between Whistler and Blackcomb, with a short 11-minute ride between the two peaks.  This will be a major change in the way visitors access the two mountains, allowing them to easily go from one to the other, depending on weather and snow conditions. 


Any mountains we missed? Let us know!

Posted by Suzanne Akin on 09/15