Summer expansions.

[ski diva]

For anyone who skis Loon (NH) -- this summer they're investing over $10 million in a brand-new, high-speed quad chairlift and a connector quad chair, linking South Peak to Loon’s existing lift and trail network. They'll also be adding nearly 50 acres of new intermediate and advanced terrain. Completion is set for December.

And at Deer Valley: A new high-speed detachable quad chairlift, Lady Morgan Express, will expand the ski terrain in Deer Valley's Empire Canyon area for the 2007-08 ski season. The area will include over 200 new skiable acres, 65 acres of gladed skiing and eight new runs. And this is cool: new "Snow Scan Ground Penetrating Radar," combined with a GPS system, will provide color coded maps of snow depth on any part of the mountain, allowing ski resort staffers to manage snow more efficiently.

 

[joycemocha]

Timberline's supposed to be doing a big expansion into Still Creek this summer--adding more intermediate terrain and all. It's on the lower part of the Mountain, so I don't know how many days it'll add into spring, but it might mean better early-season skiing.

 

[Lilgeorg]

I just read in Sunday's Rutland Herald that Sugarbush Ski area is opening a zip line on 6/30. Sounds like loads of fun and the price was $15 ,I think.

 

[SnowHot]

Isn't sugarbush one of the resorts that was just purchased by Boyne?

If so, great things should be in store for them. Boyne does a lot to ensure that they are a 4 season destination.

 

[ski diva]

Nope, don't think so.

ASC bought Sugarbush in 1995, but it was bought back by Summit Ventures, a local group, in 2001. They're pretty hands on, and have made a ton of improvements, including completely re-vamping the base area with a big new lodge and condos.

Sugarbush is a terrific area and it's not that far from Stowe. If you have some extra time when you go to ESA in December -- and if the conditions are good -- you'll have to give it a try.

 

[SnowHot]

If Conditions are REALLY good, I have to go to MRG
Which by the way is putting in the new single chair this year.

Some say its a sad era gone, but some say the new single will be nice.

 

[ski diva]

You'll just have to stay an extra day and hit them both! :D

Sugarbush is right down the road from MRG. Quiver Queen and I did the 'bush this year after Diva Day at Jay, and had a fabulous time in the trees.

 

[ski diva]

Heavenly just started building a new high speed quad chairlift, the Olympic Express, to provide access to mid-mountain Nevada terrain, including Olympic Downhill, three new trails, and tree skiing. This is the first major project in Heavenly's recently-approved 10-year Master Plan.

 

[tradygirl]

And at Deer Valley: A new high-speed detachable quad chairlift, Lady Morgan Express, will expand the ski terrain in Deer Valley's Empire Canyon area for the 2007-08 ski season. The area will include over 200 new skiable acres, 65 acres of gladed skiing and eight new runs. And this is cool: new "Snow Scan Ground Penetrating Radar," combined with a GPS system, will provide color coded maps of snow depth on any part of the mountain, allowing ski resort staffers to manage snow more efficiently.

Hmmm....interested to see the new terrain. I do love the glade skiing over in the Empire area, and I'm pretty sure I know where the new lift is. "Snow Management"? Sounds like something only Deer Valley would do.

I'll have to check if they've updated their trail map. All I know is they've ripped up a good portion of one of my favorite MTB trails.

 

[ski diva]

Brian Head Resort (Utah) is installing an interconnect lift and ski trail system that will join its two mountains, Navajo and Giant Steps. The resort says this will expand its trail capacity by nearly 35% and allow skiers and snowboarders to circulate freely between the two mountains.

 

[ski diva]

Sun Valley is upgrading Dollar Mountain with two new high speed quads. The new lifts replace the Quarter and Dollar lifts, doubling the uphill capacity. They're also installing 27 new high-powered snowguns.

 

[lisaski]

I would like to see where the new lift at Deer Valley is going in. I tried to ride my mountain bike from Park City Mountain resort to Deer Valley in the beginning of July and ran into the "chain-saw brigade". Now, it all makes sense. They must have been thinning out the vegetation to make the glades. Anyway, I love Empire Canyon, especially the Daly Chutes. Looks like I'll be spending more time there with the new lift when I visit Deer Valley.

 

[Native Vail Gal]

Vail is pulling out a couple of chairs and adding 2 high speed quads. There's probably more that I'm not aware of yet.

Also, Vail is now 100% powered by WIND! Yeah Vail!

 

[Little Lightning]

Vail is pulling out a couple of chairs and adding 2 high speed quads. There's probably more that I'm not aware of yet.

Also, Vail is now 100% powered by WIND! Yeah Vail!

This summer Vail is replacing the double "Blue Ox/Highline" chair with a high speed quad. It will allow faster access to Blue Sky Basin without standing in line at mid-Vail.

They also asked the forest service for a review of chair 5. That chair will not be replaced this year as the review has not been done.

Copper is also 100% wind powered. Aspen was the 1st Colorado ski area to go with wind power, and now most ski areas in Colorado have wind power.

Kathi