November 13, 2009
What's new for 2009-2010
by Brion O'Connor/
It’s a time-honored axiom in the business world: You have to spend money to make money. And since a ski area is, at the end of the day, a business, it makes sense that area owners must frequently nurture the product. Nowhere is that dictum more apropos than the Northeast, where the vagaries of Old Man Winter have constantly challenged resorts to be as creative as possible.
So, despite an economy that would make even the most reckless Wall Street trader shudder, New England ski areas have kept the faith, believing that money put toward the on-mountain experience is money well spent. That can mean new or improved equipment, new trails, and even new personnel.
This month, we’ll look at the developments to the north — Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — and save Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island for December.
MAINE
Saddleback (saddlebackmaine.com)
The trails, snowmaking operations, and staff at Saddleback all got major upgrades. The resort added three top pros in the ski industry: director of marketing Conrad Klefos, director of finance Greg Andrews, and competition and training director Jeff Hawksley. Mountainside, there’s a new trail under the Kennebago chairlift named Family Secret, and a new 44-acre glade area, Casablanca, to explore. Improving trail conditions are three new groomers, and there’s increased snowmaking on Wardens Worry and Tight Line. The resort’s PEAK program (Promoting Education and Activity for Kids) offers a $49 season pass to Maine students in grades K-12 who are on the honor roll. Last, check out the resort’s new website.
Shawnee Peak (shawneepeak.com)
Shawnee Peak is one of the Northeast’s best “smaller” hills precisely because it’s got nice pitch. However, that same incline has made the peak at Shawnee Peak a bit daunting for some. This year, the area took a big step toward becoming more “family friendly” by cutting a new trail — Sunset Boulevard — which is an easier run meandering 2,000 feet from the summit. The new trail ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy picturesque views of the Presidential Range and Mount Washington. Trail conditions also should benefit from a new groomer. The base experience at Shawnee has gone upscale, with the addition of Wi-Fi in the main base lodge and a new wine bar in the East Lodge, at the base of the Sunnyside Triple. Work also will start on six new slopeside duplexes near the Sunnyside lift.
Sugarloaf (sugarloaf.com)
It’s a long drive for most to Carabassett Valley, so visitors staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel will appreciate the $600,000 worth of renovations, including new beds and flat-panel televisions. On the mountain, skiers and boarders benefit from improved snowmaking, with more than 8,000 feet of new lines strategically placed throughout the resort. Those include a line to the summit on Gondola Line Extension, and lines installed on the Sidewinder Snowboardcross Course, Lower Winters Way, and Peavey Crosscut. Going up the hill also will be more pleasant, with new wind fencing along the Double Runner West lift and #3 T-Bar, and modified sheave trains on the SuperQuad and Whiffletree lifts. Last, the resort’s sales and marketing staff welcomes Brad Larson, the department’s new director.
Sunday River (sundayriver.com)
Anniversaries are always special, but few are more singular than the half-century mark. In the past 50 years, Sunday River has expanded from one mountain to eight peaks, added 16 modern lifts, and built a snowmaking fleet that numbers almost 2,000 guns. For its 50th anniversary season, the resort is offering a $2,900 Mega Pass, which allows unlimited skiing or riding at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon Mountain, unlimited preferred parking, unlimited tuning, unlimited use of a season-long ski/snowboard locker, unlimited use of Sunday River’s tubing park, plus retail benefits and two days of both First Track early lift access for four people and use of the private ski suite located in the South Ridge Base Lodge. The resort also poured almost $1.5 million into renovations at the two Sunday River Grand Resort Hotels, providing better beds and, for those après ski football parties, new 42-inch flat-screen televisions.
Eaton Mountain (eatonmountain.com)
The latest word from this terrific little hill in Skowhegan is that severe electrical problems will prevent Eaton from opening for night skiing, and snowmaking operations will cease. Whether the area will offer natural-snow daylight operations was still undecided at press time, so be sure to check Eaton’s website. If the area does open, the trails will benefit from a new groomer, neophyte ’boarders will have more rental options, and everyone will enjoy upgrades to the base lodge. Eaton’s owners have said they’ll open the snow-tubing park, which features a new lift, lights, and snowmaking.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Great Glen Trails, Pinkham Notch
The fifth rendition of the Glen House in Pinkham Notch, a full-service hotel located at Great Glen Trails near the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road, gets under way. The hotel will include a large veranda, terrace, indoor pool and spa, conference facilities, great room, dining room and more. Embodying the look and feel of a classic New England mountain lodge, the Glen House will connect directly to the Great Glen Trails network of cross-country trails.
Gunstock (gunstock.com)
This Gilford resort is wrapping up a two-year, $3.25 million expansion, with a new quad chairlift along with two new trails and two extended trails in the Gunshy Beginner Complex. The new lift is expected to nearly quadruple the area’s uphill capacity. Upgrades also are being made to the snowmaking system with more than four miles of new snowmaking pipe, 13 new tower fan guns, and refitting 25 tower guns for added efficiency. These snowmaking improvements along with a capacity of 6,000 gallons of water per minute will nearly double Gunstock’s snowmaking capacity compared to just three years ago.
King Pine, Purity Springs Resort (kingpine.com)
This intimate, family-owned area has been busy in the offseason, adding a dozen energy-efficient tower snow guns and 70 pairs of skis to the largest rental fleet in the White Mountains. Visitors will benefit from improved guest services area and signage, as well as improved guest and employee parking areas, while “virtual” visitors will enjoy a new interactive trail map on the resort’s website. Look for improvements in the snow-tubing area as well.
Ragged Mountain (raggedmountainresort.com)
To complement the Danbury resort’s three terrain parks, Ragged is unveiling a new learn-to-slide park, appropriately named Wanna Be Wild. The two-acre park will have 10 elements, none of which will be more than a few inches off the snow, to allow neophyte shredders a chance to learn new tricks in a safe environment. The “Alta of the East” also has added seven energy-efficient snow guns and widened a number of trails to meet USSA ski-racing requirements.
Loon Mountain (loonmtn.com)
While two highly anticipated South Mountain trails — Twitcher and Jobber — won’t open until next season, Loon is keeping busy by introducing several new programs, including several women-specific offerings. The headliner is Oakley’s Droppin’ In Women’s Snowboard Camp on March 6-7, a two-day camp for female snowboarders who have mastered the skills of turning and cruising and now want to take those skills into the terrain parks.
Cranmore (cranmore.com)
Cranmore has invested close to half a million dollars for this coming winter — the largest investment in several years at the 73-year-old North Conway resort — most of it targeted at snowmaking and facility improvements. Tops on that list are significant upgrades in its snowmaking equipment, highlighted by 80 new energy-efficient tower snow guns. The new guns will be set up on the Easy Street beginner trail off the summit, extending to the Gibson Trail, down to Beginner’s Luck, and on high-traffic trails including Upper Hurricane to Middle. New tower guns also will be added to the blue cruiser Skimeister, lining the trail from top to bottom. This, in addition to the recent installation of tower guns on Artist Falls trail, gives Cranmore superior snowmaking on every major route down the mountain.
Pats Peak (patspeak.com)
Pats Peak in Henniker spent $500,000 this summer, bringing the total spent in the past five seasons to $5 million. Among the projects this summer were major improvements to the “Bears’ Den,” home to the learning program, which doubled the area’s size. Advanced skiers and riders will want to sample the new lift-serviced terrain park or the newly added “secret gladed areas.” Snowmaking has been improved with the addition of more fan guns, more snow guns and more snowmaking pipe. The Alpine Training Center for racers has doubled in size, while the rental shop will offer 400 new pairs of skis and bindings, 400 new pairs of boots, and 100 new snowboards. Regrading of the base area will result in 50 more parking spaces.
The Balsams (thebalsams.com)
With a new ownership group comes a new energy at this quintessential grand resort to the far north in Dixville Notch. Ski operations head Andy Pearson is putting together a terrific lineup of special events, including a guest reception with new general manager Jeff McIver on Dec. 18, a WinterFest weekend on Jan. 15-17, a telemark festival on March 13, and culinary demonstrations offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting Jan. 5. The resort also is planning a series of special lectures; Nigel Manley’s “Malt Scotch Whisky, the Water of Life” on Jan. 26 should not be missed. For details, visit the resort’s recently renovated website.
Attitash/Bear Peak (attitash.com)
Like many of its sister ski areas, Attitash boasts a renewed focus on snowmaking improvements this winter. New snowmaking pipe, snow guns, flow meters and more are being installed in order to ensure optimal snow quality regardless of what Mother Nature provides. Enhancements also are being made to the base areas and lodges of the Bartlett resort, and the rental shop will be getting an upgraded inventory as well. Attitash also has brought Doug Tulin on board as the resort’s new marketing director.
Wildcat Mountain (skiwildcat.com)
Among the improvements made this summer at Wildcat are additional snowmaking pipe to enhance the snowmaking system. The Jib Lot was moved to the Lower Catapult Trail to enhance the terrain park experience. Plus, you’ve got to love the mountain’s ski or ride the next day for only $39, especially since the discounted ticket is available all season, every day, without any blackout dates.
McIntyre Ski Area (mcintyreskiarea.com)
Just on the outskirts of Manchester’s downtown, Mighty McIntyre, the little ski area that could, is back on track with the recent signing of a long-term lease and plans to renovate the area’s aging clubhouse to the tune of $1.3 million. Putting ski school director Ross Boisvert back in charge is another huge plus for this urban gem.
Crotched Mountain (crotchedmountain.com)
Crotched will be grooming the slopes with two new Kaessbohrer grooming machines, both of which are “terrain-park capable.” Translation? Crotched will be able to build its parks faster and with more precision. Plus, one of the machines is equipped with a newly developed hydraulic flap system, designed for “seamless” passes (which means fewer ridges). Improvements also are being made to the snowmaking system as well as the natural snow trails. Inside the lodge, visitors will find a new high-tech flooring, and a new upstairs fireplace to add to the après ski ambiance.
Granite Gorge (granitegorge.com)
This gateway area on Pinnacle Mountain, on the outskirts of Keene, is still celebrating the second-place finishes by the Keene boys and girls alpine ski teams at the Division 1 state championships last season. This season, the Granite Gorge rental shop has been expanded and relocated for more convenient service, and the snow-tubing area has added new Tube Pro tubes in both single- and double-rider formats.
Bretton Woods (mountwashingtonresort.com)
Bretton Woods is now under new ownership, with Omni Resorts taking the reins of the historic Mount Washington Resort. To complement the superb skiing and snowboarding, Bretton Woods is now also home to one of the longest, year-round Canopy Tours in the United States. The tour descends over 1,000 vertical feet and consists of a series of treetop zip lines, suspension bridges, and hiking trails. The tour concludes with the Williwaw Racing Zip, a dual, side-by-side zip line running right into the base area.
Mount Sunapee (mtsunapee.com)
Mount Sunapee in Newbury, already considered among the best hills in New England for grooming and snow conditions, will add 10 more energy-efficient snow guns in order to make more snow utilizing less energy. A new glade was cut on Mount Sunapee’s South Peak Learning Area. The main terrain park will now incorporate part of a third trail with four progression lines and has been renamed “603” (a nod to new Hampshire’s area code, no doubt).
VERMONT
Bolton Valley (boltonvalley.com)
At Bolton Valley, it’s all about the environment and efficiency this year. The resort becomes the first in Vermont to employ wind power with the installation of a new Northwind 100 wind turbine near the top of the Vista Quad. The massive 121-foot tower (156 feet from the ground to the top of the blades) is expected to provide roughly 300,000 kilowatt hours of clean energy annually. On the trails, Bolton Valley is extending man-made fluff on the popular Cobrass trail (which connects the main mountain with Timberline), and plans to keep the Timberline area, featuring a variety of intermediate and advance terrain, open every day throughout the season. Teaming up with the non-profit Efficiency Vermont, the resort also is retrofitting a number of snow guns to improve their effectiveness.
Jay Peak (jaypeak.com)
If all goes according to plan, Jay Peak skiers and riders will have a new spot to rest their legs beginning in February, when the Tram Haus Lodge opens. The lodge, with 57 suites, is the first of several upcoming facelifts at the northern Vermont resort, and also will house a new restaurant, coffee shop and a bar featuring views of the mountain. The Tram Haus Lodge also will offer a rental, repair and demo center, as well as a fitness area with whirlpool, free weights and aerobic equipment. While the use of these facilities will be included in Tram Haus Lodge vacation packages, the amenities will be open to all resort guests, space permitting.
Killington (killington.com)
At Killington, it’s not a matter of whether there are improvements, but how many. Like Bolton Valley, the resort partnered with Efficieny Vermont to upgrade one of the world’s most extensive snowmaking systems, which means a deeper and more reliable base on a number of trails. Killington also is purchasing additional low-energy snow guns and fan guns to reduce energy consumption. An added perk for bump hounds is a new seeded mogul run on Lower Vertigo, as well as more “natural” bumps on signature runs such as Outer Limits, Superstar and Ovation.
Mad River Glen (madriverglen.com)
At crusty Mad River Glen, less is more. But the big news is that the Single Chair Capital Campaign exceeded its fundraising goal by raising more than $1.7 million in donations to fund the restoration of the mountain’s iconic Single Chair. This unique fundraising campaign, facilitated by partnerships with two nonprofits, the Stark Mountain Foundation and Preservation Trust of Vermont, allowed Mad River Glen to raise tax-deductible charitable dollars to fund the project.
Magic Mountain (magicmtn.com)
Want to be a resort owner? Here’s your chance. To save Magic Mountain and raise capital to invest in the infrastructure, the ski area is selling shares. For details, go the resort’s website. Meanwhile, Magic Mountain also upgraded snowmaking operations with repaired lines and increased capacity, and added more glade skiing options by thinning off-trail areas. While there won’t more marked glades on the mountain, the adventurous skier can follow the numerous tracks leading into the woods for prime tree skiing.
Middlebury College Snow Bowl (middleburysnowbowl.com)
Though tradition is nice, you don’t want it to be at the expense of skier satisfaction. So the 40-year-old Worth Mountain double chair has been replaced with a Doppelmayr triple, to the tune of $1.7 million. The benefit? The ability to haul 1,200 skiers up the hill every hour. A load test is scheduled for mid-November, so the new lift should be ready for the season.
Mount Snow (mountsnow.com)
Sprawling Mount Snow kept its focus on top-flight terrain conditions with off-season infrastructure improvements to its snowmaking system as well as additions to its groomer fleet, allowing 251 new-technology fan guns to blanket the trails. Don’t expect a sophomore jinx for the Carinthia freestyle terrain park, now curved rails and new park layouts have been implemented. The park quickly gained notoriety, and Mount Snow was picked to host the finals of the Winter Dew Tour, Feb. 4-7.
Okemo Mountain Resort (okemo.com)
Busy with behind-the-scenes projects, Okemo Mountain Resort has added a second Prinoth BR500 grooming machine to further enhance the resort’s reputation for superior surface conditions, while also reconfiguring its entire snowmaking system to improve resurfacing response time. That may not be something skiers readily notice, but they’ll appreciate it nonetheless. They’ll also notice the new online-only deals and money-saving programs for value-savvy customers. Check out the Okemo website for details.
Pico Mountain (picomountain.com)
Snowmaking upgrades continue to improve Pico Mountain’s overall efficiency in energy consumption and production. For the 2009-10 season, snowmaking pipe and hydrants have been replaced on Upper Pike, completing the final phase of a three-year replacement program on Pico’s signature top-to-bottom trail.
Smugglers’ Notch Resort (smuggs.com)
Smugglers’ Notch Resort has added another classic New England-style trail by extending Full Nelson from above mid-point to the base on Sterling Mountain. On the high-tech front, the resort will offer Snow Sport University students (ages 3-15) GPS units, which can track the miles, vertical and trails skied each day and cumulatively. For boarders, a new Burton Learn to Ride Center offers the latest in equipment geared to providing new riders — children and adults — with an enjoyable first-time experience. Finally, the Mountain Experience for adults returns, offering a daylong mountain tour format.
Stowe Mountain Resort (stowe.com)
Stowe is entering the final phases of a 10-year master plan. The two newest components of the project are Spruce Camp and Stowe Mountain Lodge. The Spruce Camp base lodge includes restaurants, a bar, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, rental shops, retail, guest services, event space and public lounge areas. Stowe Mountain Lodge has added the new Front Four Private Club Level, with 34 suites and a private lounge. The lodge, a hotel and spa already have garnered accolades as being among the “greenest” and most luxurious mountainside accommodations in the world. The resort received a 2009 Silver Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence presented by ClifBar, recognizing Stowe for its leadership and innovation in waste reduction and recycling.
Stratton Mountain (stratton.com)
Change is in the air at Stratton, especially when it comes to freestyle terrain and the creation of an Adventure Zone in the Sunbowl area, home to the US Open Snowboarding Championships and an expert-level terrain park and superpipe. There’s a new jib park on Lower Middlebrook, boarder-cross on East Byrneside and beginner mogul areas on White Birch and Daniel Webster. Glade fans will discover natural freestyle features in select areas, with Stratton’s 100-plus-acre network opened up thanks to underbrush thinning on Vertigo, Kidderbrook Ravine, Shredwood Forest, Moondance, Diamonds in the Rough, Cabin Fever and Emerald Forest. Skiers also can track vertical feet, clock speed, and find friends with rental GPS units. The new, lift-serviced Coca Cola Snow Tubing Park is a four-lane, 750-foot long drag strip.
Sugarbush (sugarbush.com)
Sugarbush trail builders were busy this summer, adding 75 acres of wooded terrain at Mount Ellen and Lincoln Peak. The expansion is part of the Mad River Valley resort’s continuing effort to remove the “fear factor” from wooded skiing and riding. In that spirit, several new areas have gentle slopes and more space between trees. Also new this year, Sugarbush will be using its SugarTube (a video-sharing platform introduced last year) to expand the learning experience off the hill. Instructors can videotape lessons and post the clips on personal accounts created for guests of the Ski and Ride School. Using telestrating tools and voice over, instructors will analyze the lessons and offer tips. Clients also will have access to the on-line tools and can ask instructors questions.
