Hunter Mtn Expansion...

[evantrentful]

So I was at Hunter today and on my way back from taking a wizzz I happened to notice a older brochure from 2001 in one of their display cases. It was outlining the start of the Katskill House Resort project but had a little diddy about trail expansion, a map was on it, looked like west expansion and towards the true hunter summit.

Ive seen the lift line trail/trail x beyond the current hunter west trails that they cut a few decades ago, but I was wondering what happened with the expansion plans outlined in that 2001 brochure.

 

[millerm277]

Well, theoretically, they should be happening next, now that the first phases (KMC, the condos on the lodge..) are complete. I'm not entirely sure if/when that will happen though.....probably unlikely to be anytime in the near future would be my guess.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I was looking at that too the other day. Gotta wonder why someone doesn't take it down.

 

[spresso81]

The Hunter West expansion would be great - as more terrain would be appriciated.

However, what was terrain going to be - a mix of black and blue? I think I remember that the trail under the lift was going to be blue but that is all I remember.

What is the chance this gets done in the next 10 years?

I am giving it a 25% chance.

 

[Eski]

there used to be a lot of talk of the expansion, not only the west side with a new lift, lodge and more trails, but also a golf course, village and more housing ... priorities have obviously changed and I don't hear about the mountain stuff any more ... but then I'm not the greatest listener either

 

[millerm277]

I haven't heard much in the past few years, even before the real estate crash. I'm not sure though, you could try asking Jessica, the communications director for Hunter, who has a presence on here....

 

[180]

Talk is that the main quad, which despite "major" overhauls the last 2 years needs to be replaced. Parts are no longer manufactured for the lift. Of course, some feel they will continue with plans for putting the new quad on the west side. It all depends on revenues. Day ticket sales are way up, hotel sales way down.

 

[evantrentful]

Yeah the quad probably needs to be replaced, esp for the kind of traffic and year round use it sees. Opening weekend on Sunday had some issues with it for about 20 minutes.... kind of made you nervous about the drive system. I know the HSTriple that Gore has is older, but I dont think its had the same kind of use like the Quad at Hunter has had in the last decade

 

[MarkC]

If I recall I think the main quad was to be moved to west and new quad was to replace the current AA. I think they should replace the main HSQ with a new HSQ and put a FGQ on the X cut on the west side. With the current Z and Y lifts and a new fixed grip quad there would be more than enough capacity on the west side.

 

[Method9455]

Regardless of what they do on the west side, they need to replace the main quad lift. I don't think its a safety hazard because basically the drive system just goes down, but you can't have that lift being shut down for 30 minutes at a clip multiple times a week, and generally when it is all loaded up with people on it freezing and a bunch waiting in line. That just makes people go elsewhere for their next day trip.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Regardless of what they do on the west side, they need to replace the main quad lift. I don't think its a safety hazard because basically the drive system just goes down, but you can't have that lift being shut down for 30 minutes at a clip multiple times a week, and generally when it is all loaded up with people on it freezing and a bunch waiting in line. That just makes people go elsewhere for their next day trip.

times two..the Snowlite quad is very unreliable but it boots you up to the top fast..With Belleayre losing visits..maybe Hunter will pick up additional skier visits and revenue and be able to afford a new lift..

 

[millerm277]

I'll agree that Hunter either needs to get a real fix for the quad, or replace it. If it needs to be replaced, why would you move it to the West Side? So it can be unreliable over there? I personally think that they should probably put a new HSQ or FGQ on the West Side for the new terrain that is supposed to go in...and they might want to remove the Y at the same time to not overload the trails...

 

[Eski]

..maybe Hunter will pick up additional skier visits and revenue and be able to afford a new lift..

oh, they can afford it, they just don't want to spend it ... it's not like those calling the shots are actually out there riding the lifts to experience the shut-downs first hand