Bump. Guess what is the main focus this summer?
We did have some lift issues which I addressed in an earlier Win's Word, but I do understand everyone's frustration when a lift is down. Lifts are always a top priority for us when we prepare our annual capital budget. This year they will be the top priority. Our lift maintenance team is reviewing every lift in consultation with our lift manufacturers. In addition to the normal extensive preventative maintenance that we do each summer, we are evaluating which lifts to invest additional mechanical or electrical system upgrades. We are also in the process of preparing to replace the Valley House lift with a fixed-grip quad. This will give us more uphill capacity and also allow us to reshape the unloading area that will make that part of the mountain immensely more pleasant. We are currently getting bids from the lift manufacturers and proceeding with permitting.
In the past several years, we have spent significantly on snowmaking, new groomers, roads, our base lodges and the SHARC. This year the vast majority of our capital will be going into lifts to make sure that they operate reliably as well as safely.
While our skier visits are down slightly from last year, this has still been a successful year for us, and we greatly appreciate your continued support.