Summer 2024 improvements

[Newpylong]

I think it will be OK. Out of all the Low E, the Impulse guns have the best throw if that is your concern. There are several things they can do to keep that the case like replacing the stock Venturi valves to always maintain full air flow vs stepping down as you increase water flow. At full flow they will still only use a 1/3 of the air as an SR7. They also can pick and choose when they make snow on the Pig unlike other core terrain, so wait for more ideal conditions (less wind). When they run that trail that also limits what else they can at the same time, all of those SR7s consume a ton of air.

Would Kansas also benefit like LP or is it best to keep ground guns there (if they ever make snow there again)?

 

[machski]

I think it will be OK. Out of all the Low E, the Impulse guns have the best throw if that is your concern. There are several things they can do to keep that the case like replacing the stock Venturi valves to always maintain full air flow vs stepping down as you increase water flow. At full flow they will still only use a 1/3 of the air as an SR7. They also can pick and choose when they make snow on the Pig unlike other core terrain, so wait for more ideal conditions (less wind). When they run that trail that also limits what else they can at the same time, all of those SR7s consume a ton of air.

Would Kansas also benefit like LP or is it best to keep ground guns there (if they ever make snow there again)?

Kansas or are you talking Eureka? Eureka needs something, I would think tower guns make sense if they don't intend to make snow across the entire width. That trail is way too wide even for SPC fans to cover full width and wider than WH, though less steep.. That's the main difference between the two runs , WH's main pitch. They better have experienced Winch Cat Operators if they intend to push Impulse piles across the trail. But at this point, the Heat is always groomed so probably not a big deal. Shockwave on the other hand if that ever gets swapped out...

 

[Newpylong]

Eureka oops.

 

[deadheadskier]

Rode the chair today at Gunstock. Some regrading of the run out for Hot Shot. No signs of pipe yet. Didn't get to walk down to see if anything was being done on Upper Ramrod as I had my elderly parents with me.

Deck for the Stockade Lodge nicely expanded.

 

[Newpylong]

Tenney Update: some pipe will begin to trickle in next week, the pumps were ordered expected in September.

27,000 feet of pipe total may not get it all in starting so late. 12" to new booster station then split to 10" to either peak. New pipe down Edelweiss from summit for beginner route (no pipe today). 4 new pumps (2 main, 2 boosters). 2,000 GPM. Room for a third main if there's enough water in future. 120 new HKDs for two top to bottom routes I think Trillium on Eclipse and Shooting Star on Hornet. Bunch of pipe repairs all over

 

[jimmywilson69]

cool stuff.

 

[4aprice]

Some news from Colorado and Winter Park.

Winter Park Unlocked - Venture Out

Winter Park Resort has been changing and growing for more than eight decades while remaining a place grounded in authenticity and community spirit. Now, and in partnership with the Winter Park Recreation Association (WPRA), the Town of Winter Park, Alterra Mountain Company, and the U.S. Forest...

blog.winterparkresort.com

Nice expansion plan and would love to see them connect the resort to the town with the gondola. Being able to take Lift from Granby to Winter Park then boarding the gondola would be great for us.

 

[IceEidolon]

There's a bunch of HKDs ordered and delivered, per Facebook, for Holiday Mtn in New York. They claim 100.

 

[WoodCore]

Stratton is upgrading the main snowmaking feed pipe from the supply pond at the golf course up to the the main pump house at the base.

 

[deadheadskier]

Google maps updated to show Upper Ramrod expansion. Not a ton added. But, at least it will be open regularly now

 

[Newpylong]

I wonder why they went so wide with Upper being so narrow. Unless they plan to widen the top too with the addition of snowmaking.

 

[thebigo]

No mention of undercut but any improvement early season is welcome. They like to get brookway open early in the event north goes down, took forever last year for terrain nobody wants to ski.

Teams have been busy installing over 100 new semi-automated snowmaking hydrants on Loon Peak and North Peak trails, including Haulback, Brookway, and Bear Claw Extension. They didn’t stop there—we’ve also expanded snowmaking coverage at South Peak trails including Cruiser, Ripsaw, Escape Route, and Chipper. Additionally, snowmaking has been installed on Upper and Lower Stinger—completing snowmaking coverage at Timbertown. Together, nine trails will see improved snowmaking coverage—a win for skiers and riders, particularly in the early season.

Additionally, the water intake system at the Old River Pumphouse near the Adventure Center has been upgraded. This will allow us to reliably pump more water into the snowmaking system, meaning there is capability for even more snow production this season.

 

[deadheadskier]

I wonder why they went so wide with Upper being so narrow. Unless they plan to widen the top too with the addition of snowmaking.

Not sure, but the amount of blasting and land work they had to do for the new section was pretty massive. Could be they simply had a certain amount of money approved by the county and that was what they were able to do. I would be curious to know that answer as well.

I'll also be curious to see what the remains of the lower old lift line looks like. I assume pretty much 100% grown in, but perhaps a future opportunity for another glade, which would be nice to have at Gunstock when they get the snow for it

I haven't seen anything about widening Hot Shot, though they did do some grading work under the chair for the lower section. Upper Hot Shot is really narrow for a snowmaking trail. Definitely will need to use ground guns as towers would probably just throw most of the snow in the woods.

 

[machski]

No mention of undercut but any improvement early season is welcome. They like to get brookway open early in the event north goes down, took forever last year for terrain nobody wants to ski.

Don't think Undercut got snowmaking installed this year. Which means another year that "new trail" will never open. Glad they upgraded Ripsaw's snowmaking, and I do hope that means new guns. Lance towers on a steep and wide trail like that were always lacking (last of the Booth Creek discount installations to get South open).

 

[Newpylong]

No snowmaking on Undercut. They have been busy enough finishing Timber town. Undercut was logged early because the loggers were already there.

 

[deadheadskier]

Has there been any discussion about a Day Lodge over at Timber town? Seems like fully setting that up as the learning center should be the number 1 need for Loon.

 

[bigbob]

Has there been any discussion about a Day Lodge over at Timber town? Seems like fully setting that up as the learning center should be the number 1 need for Loon.

I agree with getting a lodge at Timbertown ASAP, but doing the Governers Lodge will be first from what I have read.

 

[machski]

Has there been any discussion about a Day Lodge over at Timber town? Seems like fully setting that up as the learning center should be the number 1 need for Loon.

Not yet, but will be interesting to see what/if they do anything in those regards for 25-26 when the Riverwalk Transfer Gondi opens.

 

[urungus]

From the South Peak Expansion section of the Loon Flight Path:2030 webpage https://www.loonmtn.com/south-peak-expansion

The Future​

This project is the foundation for future development in this area. A new learning area, two surface lifts and a suite of facilities tailored around the learn-to ski and snowboard experience are also being planned. The current Undercut trail will see additional tree clearing to allow for more access to the new South Peak terrain.

 

[doublediamond]

Google maps updated to show Upper Ramrod expansion. Not a ton added. But, at least it will be open regularly now

That's disappointing