The 2011-2012 Ski Area Improvement Thread

[mediamogul]

Or Big Dipper at K. Or some other tree to replace all the ones that have died recently.

Yeah, the Double Dipper/Big Dipper area is a prime candidate for this. Big Dipper will eventually de-glade itself and become another open trail if it continues unchecked. That would be one of the ugliest trails in all of skiing if that whole area was just one big open area...

 

[threecy]

Never seen anything like what Elk is doing. I'd be interested to hear how well it goes. Also would be interested to hear how the newly planted trees handle snowmaking.

Planting evergreens at ski areas is something that was done decades ago, prior to the expansion of modern snowmaking. The University of Massachusetts undertook a major project at Berkshire East decades ago to line trails with evergreens (in addition, some areas that simply didn't hold snow well were returned to trees).

 

[Puck it]

Vista Way does not have snowmaking right now does it?

No snowmaking on it. It would ruin the fun of that trail.

 

[riverc0il]

No snowmaking on it. It would ruin the fun of that trail.

You mean making more than an eight foot wide width skiable for more than a few weeks out of the year? :lol: I wouldn't shed a tear if they blew snow once, leveled Vista, and then never touched it again for the rest of the year. I enjoy using Vista for what it is useful for, but it would be nice if it skied more like a trail more often. Though I still think the idea of making a Downhill run that extends to the Front Five is dumb.

 

[4aprice]

Never seen anything like what Elk is doing. I'd be interested to hear how well it goes. Also would be interested to hear how the newly planted trees handle snowmaking.

The people who run Elk have some connection to the tree (logging, wood) industry and have been planting trees on the mountain for years. They have redesigned several trails with this method as well. Camelback has done the same but on a much smaller scale so far. Never understood the no trees policy at Elk as it gets the best natural snow in NEPA but its never been allowed. The Pocono woods are full of surprises but we had some interesting days in the trees at Camelback this past winter.

Alex

Lake Hopatcong, NJ

 

[Puck it]

You mean making more than an eight foot wide width skiable for more than a few weeks out of the year? :lol: I wouldn't shed a tear if they blew snow once, leveled Vista, and then never touched it again for the rest of the year. I enjoy using Vista for what it is useful for, but it would be nice if it skied more like a trail more often. Though I still think the idea of making a Downhill run that extends to the Front Five is dumb.

It is not that bad. Little bit of an exaggeration. A manmade base would be useful to hold snow on the right side, but do not ruin the natural snow feel. It is similar to upper Ridge Run at Kton in vibe.

 

[Mapnut]

I can't think of any replanting program anyone's attempted at higher altitudes in northern New England. Probably spruces and firs grow too slowly at such altitues and latitudes, although it looks like they do well on Elk. I once brought a 4-foot long, 4-inch thick, dead krummholtz down from Mt. Madison, NH, sawed through the trunk and counted the rings, and it was 140 years old.

 

[my poor knees]

Killington Improvements for 2012

Enclose and heat the maze at the k1 gondola?

Killington Resort announces nearly $6.5m. in improvements for the 2011-12 season
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Most notable is the removal of the Peak Lodge from the 4,100 foot level of Killington Peak which was originally constructed as the return station of the original gondola and included a dining facility. “Constructed in the late 1960’s, this facility has reached its usable life span and it is time for it to be replaced,” stated Chris Nyberg, president and general manager of Killington/Pico Ski Resort Partners, LLC. The existing building is currently serviced by the K-1 Express Gondola.
Pending permit approvals, the removal of the existing building and the new replacement facility and related infrastructure is expected to cost nearly $7 million when completed and will consist of a multilevel restaurant and meeting space facility. The structure will be somewhat smaller than the building it is replacing and reside at the same location as the old structure. “Our primary goal is to replace the existing facility with a building designed to provide optimal views from nearly any point inside the building and the exterior design to blend itself to the preexisting location on the landscape,” Nyberg explained.

The removal project is expected to occur this summer and the new facility constructed the following summer with anticipated completion date of Christmas 2012.

The architectural firm of Robert Carl Williams Associates in Pittsfield, Vt. has been retained for design and planning.

This new facility will become the highest gondola served restaurant and meeting space venue in eastern North America. Situated near Killington Peak in the Green Mountains, the 22,000 square foot facility will provide vistas of the Adirondack Range in N.Y., the White Mountains of N.H. and the Green Mountains of Vt.

"This facility will be an icon for not only the Killington Region in Central Vermont, but for the entire state. The views and experience that the new facility will provide to our guests will be unsurpassed,” Nyberg said.

In addition to the removal of the existing Peak Lodge structure, there will be several other important infrastructure projects undertaken this summer to prepare for the construction of the Killington Peak facility. Projects will include; installations of waste water treatment and fiber optic lines from the summit area of Killington Peak down to the base of the K-1 Express Gondola.

The K-1 Express Gondola base area will also be getting a facelift this summer. The maze area will be covered and heated. Additionally, the gondola car storage area and adjacent guest drop-off area is being renovated.

For the 2011/12 season, a new tubing park will also debut adjacent to East Mountain Road across from the Killington Grand Hotel using the Killington Golf Course Clubhouse as the operations base.

Continued enhancement of the on-snow experience at both Killington Resort and Pico Mountain will take center stage this summer with a dedicated crew that will focus on trail and glade work. “We will be pruning and trimming gladed areas as well as clearing new growth,” stated Jeff Temple, director of mountain operations. “Several years ago we began our trail development project. We’ll continue the program this year by finishing up projects at Bear Mountain and concentrating on Snowdon and Skye Peak this summer as we continue to enhance skier flow."

Killington Resort will also be continuing a substantial investment in its snowmaking system with new replacement snowmaking pipe, hydrants and valves. “We are investing in our grooming fleet with the purchase of three new Prinoth grooming tractors and adding over 150 low energy snowmaking guns to the arsenal,” Temple stated. “The energy cost to produce air for the snowmaking process is the single largest expense in the production of snow. With the increased cost of all types of energy, making snow as efficiently as possible is critical to provide a quality experience to our guests in an environmentally responsible manner.” Man-made snow is critical to the sustainability of Killington’s snow surfaces and is necessary to survive the weather variables seen in the East.

Other areas of Killington Resort receiving improvements this summer include; base lodges, existing chairlifts and the Killington Golf Course. In addition, Killington Resort and Pico Mountain will invest in a new rental equipment fleet providing the latest technology in ski and snowboard equipment to its guests. Also of note is a new disc golf course being built at Pico Mountain that will open July 1.

 

[drjeff]

This news is so last week

Seriously though. a new Peak Lodge has a huge year round upside for not just the ski area itself, but the whole town and surrounding area with I'm guessing what will be an increase in wedding bookings which can add a steady group of extra folks in town for events

 

[my poor knees]

This news is so last week

Seriously though. a new Peak Lodge has a huge year round upside for not just the ski area itself, but the whole town and surrounding area with I'm guessing what will be an increase in wedding bookings which can add a steady group of extra folks in town for events

Sorry, new guy here. I didn't see it.

 

[drjeff]

Sorry, new guy here. I didn't see it.

Not a problem, and welcome aboard.

And for future reference, on Alpinezone, chances that that by the time Killington has made an official press release about something, the topic has alreday been discussed and argued about from about 10 different angles over the course of a 5 to 10 page thread! :lol:

Anything Killington related tends to be a VERY passionate subject here!

 

[RootDKJ]

Not a problem, and welcome aboard.

And for future reference, on Alpinezone, chances that that by the time Killington has made an official press release about something, the topic has alreday been discussed and argued about from about 10 different angles over the course of a 5 to 10 page thread! :lol:

Anything Killington related tends to be a VERY entertaining subject here!

FIFY

 

[Nick]

I love Hemlocks, but they are very susceptible to disease, particularly that hemlock eating bug, I forget what it's called. It's ravaged so many of them. hopefully mine stay good, I've got a nice set of them between me and my neighbor's house.

 

[wa-loaf]

Update on Brackett Basin: http://sugarloaf2020.tumblr.com/post/7582535268/meanwhile-over-on-the-east-side

Not sure they needed to cut down more trees in the Can't Dog area, but it's good the plan on clearing out some of the underbrush this year. It'll make for an earlier opening in there.

 

[deadheadskier]

Can't Dog area did seem pretty wide open to me. There were some stands that were still pretty tight. Perhaps they're just trying to open up more lines?

I definitely wouldn't want the stands that were cleared last year to be any thinner.

can't wait to make it back there this season

 

[WWF-VT]

I love Hemlocks, but they are very susceptible to disease, particularly that hemlock eating bug, I forget what it's called. It's ravaged so many of them. hopefully mine stay good, I've got a nice set of them between me and my neighbor's house.

Woolly Adelgid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemlock_woolly_adelgid

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, for Utah: Snowbird is applying with the NFS to install night skiing off of Gadzoom (terrain park and a blue cruiser or two). They are also asking to put in a beginner area in between Creekside and Baby Thunder. Other than that they want to regrade some of the trails.

More info here: http://www.snowbird.com/masterdevelopmentplan.html

I'm new to SLC and will probably comment in favor.

And FWIW it is likely that we will be passholders at Snowbird. Really like the terrain and the vibe. The length of season is a major plus. Plus they are offering my wife and I a sweet deal.

 

[riverc0il]

Update on Brackett Basin: http://sugarloaf2020.tumblr.com/post/7582535268/meanwhile-over-on-the-east-side

Not sure they needed to cut down more trees in the Can't Dog area, but it's good the plan on clearing out some of the underbrush this year. It'll make for an earlier opening in there.

Cut em' low, boys!

Cant Dog seemed pretty damned wide open to me when I skied it last year. Hopefully when they say Cant Dog area, that means they are cutting more lines away from the existing glade.

 

[thetrailboss]

..and they are replacing the Baby Thunder with a HSQ.

 

[AdironRider]

OK, for Utah: Snowbird is applying with the NFS to install night skiing off of Gadzoom (terrain park and a blue cruiser or two). They are also asking to put in a beginner area in between Creekside and Baby Thunder. Other than that they want to regrade some of the trails.

More info here: http://www.snowbird.com/masterdevelopmentplan.html

I'm new to SLC and will probably comment in favor.

And FWIW it is likely that we will be passholders at Snowbird. Really like the terrain and the vibe. The length of season is a major plus. Plus they are offering my wife and I a sweet deal.

I think you'll be happy there. None of the attitude of Alta and the layout is better. Snow might be a little less, but its a negligible amount when were taking 500+ averages.

That being said, I was surprised how small Snowbird felt when I went there this past season. Doesnt take away from the terrain, but it could definitely feel crowded.