Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) compiled a handy list of on-mountain improvements for the 2010-2011 ski season at Colorado’s ski resorts, the bulk of which are listed below. Improvements and additions at Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte and Monarch have been previously reported at this blog, a.k.a., your faithful Denver Ski and Snow Report:
Monarch Mountain: http://www.examiner.com/ski-and-snow-report-in-denver/monarch-mountain-invests-lifts-lodge-and-lesson-center
Copper Mountain: http://www.examiner.com/ski-and-snow-report-in-denver/more-parking-and-snowmaking-among-copper-mountain-s-ski-season-improvements
Arapahoe Basin: http://www.examiner.com/ski-and-snow-report-in-denver/black-mountain-express-lift-construction-update-from-arapahoe-basin-ski-area
And here’s the best of the rest, with special thanks to CSCUSA for compiling the updates…
Aspen/Snowmass: Aspen has invested more than $138 million in on-mountain improvements over the past seven seasons, including 11 new lifts, including two gondolas, the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Center, three new restaurants, additional terrain, plus the new Snowmass Base Village. Improvements for 2010-2011 include a new 12-foot halfpipe in Snowmass built specifically for those still learning how to ride the pipe, upgraded on-mountain food and beverage offerings, hands-free automated gates and credit-card linking ability with an RF-activated plastic lift ticket, and the Aspen/Snowmass iPad app.
Echo Mountain: Echo Mountain Ski and Snowboard Area, entering its fifth season of operation this winter, recently announced planned expansion resulting in the addition of a top-to-bottom beginner run and increased access to glade skiing for 2010-11. The new terrain brings the total number of named trails to 16 and marks the entry into Phase II of Echo’s ten-year master plan. The beginner-friendly, “easiest way down” will branch off the existing Creightons to just below LC1. The trail will extend through Hideout, and new terrain will be cleared to the west of Echo’s current area boundary. In addition to the new beginner trail, the expansion will also increase access to gladed terrain in Lower Westside Glades.
Eldora: For the 2010-11season, the resort is installing a new conveyor lift, otherwise known as a “magic carpet,” to help get first-time skiers up the mountain before they are ready to try a traditional chairlift. The new lift will replace the existing lifts Tenderfoot 1 and Tenderfoot 11. The new magic carpet will simply be called Tenderfoot. For skiers of all levels, Eldora recently added two new Snow Cats to its fleet of groomers to improve the quality of the snow surfaces. One of the Snow Cats is a Winch Cat by Piston Bully. To cater to more experienced skiers and riders, Eldora is making a substantial effort to improve glade skiing and snowboarding through thinning and tree removal on expert terrain.
Loveland: Loveland has made a significant improvement to its commitment to the overall guest experience by replacing its ticketing and point-of-sale system throughout the ski area. For the 2010-11 season, the resort is updating to a fully-integrated system that will facilitate a seamless guest transition throughout all departments. Additionally, Loveland is working to upgrade and expand its snowmaking systems in its dedication to providing a quality early-season riding experience.
Powderhorn: Powderhorn is investing in creativity as Joe Pope, terrain park manager, is focused on building features for a new natural terrain park to open this season. An expert in natural feature construction, Pope is the mastermind behind the unique terrain park at Sleeping Giant Ski Resort in Wyoming. At Powderhorn this winter, guests will find beginner to advanced natural features located in three terrain parks on the mountain. The new features will be built from Aspen deadfall and other wood. A pre-season rail jam and kickoff party will be held in November, giving park riders their first taste of the new features.
Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort: Following up on last season’s Legends terrain expansion, which added 30 percent more expert terrain, Durango Mountain Resort is adding even more new terrain for 2010-11, this time on the front side of the mountain. The new, gladed section of the mountain will be known as “The Ambassadors Glade,” named after resort owners Chuck and Sue Cobb, who served as U.S. ambassadors to Iceland and Jamaica, respectively.
Also new this winter, Durango Mountain Resort is ramping up its terrain park offerings by constructing the park features out of dirt. By building hits and carving pipes from earth instead of snow, less snow will be needed to open the parks, which then can be opened earlier in the season and maintained consistently throughout the season.
For the kids, Durango Mountain Resort is now a Burton Learn-to-Ride Kids Center, with new instructional programs and an upgraded rental fleet of 215 new kids’ snowboards in sizes ranging from 80 cm to 140 cm. New adult alpine skis have also been added to the rental fleet, and the Expert Edge retail store will have the latest skis and boots from manufacturers including Blizzard, Dynastar, Nordica, Rossignol, K2, and Volkl, available for demo and purchase.
Durango Mountain Resort is expanding its snowmaking capabilities on Pandemonium, an extremely popular signature run. Improved snowmaking will ensure a quality skiing experience from early to late season, regardless of cooperation from Mother Nature. This terrain enhancement comes after years of steady growth at the resort. In the last five years, Durango added a new $50 million base area anchored by Purgatory Lodge and improved its snowmaking capabilities, effectively doubling the resort’s ability to make snow on the mountain. The resort is making steady progress in implementing its master plan, which includes replacing several chair lifts, adding new lifts, and building a new ski and ride school on the mountain.
Silverton Mountain: The ski area is increasing its lift capacity by 50 percent for the 2010-11 ski season. The ski area is adding an additional 30 chairs to the line on its one lift, bringing the total number of chairs on the line from 59 to 89. There are only lift lines a few times each year at Silverton, but that is too much in the eyes of this ski area.
Steamboat: Over the past five years, Steamboat has poured nearly $30 million into on-mountain improvements. The momentum continues as Steamboat prepares for the 2010-11 season. For the 2010-11 season, the beach comes to Steamboat. Visitors can catch some rays at the new Burgess Creek Terrace and Umbrella Bar on the Bear River Bar & Grill Deck located slopeside in the base area adjacent to the Gondola entrance.
Snowmaking pump changes will result in a 27 percent increase in water flow as three 52-horsepower pumps are upgraded to two, 200-horsepower ones, moving the gallons per minute from 3,300 to 4,200. Couple the increased flow with the purchase of 40 high-efficiency, low-energy tower guns, and early season snow production will augment the number of trails available at the beginning of the season. The HKD tower guns, which use 30 percent less energy than conventional guns while producing the same amount of snow, are now strategically located across the mountain on Heavenly Daze, Rudi’s Run, Lightning, Upper Vagabond, Ego, Sitz as well as Stampede, Lil’ Rodeo, Preview, Right-O-Way, See Ya, See Me, Voo Doo, Vogue, Lower Vagabond, Tornado Lane and Buddy’s Run. New pumping capacity will greatly speed up snowmaking production in Mavericks Superpipe. The resort’s system covers nearly 360 acres of top-to-bottom terrain (3,668 vertical feet) and includes a network of more than 600 available hydrants, four pump houses across the mountain, 150 high-efficiency guns and a state-of-the-art digital operating system.
A dramatic change has taken place across the lower mountain as a result of extensive pine beetle mitigation. For the better part of a decade, the resort has been dealing with this epidemic moving from individual tree treatment to mass removal of dead trees. The ski area enjoys a diverse forest in that Steamboat is fortunate that the forest cover on the mountain is comprised primarily of Engelmann Spruce, Subalpine Fir, Lodgepole and Aspen as well as a few Douglas fir. Fifty acres of trees have been removed below Rough Rider Basin and another 30 acres on the Thunderhead Express and Burgess Creek lift lines are currently being removed.
Ranging from small to large, 30 new and refurbished rails/features will pop up this season across the resort’s four progressive terrain parks. Designed with input from pro riders, a variety of small, 8 foot to 12 foot, low-to-the-ground and shaped boxes will provide the opportunity for learning the basics in transitions and kinked sensations. In the medium park, a new 16 foot picnic table and several 24 foot shaped boxes will be unveiled for a variety of down/up and double kinked riding opportunities. A new wall ride, several additional large features, as well as a new entrance in the advance park complete the full spectrum of progression from beginner to advanced.
Last winter, the newly renovated Kids’ Vacation Center opened to rave reviews. The relocation and realignment of the Buckaroo magic carpet lift ensures a better learning environment in the new One Steamboat Place snow area. A magic carpet is a state-of-the-art conveyor lift that has revolutionized kids’ programs by quadrupling the number of runs kids take per hour.
Telluride: The Telluride Ski Resort announced the inception of Telluride Eco Adventures last season, to enhance the guest service experience. Offering tours and activities for the entire family, Eco Adventures features a winter and summer Nature Center especially for kids. Aimed at connecting guests to all the region has to offer both in winter and in summer, Eco Adventures aims to meet the diverse needs of a family on vacation. Activities offered include: snowmobiling through the forest to hot springs; beginner to expert ice climbing excursions; fly fishing on serene mountain streams; river rafting; gliding through bluebird skies; and heli skiing with the first helicopter ski operation in Colorado.
Telluride announced the development and implementation of a guided backcountry skiing program late last season. Incredible terrain in both nearby Bear Creek and Alta Lakes are now accessible for guided backcountry skiing with Telluride Backcountry guides. Guests participating in the guided backcountry program can set up an itinerary and book a trip through Telluride Eco Adventures. Participants must be expert skiers and boarders. All backcountry equipment, including shovel, beacon and probe, is available at Eco Adventures.
Reflecting a European skiing experience, the Telluride Ski Resort airlifted a new bridge and staircase to the left shoulder of Telluride’s spectacular Palmyra Peak in the spring of 2010. Heliqwest, a helicopter company based out of Canada, airlifted two steel staircases and bridge over the ski resort to its final resting place – the span between Gold Hill Chutes 8 and 9. The two sets of stairs measure 48 and 54 feet, and weigh 3304 and 3324 pounds, respectively. The bridge measures 24 feet in length and weighs 2750 pounds. All three components measure 30 inches wide, feature hand railings on both sides and a serrated grated steel walking surface. Together, the stairway and bridge combine make up 126 linear feet ascending Telluride’s magnificent Gold Hill.
Winter Park: While still developing the recently completed Village at Winter Park, the 2010-11 season will reveal investments in infrastructure and raising the level of guest service throughout Winter Park Resort. Enhancements include the purchase of two new snowcats, additions to the ski, snowboard, and bike rental fleet, trail maintenance, new mountain web cameras, and upgrades in IT and on-mountain infrastructure. A significant project for 2010-11 includes paving 822 marked spaces at The Vintage Hotel parking lot to improve guest experience as they walk from free parking to the Village Cabriolet. Attention will also be given to updating the resort’s radio system with technologically advanced radios, in turn improving internal communication and with emergency management personnel.
The Lodge at Sunspot, atop Winter Park Mountain and the premier dining property, will be receiving a facelift both inside and out. Stonework, entry doors, environmentally friendly deck and exterior stain, and new carpet and furniture will be completed in preparation for The Lodge at Sunspot’s 20th anniversary in 2012.
Pine Beetle mitigation is another major on-mountain investment. Along with capital, Winter Park and local water provider stakeholders were awarded a grant from the Colorado Community Forest Restoration Pilot Grant Program to improve forest health. The objective is to decrease fire hazard, encourage new tree growth for a healthy, stable watershed, and reduce safety hazards to skiers and mountain bikers. Environmentally, Winter Park is increasing efforts in recycling programs for guests and employees, composting, and reduction of water waste.
Wolf Creek: The Wolf Creek Lodge, Wolf Creek’s main day lodge, is serving it up this season with a new kitchen and new carpeting. Homemade menu items will be prepared each day in a remodeled kitchen featuring new flooring, siding, counter tops and appliances as well as new carpeting throughout. Known for it’s incredible dining experience, the Upper Lodge will be ready to serve a full menu from delicious Santa Fe style green chili to delectable desserts. The restrooms on the lower level have been improved replacing older water saving facilities with newer ones as well as new partitions.
Additionally, the water-free, composting restrooms on the top of Treasure are scheduled for completion this season.
A new look will also greet skiers on the Wolf Creek Web site launching in early September. The site continues to be user friendly and visually exciting. Popular features of the old site are available including the live webcam, daily snow report and calendar of special events, but the new site will enable season pass holders to purchase their season passes online as well as by phone and at the mountain. This will be the first time season passes are sold on-line.
In continuing with the Wolf Creek tradition, every attempt is made to keep skiing affordable to the general public. Lift tickets and season pass prices will remain the same as last season. Fifteen Local Appreciation Days, specially priced days open to all guests ($31 adult all-lift ticket, $18 for seniors and children) — are scheduled throughout the busy season.
Other improvements Wolf Creek is focusing on include widening Bonanza trail for beginner skiers and snowboarders, and enhancing the surface on Tranquility by adding topsoil for smoother early season conditions.
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