Last season featured new chairlifts at three Vermont ski resorts (at Burke, Mount Snow and Stowe — read about it <link http: www.skimaven.com post new-chairlifts-at-three-vermont-ski-resorts-for-2011-2012 _top>here), while this year only Jay Peak has a new lift. Investments were mostly steered toward snowmaking, trails and facilities at Vermont ski resorts for the 2012 - 2013 ski season. Here's a look at on-mountain investments that you'll see this season.
Bolton Valley
- no on-mountain improvements announced
Bromley Mountain
- base lodge renovations for the upcoming season
- 60 new HKD energy-efficient tower guns on five trails and the top of the mountain – a total investment of $200,000 in snowmaking
Burke Mountain
- more than 100 high efficiency snow and fan guns have been installed, increasing snowmaking capacity by over 50%
- five new glades for this season
- looking to the future: Purchased by Jay Peak in May, Burke recently announced $108 million dollars will be invested over three years into snowmaking and on-mountain accommodations, including four mountain lodge facilities
Jay Peak Resort
- new fixed-grip quad chair will carry guests from the State Side base area, over the 720 terrain park, unloading just above the Taxi trail, providing easier access to the Tram side of the mountain
- also a new moving carpet lift on State Side for beginners
- new Mountain Learning Center at State Side with a rental-and-repair shop, ski-and-ride school, café and a daycare center.
- new restaurant in the Sky Haus – the top terminal of the tram
- looking to the future: $170 million will be invested over the next three years to open the West Bowl and continuing improving upon State Side
Killington Resort
- construction of a new Peak Lodge continues and is expected to be done by the end of 2013
- continued upgrades to snowmaking systems and trails
Mad River Glen
- no on-mountain improvements announced – hey, it's Mad River after all
Magic Mountain
- this season is the beginning of a three-year plan to expand Magic’s snowmaking system – when done the ski area will be 70% covered with snowmaking
Middlebury College Snow Bowl
- no on-mountain improvements announced
Mount Snow Resort
- introducing its Official Burton Learn to Ride Center this season
- new sushi restaurant in the base lodge
Okemo Mountain Resort
- three new gladed areas add 16 acres of tree skiing and riding
- two new grooming machines added to the fleet include another Prinoth 500 horsepower Beast and a Prinoth Bison Park Cat
- an additional Waffle Cabin installed at Jackson Gore
Pico Mountain
- no on-mountain improvements announced
Smugglers’ Notch Resort
- an investment of over $1 million in snowmaking enhancements will bring an additional 150 high-efficiency tower guns and a new electric compressor to Smuggs this season
- a new natural feature terrain park for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders in the Knight’s Revenge glade on Madonna Mountain, between Lower Rumrunner and Lower Madonna Liftline
Stowe Mountain Resort
- $4.7 million dollars in new snowmaking equipment and upgrades that include 325 HKD tower guns, 150 land guns, 16 Super Pole Cat fan guns and seven miles of new snowmaking pipe
Stratton Mountain
- a new intermediate trail called Sunbeam
- more snowmaking coverage on Duck Soup and Spillway
- continued glade work
- new boardercross course that will host camps
Sugarbush Resort
- no on-mountain improvements announced
Photo of expanded snowmaking at Burke Mountain.
