New for the 2006-2007 Season
| Lake Tahoe |
| Heavenly Mountain Resort - Heavenly has dedicated another $5 million toward resort improvements for the 2006-2007 season, bringing the total dollars spent on improvements to over $45 million since joining Vail Resorts five years ago. This latest infusion of cash will improve snow surfaces with high-tech snowmaking and grooming, provide Wi-Fi access in all our base lodges, expand ski and snowboard school programs and will also strengthen the Resort’s dedication to environmental stewardship. Heavenly’s slopes will receive even more meticulous attention with five new Bombardier350 groomers and one winch-cat for high-angle grooming. All new groomers and snowmobiles have category 3 “green” low-emission engines, as does Heavenly’s fleet of South Lake Tahoe shuttle busses. Heavenly’s state-of-the-art snowmaking system, which services 70% of the mountain’s runs, will also see improvements for the coming season. Also new for 2006-07, Heavenly’s ski and ride school is further addressing guests’ need for a safe and educational introduction to park riding with a new Beginner Freeride area at the top of the Gondola. Coupled with Heavenly’s existing park system, designed with progressively advancing features, the Beginner Freeride program will help set students up for jibbing success with hits and rails mere inches off the ground. |
| Squaw Valley USA - Squaw Valley USA is proud to introduce Squaw Sessions, a ski and snowboard camp for teens, offered during holidays and peak periods. Not your average ski school, Squaw Sessions will teach teens about the origins of the freeride movement at Squaw Valley, as well as tools to master terrain park and big mountain skiing and riding. Squaw Valley is introducing Squaw Valley TV. There will be flat screen plasma TVs placed in areas like the Cable Car lobby and the rental shop. At these Squaw Valley TV terminals guests can view real time lift updates, info on conditions and upcoming events and activities to ensure that they are dressed for the weather and never miss out on what’s going on at Squaw. Last season Squaw Valley introduced an on-mountain Demo Center located at the top of the Funitel in the Gold Coast Lodge. The popularity of this convenient amenity has prompted additional improvements to the Demo Center including a new women-specific line to cater to the distinct intricacies of the female body. There will also be a brand new fleet of skis including the newest models of K2, Atomic, Volkl, Rossignol, and Salomon. |
| Northstar-at-Tahoe - Phase One of the new Village at Northstar will be complete this upcoming winter. New shops, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants will complement the ice skating rink and nine fire pits located at the heart of the Village. Northstar has also completed a new parking lot and 2 new Doppelmayr lifts. The new lifts include a high-speed six-pack called the Tahoe Zephyr which dramatically improves access to the Backside and a surface lift called Lookout Link for access to Lookout Mountain. For those who often find themselves struggling to decide whether to make a park lap or a powder run, The Stash offers the perfect solution. A collaborative new concept created by Jake Burton and Snow Park Technologies (SPT), The Stash combines park riding with backcountry feel and features…so riders can get their powder and park fix all in one run. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort has relocated its cross-country center to make room for the new Ritz-Carlton Highlands resort being built at mid-mountain. The newly expanded 1,400 square foot cross-country center will be easily accessible from the top of the Gondola and will offer more convenient and direct access to the resort’s most popular and scenic cross-country trails. This winter Northstar Resort will offer South Shore lodging guests a unique mode of transportation to the slopes in true Tahoe style—on the world’s only aqua ski shuttle! The new shuttle package includes bus transportation in the morning from South Shore lodging properties to Northstar Resort for a full day of skiing/riding. |
| Sierra-at-Tahoe Snowsports Resort - Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort continues its trend of offering cutting-edge terrain features by adding seven innovative rails and boxes to its current fleet of 45 jibs this season. For those who are jib-phobic, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort has teamed up with industry leader, Burton Snowboards, to introduce its Progression Park this season with boxes, jumps and rails all located mere inches from the ground, in non-intimidating fashion. This will be the perfect training ground for those who have always wanted to test gravity, one inch at a time. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort’s ski and snowboard school facilities have undergone an “extreme makeover” to enhance the traffic flow and improve the guest experience. The new Adult Learn to Ride (LTR) center has been remodeled to include separate private/group lesson processing centers, more colorful and animated décor and improved flow to accelerate the lesson check-in process. Also, the Wild Mountain Children’s Center has increased the size of its indoor facility and added a separate rental facility for the 7-12 year olds which will also accelerate the check-in process for parents. Sierra™ Resort has partnered with some of the distinctive wineries of El Dorado County - an up-and-coming wine region that is a best-kept secret among Lake Tahoe and Sacramento locals - to offer wine tastings in the Sierra Pub. The tastings will be held twice a month from December-March. |
| Kirkwood Mountain Resort - While skis and snowboards have collected dust over the summer, Kirkwood has kept the sport fresh with a multitude of resort improvements including an improved ski/ride school facility, new lodge, increased expedition options, additional programs for women, expanded terrain parks and more. The new Timber Creek Day Learning Facility and expanded Burton Learn to Ride Center will improve the on-mountain experience for novice Kirkwood skiers and riders throughout the upcoming 2006-2007 winter season. Ranked by USA Today as one of the top ten places in North America to learn to ski, Timber Creek features a variety of fall line runs that create a natural progression on which to learn. A high-speed quad chairlift provides a quick trip to the top where skiers and riders have a plethora of trails and glades to choose from for their descent. In response to the growing number of women participating in snowsports, Kirkwood has expanded its partnership with Burton Snowboards, the world’s leading snowboard manufacturer, to offer a Women’s Learn-to-Ride Center geared toward providing new riders with a comfortable first time experience. |
| Alpine Meadows Ski Resort - Alpine Meadows has remained true to the soul of skiing and snowboarding, offering a mountain experience rich in pristine beauty and purely rewarding slopes. This season, the resort will feature a new winch cat for extensive high-angle grooming sure to accent the amazing terrain. In addition, an expanded terrain park will offer fun and excitement for all levels of park riding. And for the young ones in the bunch, Little Mountaineers Kids Camp provides a delightful experience for kids of every age and ability. A remodeled base-area lobby and reception area will complement the cozy environment found throughout the main lodge. And with two new shuttle buses added to the resort’s large fleet—providing daily service throughout the North Shore—traveling to and from the mountain will now be easier, faster, and more efficient. Alpine Meadows combines a truly authentic mountain experience with some of the easiest top-to-bottom access in the region. And the 2006/07 season promises to deliver something for everyone. With abundant lake views, six open bowls, and many secret, off-trail powder fields, Alpine Meadows is a winter haven for those who have a passion for winter beauty. |
| Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe - Pressing onward to meet the ever increasing demand, Mt. Rose – Ski Tahoe plans to increase parking capacity with the addition of over 400 parking spaces to compliment both the Main & Slide Lodge facilities. Knowing that one day is simply not enough, Mt. Rose has created a three day learning package appropriately titled the “Flight Plan.” Stemming from the already screaming $49 First-timer package, this all inclusive, multi-day product is only $99 and virtually ensures the guest will be well on their way towards achieving intermediate ability skills after three days of on snow experiences. Package includes: lift access (beginner lifts only), rental equipment, and beginning / novice instruction for three consecutive days. Facility improvements should also see the construction of a new Ski Patrol dispatch building centrally located between the unload stations of both 6 pack summit chairlifts providing efficient access to the entire mountain. Even after a huge snow year, Mt. Rose will continue to expand the snowmaking system to cover the upper section of the Silver Dollar run to help achieve early season access to the Slide Bowl. A new pump house will also be constructed to replace an aging structure off the Ponderosa trail. Topping off the million dollar planned expenditures will be a new snowcat, 2 additional mobile snow making machines, and new rental gear. |
| Diamond Peak Ski Resort - Diamond Peak is embracing the theory “We’re not getting older, we’re getting better.” As a celebration of their 40th anniversary, they’ve added new programs and specials. This year Diamond Peak has joined up with Burton Snowboards to become a Burton Learn To Ride Center. Diamond Peak will also offer Demo Snowboards this year. The fleet will consist of all new 2006-2007 model Burton Snowboards. Diamond Peak’s popular Last Tracks wine tasting event will be back again this year. Now, Last Tracks fans can purchase a Last Tracks Season Pass. This year, the Child Ski Center will offer a frequent private lesson program, and the Ski School is now offering even better deals for friends and families to learn together. |
| Royal Gorge Ski Resort - For the first time, Royal Gorge and Sugar Bowl are offering a combined season pass. Ski enthusiasts of all ages can now ski on all slopes and trails of these two magnificent ski areas. The choice is yours…. cross country ski one day and alpine ski the next. New trailside lodge lets you ski-in & ski-out at your leisure. Handily located just a few steps from the new Reindeer Trailhead, Ice Lakes Lodge is a beautiful Alpine Style Chalet offering guests the option of parking their car on check-in and leaving it there for their entire ski trip! Mountain Operations will take delivery of two new Prinoth / Bombardier Snow Cats prior to the opening of the 2006/07 season. |
| Mammoth Lakes |
| Mammoth Mountain Ski Area - The newest attraction at Mammoth Mountain for the 2006/07 winter season will be the state-of-the-art Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center designed to educate visitors about the surrounding area and the dynamic nature of the Eastern Sierra. The center will feature five interactive displays with facts about local geology, hydrology and the volcanic history of Mammoth Mountain, the Long Valley Caldera and more. Skiers and snowboarders have enjoyed rides to the top of Mammoth for years. With the addition of the Top of the Sierra Interpretive Center, Mammoths summit will truly be a destination for all types of people in all seasons. |
| Southern California |
| Snow Summit Mountain Resort - The Burton Progression Park is new this season at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, featuring smaller versions of advanced-size terrain, the groundbreaking progression park provides a comfortable, laid-back environment for riders who want to develop terrain park skills. The Burton Progression Park makes it easier for qualified coaches to help beginners progress to the next level by being on hand to give riders expert instruction on the basics of freestyle terrain. “Stop and Drop Zones” are strategically located before each terrain feature. Signage in each zone offers guidance with a “trick tip,” a Smart Style message, and a picture of the feature. It’s all designed to demonstrate how freestyle snowboarding is done best – with safety and with style. |
| Bear Mountain Resort - The Burton Progression Park is new this season at Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, featuring smaller versions of advanced-size terrain, the groundbreaking progression park provides a comfortable, laid-back environment for riders who want to develop terrain park skills. The Burton Progression Park makes it easier for qualified coaches to help beginners progress to the next level by being on hand to give riders expert instruction on the basics of freestyle terrain. “Stop and Drop Zones” are strategically located before each terrain feature. Signage in each zone offers guidance with a “trick tip,” a Smart Style message, and a picture of the feature. It’s all designed to demonstrate how freestyle snowboarding is done best – with safety and with style. |
| Central Sierra |
| Bear Valley Mountain Resort - Bear Valley Mountain Resort’s improvements include a new high-speed lift, streamlined check-in for rentals along with a new line of ski and snowboarding equipment, website registration and expanded lodge seating. Among the most significant improvements to the Resort this season is the addition of a new high-speed quad lift, dubbed Polar Express, which will provide faster loading, a smoother ride and power redundancy to ensure always-on operation. The new lift represents one of the most advanced, environmentally-friendly high speed quad lifts in production, transporting skiers to the summit in less than half the time of the previous lift. The rental area has become more family friendly, offering helmets at no additional charge for all kids 12 years old and under in support of the “Lids on Kids” program – an initiative led by the National Ski Areas Association. All lesson packages for kids under 12 years old will include helmets as well. The equipment in Bear Valley’s rental area has been upgraded with an expanded line of new gear that features Burton equipment, helmets, snowboards and boots. |
| Sierra Summit Mountain Resort - Sierra Summit is following up two new chairlifts in the past two years with even more improvements this season! Most exciting is the addition of a new learning area serviced by an easy-to-ride moving carpet complete with snowmaking capabilities. We are adding two new snowcats to our fleet for and we are installing a new loading area at Chair One with a moving carpet that will allow easier access and increase lift efficiency. For those who enjoy first tracks, we will be opening the lifts earlier on weekends and holidays and installing the first phase of snowmaking on the Westridge. For added guest comfort, we are also expanding the Mainstream Station to include more indoor seating and food service, adding more parking and remodeling our rental and repair shops. |