Vermont heads into 2007-2008 with lots of snowmaking capacity, discount offers, and green technology

Because of early cold temperatures and upgrades in snowmaking technology, some ski mountains were able to open for the 2007-2008 skiing and riding season as early this year as the first half of November. Vermont mountains continue their efforts this year to show environmental stewardship by various improvements and innovations, like purchasing renewable energy certificates (also known as ‘green tags’) and carbon offsets, purchasing power from renewable resources; implementing energy conservation upgrades; using energy-efficient Low-E snow guns and snowmaking systems. The following is a mountain-by-mountain rundown of new features and programs at Vermont ski areas:

Ascutney Mountain Resort -- Brownsville
New features at Ascutney for the coming season include a new spa, new trails, a NATO Telemark Clinic, a complete resort village renovation, a new snowboard development team, additions to the grooming fleet, new electric compressors, and a refurbished fitness center. Also new this year are the complete renovations of the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, kids’ playground, and tennis courts.

Bolton Valley – Bolton
Three new parks are being designed by Snow Park Technologies to grace the snow at Bolton. Other new features at Bolton Valley include a Full Burton Progression Park; a Burton Learn to Ride Freestyle Program; and a women’s program called the Bolton Bombshells. This customized women’s program includes weekly skills clinics; lift, lesson and childcare packages; daily ride and slide times for women; two winter camps; and other innovative programming aimed at building the women’s skiing and riding community. Other offerings are guided backcountry ski and ride tours (Nordic, Tele and AT) to explore Bolton Valley’s 5,000 acres of powder stashes, chutes, and tree runs, and an eight-mile back country Nordic tour between Bolton and Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. Building on the Night Rider Snowboard Park Competition, Bolton Valley will introduce a Wednesday Night Terrain Park Competition. The competition will run concurrently with the snowboard competition but will use separate features, judges, and prizes. Visitors may also join the Learn to Ski Freestyle Program, with terrain park-based skiing instruction. Finally, a $32 Powder to the People program offer full-day lift tickets for $32 Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Bromley Mountain -- Manchester Center
New at Bromley this year is a freshly cut intermediate glade and expanded snow making on Lower Shincracker and Run Around 1 and 2. Additionally, 20 tower guns and a snow cat were added to keep all that new snow groomed right. The new glade, Spring Fling, connects Spring Trail with Lower Twister, and provides a new spot for skiers and riders who want to learn to ski the trees or learn to ski them better.

Burke Mountain Ski Area -- East Burke
Burke offers complimentary high speed Internet access in both lodges, and an Internet Café in the Sherburne Base Lodge. All departments are involved in the Ski Green effort at Burke. In addition to a recycling program, Burke uses energy efficient snowmaking guns, bio-diesel and works closely with Efficiency Vermont to reduce its carbon pollution.

Cochran’s Ski Area -- Richmond
For the 2007-08 season, Cochran’s is moving ahead with the installation of a modern snowmaking system that will cover over 50 percent of terrain. This $400,000 phase-one project will guarantee top-to-bottom skiing for instruction, recreation and race training. Future plans call for additional snowmaking, upgrades to the lodge and lifts, and increased programming to serve the year round needs of the community.

Jay Peak – Jay
An A+ season pass program, snowmaking upgrades, and a new cross-country trail network round out this season’s improvements at Jay Peak. College students can now show off their smarts with New England’s newest college season pass, the Triple Major. Mad River Glen will teams up with Jay Peak Resort and Bolton Valley to offer unlimited access to all three resorts, all winter, for $329. There are no restrictions at any of the resorts, and the pass includes night skiing at Bolton Valley until 9 p.m. These the three Vermont mountains offer nearly 1,000 inches of snowfall and 180 trails, glades and chutes. Mad River Glen’s secret stash can be found in 800 acres of boundary-to-boundary off-piste skiing. Bolton Valley operates Vermont’s most extensive night skiing. Jay Peak offers 2,000 feet of vertical skiing, accessed by Vermont’s only 60-passenger aerial tram. Jay’s cross-country trail network has expanded to 20 kilometers of traditional and skate skiing trails and more than 5 kilometers of snowshoe trails. New trails have been set all along the golf course cart paths and out by the existing Ullr's Loop. The Jay Trail Way is a walking/hiking trail system that runs up and down the length of the Jay Branch Brook, up to Ullr’s woods, and near the base of the West Bowl.

Killington – Killington
Killington Resort enters the 2007-2008 season with $5.3 million in resort improvements and new environmental initiatives designed to reduce the resort’s carbon impact. Leading the list of improvements are upgrades to the snowmaking system; remodeling and upgrades at Long Trail Pub at the Snowshed Lodge; selected lifts and lodges and the Killington Grand Resort Hotel and Spa. There are new Ski and Snowboard School programs for children; new Burton Learn to Ride program, and two new lift access cards, the Killington Countdown Card and the Killington/Pico Express Card. This season, Killington provides skiers and snowboarders learning opportunities that focus on innovative teaching techniques with new Max 3 and Max 5 children’s programs and the Burton Learn to Ride program.

The new Killington/Pico Express Card offers skiers and riders opportunities to save up to $20 per day throughout the season. The Killington/Pico Express Card provides “pay-as-you-go” flexibility and the convenience of skipping the ticket windows and going directly to the lift. The new Killington Countdown Card, offered in pre-paid six and 10-day increments, offers guests savings up to 20 percent over regular window ticket prices. The Countdown Card works by presenting the card and a photo ID at any Killington ticket window. Skiers will then be issued a ticket for the day and the visit will be deducted from the card’s balance.

New webcams at Bear Mountain and Pico Mountain will allow on-line users a fresh look at real-time conditions. To improve access, the water slide adjacent to the Superstar Trail and the former ice skating rink in front of the K-1 Lodge have been was removed. Killington continues to improve snowmaking operations and lower its overall carbon footprint by increasing its low-energy snow gun arsenal by 10 percent this season. Additional snowmaking upgrades include rebuilt pump houses, hydrants, pipe replacement, 20 state-of-the-art snowcats, and computer upgrades to improve system efficiency.

Mad River Glen -- Fayston
The 2008 season marks a new era as Mad River Glen unveils its spanking new Single Chair. The Single Chair has long been the embodiment of the mountain’s rugged, practical, and unique personality. For 58 years, the Single Chair brought generations of skiers to the top of General Stark Mountain and now future generations of skiers will get the same opportunity to enjoy that smooth and silent ride. The restored single has the identical lift capacity (500 skiers per hour) and, to the untrained eye, looks nearly identical to the original. All of the components and the drive are new. The lattice towers and the return station framework have been reused. The grand opening of the Single Chair takes place on December 15.

Magic Mountain -- Londonderry
Magic Mountain will come into the 2007-2008 season under new ownership of JLS Magic LLC. To combat the low natural snow periods, Magic Mountain is quadrupling the size of its snowmaking pond. The new pond will provide much-needed relief as Magic Mountain increases the quality and quantity of man-made snow.

Middlebury College Snowbowl -- Middlebury
Extensive trail work is being done this fall on the collegiate race trail at the college’s Carroll and Jane Rikert Ski Touring Center at Breadloaf. Some existing culverts are being replaced and several new culverts are being added to eliminate many water bars that are perennially wet and tough to keep covered with snow. Some sections of the trail will also be re-contoured to produce a 10K trail that with an overall improved skiability. The Snowbowl will become the first eastern ski area to acquire an Alge Dot- Matrix LED scoreboard, the type used extensively at European ski areas. Coupled with a wireless transmitter, the display will be used to display race results and as a daily message board for all customers. After becoming the first totally carbon neutral ski area in the country in 06-07, the Snow Bowl will offset all of its carbon emissions again this year. This includes emissions associated with all sources of on-mountain fuel consumption and emissions from automobiles caused by customer travel.

Mountain Top Inn & Resort – Chittenden
The Mountain Top Inn & Resort will host the 2008 New England Women’s XC Ski Day on February 3, 2008. The sixth annual Women's Ski Day is designed to encourage cross-country skiing as lifelong recreation for women, self, and family. This event invites never-evers, beginners, and intermediate skiers of all ages to attend with little or no equipment. As the women arrive they will be welcomed by the staff, outfitted with proper equipment and their skis will be waxed. They can choose from clinics at all levels to learn various techniques. Industry representatives will be there with equipment and clothing for attendees to try out and purchase. At the conclusion of the day there will be a non-competitive, pair relay, with awards and prizes. Special guest room rates are available at the resort for attendees.

Mount Snow – West Dover
Mount Snow has a variety of races, contests, and fun activities planned for the coming winter season. Last season’s Walk of the Santas, when more than 100 people dressed as Santa Claus strolled the resort grounds, is set for a re-play on December 8, along with a Holiday Art and Craft show in the Sundance Base Lodge. Families will want to take advantage of two Youth Pay Their Age Day specials on December 16 and January 6, when the cost of a lift ticket is the age for kids aged 6 to18. The three Grommet Jams on December 30, January 21, and February 15 are popular with children age 6-12 seeking instruction on using terrain park features. Returning favorites include the Anti-Gravity Grail Series from February 29 to March 2, a three-day freestyle extravaganza consisting of a slope style and half pipe competition, as well as the Mega Mother Hucker big air contest. Season pass holders always mark their calendars for the Passholder Appreciation Weekend from March 15 to 16, which features two days of special activities and a huge party.

Mount Snow’s reputation for quirky events will be well represented during its Mardi Gras Festival (February 9) and its Reggae Festival Weekend (March 29-30). The reggae weekend will include the annual Sink or Skim pond skim competition on March 29 and a Duct Tape Derby Cardboard Race on March 30.

New events this season include the Rock Maple Racing Central Series Snocross Finals on April 5-6 in the Carinthia area. Mount Snow is upgrading its snowmaking capabilities for the 2007-08 season with $3.5 million in fan gun technology. After the upgrade, the wide Snowdance trail could be covered side-to-side with greater base depth. Polecat fan guns require 20-25 percent less compressed air than other technologies, while putting out more snow in marginal temperatures. Also, the Clock Tower building will have a new clock face, designed by Wood & Wood Sign Systems of Waitsfield. The Clock Tower exterior was re-painted earlier in the summer as part of a $2.5 million refresh project.

Okemo – Ludlow
This year marks the official introduction of snow tubing at the Jackson Gore base area, with three contoured lanes of tubular delight accessible by a Stargazer Carpet surface lift. First-time or beginner skiers and snowboarders are welcome to take part in a free beginner program to learn to ski or snowboard. This package includes a lower-mountain lift ticket, a group lesson, and rental equipment. This free program is available from November 26 to December 21. Plans for achieving more terrain variety include allowing a few difficult trails to take on more natural characteristics by grooming less often, and extra grooming on other trails to make the snow surface more interesting. On the Lower Tomahawk trail, a FamilyCross park will offer intermediate skiers and riders a chance to enjoy a playful assortment of big bank turns, rollers, and snow mounds. For more adventurous snow sliders, Okemo features six terrain parks, including the SoBe Superpipe, with 18-foot high walls.

A new 400-foot surface lift will offer additional access to the newly extended and re-graded Bright Star Basin beginner trail at Jackson Gore. It will serve as an access for visitors at Jackson Gore’s new Adams House and Bixby House and will open up more teaching terrain at Jackson Gore. Okemo’s emphasis this year is on making snow more efficiently. Thirty new tower guns will be installed in narrow slopes and access trails requiring focused throw. With the completion of the Bixby House, 28 families will have a slope side vacation residence this winter. Finally, Okemo’s base lodge is receiving a retro re-do with fresh colors and new carpeting.

Smugglers’ Notch Resort -- Smugglers’ Notch
Smugglers’ is presenting skiers and riders with still more glades this winter, bringing the Resort’s total gladed area to more than 45 acres and 22 percent of the total skiable area. Some of the new gladed terrain will be on skier’s right of the venerable Doc Dempsey’s trail on Madonna, a challenging area. The is getting a make-over with new inflatables: a giant obstacle course, a child’s obstacle course, a fidget ladder, a crawl-through for the eight and under crowd and an indoor mini-golf course. This indoor play area has been a hit with families since its creation eight years ago. The Little Rascals on Snow program offers parents the option to put their toddlers on snow at Treasures, where a new 22-foot Wonder Carpet lift will be installed in the child care center’s playground for easily accessible sliding on snow. Smugglers' is continuing to offer the comprehensive Club Smugglers' Advantage Package, which contains a top priority for families: lessons for the kids. Among many other entertainment and activity features, including a three-mountain lift pass for everyone on the plan, lessons are offered for children and first-time adults. Lodging and use of the FunZone are also part of the plan.

Stowe Mountain Resort -- Stowe
Extensive improvements include a new inter-mountain transfer lift, new trails, a new beginner area, new high-speed detachable quads, new fully-automated snowmaking, new mountainside residences, and a new Audubon Signature Sanctuary mountain golf course. Also, coming in the spring of 2008 is Stowe Mountain Lodge, the first mountainside luxury hotel to debut in the east in over 50 years. Once completed, a new mountain community called Spruce Peak at Stowe will offer the intimacy of a charming New England village with exceptional quality and amenities never before seen in the East. The area will be a lively four-season hub with a pedestrian plaza and village green, dining, shopping, spa and fitness facilities, championship golf and a performing arts center. A limited selection of residences is now available. Spruce Peak at Stowe has maintained a strong commitment to environmental stewardship at every step of its creation. An Environmental Charter guides all aspects of the development in a way that preserves the area’s ecological viability. This includes designating 2,000 acres of the surrounding forest for wildlife preservation and a host of environmental accomplishments.

Stratton Mountain – Stratton
With more than $2.1 million in on-mountain improvements this year, a 560-foot covered magic carpet, a redesigned Tamarack beginner area, a new Burton Progression Park, and 100 new snow guns, Stratton is ready for winter. Stratton’s slate of winter events kicks off on November 23 with the Second Annual Gobble Gobble Wobble 5k Fun Run, and continues through the season, highlighted by the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer snowshoe race on February 9, the US Open Snowboarding Championships March 17–23, and the Vermont Freeskiing Open March 26–30. This season Stratton will also celebrate 25 years of the Stratton Snowboard School. As part of the celebration, the mountain and Burton’s Learn to Ride program will team up to construct a kids’ progression park. This terrain park is designed to teach newcomers how to ride freestyle terrain. Stratton Snowboard School will be offering 25 percent off any lesson on the 25th of each month as well as discounts at Syd and Dusty’s snowboard shop in Stratton Village.

Sugarbush Resort -- Warren
Sugarbush enters its second season with Lincoln Peak Village by hiring Gerry Noonan as the resort executive chef. Nooney, a former teacher at the New England Culinary Institute, ran the most popular restaurant in the Mad River Valley. He donned the toque at Timbers this past summer and has been perfecting some signature dishes ever since.