Whitetail has had a very busy summer, putting the finishing touches on the most mountain improvements the Pennsylvania ski area has seen in the last decade. Visitors this winter will find a brand new trail, as well as a new double chairlift installed specifically to service the terrain park.

The new beginner trail starts at the top of Snow Park and winds its way through the valley, ending at the bottom of Fanciful. According to Matt See, Whitetail’s Marketing Coordinator, the new trail is the longest on the mountain, clocking in at over 2,800 feet in length and over 80 feet in width. The makes it longer than expert slope Far Side, previously Whitetail’s longest slope. Whitetail held a contest over the summer to name the new trail, and the winning name was Sidewinder. To keep Sidewinder covered with snow, Whitetail purchased and installed 26 brand new Areco fan guns. The trail will be lit for night skiing.

Whitetail has also taken a big step towards improving traffic flow along Angel Drop by installing a new 1,000-foot long double chairlift. The chairlift will service the Jib Junction Terrain Park, allowing park goers to quickly get back up to the top of the park without riding the Whitetail Express. This should significantly decrease crowding at the top of Angel Drop.

Whitetail also upgraded snowmaking and power at the bottom of the Fanciful trail, which the resort says will allow for future upgrades and expansions.

With the final bill tallied, Whitetail has invested over $2.7 million in improvements for the 2008-2009 winter season. The last significant terrain expansion occurred at Whitetail in 1994, when the resort added the Northern Lights beginner trail and Lift Off Quad.