Summer 2023 Area Upgrades
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20 users
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msprings
6 months ago
Member since 07/4/2014 🔗
152 posts

I’ve been listening to the Storm Skiing Podcast and they recently interview the GM of the Vail LH Trio (7S, HV, LM), and the COO of Pacific Group Resorts (Wisp & Wintergreen). There were some mentions of upgrades in both episodes, so I thought that starting a new thread might be a good idea. Some upcoming upgrades:

7 Springs:   Adding trees to separate Lost Boy from Alpine and North Face, along with Snowmaking upgrades.

Hidden Valley: Nothing

Laurel Mountain: Nothing

WISP: Some mention of replacing the WISP Chair 1 before the double-triple with a significant upgrade. Maybe High Speed 4?


Anyone know of any other panned upgrades this upcoming offseason?

Grumpy dad
6 months ago
Member since 11/7/2021 🔗
113 posts


 Hmm, there are already trees along lost boy from top to bottom, unless they mean the very top then that would be like maybe ...5 trees ?

Quite the list of improvements for the laurel highlands.  Total investment , $25 bucks. 

msprings wrote:

I’ve been listening to the Storm Skiing Podcast and they recently interview the GM of the Vail LH Trio (7S, HV, LM), and the COO of Pacific Group Resorts (Wisp & Wintergreen). There were some mentions of upgrades in both episodes, so I thought that starting a new thread might be a good idea. Some upcoming upgrades:

7 Springs:   Adding trees to separate Lost Boy from Alpine and North Face, along with Snowmaking upgrades.

Hidden Valley: Nothing

Laurel Mountain: Nothing

WISP: Some mention of replacing the WISP Chair 1 before the double-triple with a significant upgrade. Maybe High Speed 4?


Anyone know of any other panned upgrades this upcoming offseason?

GGNagy
6 months ago
Member since 01/5/2006 🔗
496 posts


 I know that some people scoff at the idea that everything is not already fully meshed with high speed internet, but anyone that knows the relative remoteness of Laurel Mountain (which sits on State Park Land) knows that an internet upgrade would be an important improvement to the ski area. Hopefully they will be improve the power utility infrastructure to the ski area as well.  

Grumpy dad wrote:


 Hmm, there are already trees along lost boy from top to bottom, unless they mean the very top then that would be like maybe ...5 trees ?

Quite the list of improvements for the laurel highlands.  Total investment , $25 bucks. 

msprings wrote:

I’ve been listening to the Storm Skiing Podcast and they recently interview the GM of the Vail LH Trio (7S, HV, LM), and the COO of Pacific Group Resorts (Wisp & Wintergreen). There were some mentions of upgrades in both episodes, so I thought that starting a new thread might be a good idea. Some upcoming upgrades:

7 Springs:   Adding trees to separate Lost Boy from Alpine and North Face, along with Snowmaking upgrades.

Hidden Valley: Nothing

Laurel Mountain: Nothing

WISP: Some mention of replacing the WISP Chair 1 before the double-triple with a significant upgrade. Maybe High Speed 4?


Anyone know of any other panned upgrades this upcoming offseason?

teleman
6 months ago
Member since 07/8/2005 🔗
170 posts
Massanutten will be replacing the number six chair with a high speed detachable quad. 


DCSki Sponsor: Canaan Valley Resort
Patf1engineer
6 months ago
Member since 01/23/2018 🔗
49 posts

The power limitations at Laurel are known to management and I believe they will be working to address that, however that is not entirely up to them either. Getting power to the resort addressed gives them the ability to install more outlets for portable fan guns and would be very beneficial especially in known problem areas. Patrol has also expressed concerns over lighting along the chair line if we ever had to do an evac.

 

GGNagy wrote:


 I know that some people scoff at the idea that everything is not already fully meshed with high speed internet, but anyone that knows the relative remoteness of Laurel Mountain (which sits on State Park Land) knows that an internet upgrade would be an important improvement to the ski area. Hopefully they will be improve the power utility infrastructure to the ski area as well.  

rbrtlav
6 months ago
Member since 12/2/2008 🔗
570 posts
Snowshoe is putting in a fixed grip quad to replace the powder monkey triple.
msprings
5 months ago
Member since 07/4/2014 🔗
152 posts

From Seven Springs:

"In early May, Seven Springs Mountain Resort will begin work on several projects on and around a section of Village Trail. The scope of this project includes enhancements to the snowmaking system and the installation of new snowmaking guns and LED lights. We expect this project to conclude later this summer. For your safety and the safety of our team and partners, please keep away from the site and equipment. Thank you for your partnership and support of the resort and the project."

snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
5 months ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,528 posts

Last year at HV the snow tubing was closed supposedly for a safety issue and the poor condition Mauch/Nutting left the snow tubing lodge. Additionally, they need to finish the ski lodge deck construction which includes installation of a stone veneer on the block foundation wall they built. The rear wall of the ski lodge has substantial rotting siding and trim that needs to be replaced. They have been touching up the exterior painting. I assume these are generally considered 'maintenance' projects and not upgrades or improvements. But it needs to get done.

As far as Laurel, it would be nice if they could get a few more portable fan guns to open terrain that does not have fixed stick guns. Not sure if that is in the works, though? 

Bonzski
3 months ago
Member since 10/21/2015 🔗
626 posts

Not going to happen this summer, but the Timberline and CVR area homeowners will be happy with this news....

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced $12,037,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Canaan Valley Public Service District and the Hodgeville Public Service District. The funding will support upgrading and improving water infrastructure in Davis, Buckhannon and the surrounding communities.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $8,000,000 – Canaan Valley Public Service District, Davis
    • This funding will be used to construct a new water treatment plant, which will serve the Timberline Four Seasons Resort, Beaver Ridge Resort, Northpoint Homeowners Association, North Lake Homeowners Association and Black Bear Woods Resort.
  • $4,037,000 – Hodgeville Public Service District, Buckhannon
    • This funding will be used to replace approximately 1,200 water meters and approximately 21,500 linear feet of main water line, as well as install new water storage tanks and booster pump stations.

chaga
3 months ago
Member since 11/24/2009 🔗
610 posts

canaan repairing water lines

timberline adding more fixed polecat gun towers. 

marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

teleman wrote:

Massanutten will be replacing the number six chair with a high speed detachable quad. 


 On May 24, Mnut posted video on Facebook of the helicopter flying the towers in place for the new lift.  Can see the lower ones in place on the webcam.

bousquet19 - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago
Member since 02/23/2006 🔗
748 posts

marzNC wrote:

teleman wrote:

Massanutten will be replacing the number six chair with a high speed detachable quad. 


 On May 24, Mnut posted video on Facebook of the helicopter flying the towers in place for the new lift.  Can see the lower ones in place on the webcam.

Teleman and marzNC, it’s really exciting that The ‘Nut is installing a high speed detachable quad to the summit. I enjoyed trying out the new trails this past season; they provide so much more variety in terrain and scenery.

And, in early January 2024, I’ll pay a mere $19 for my season’s pass there. Thanks Massanutten! 

Enjoying each month but thinking snow. ⛷️ 

Woody

teleman
3 months ago
Member since 07/8/2005 🔗
170 posts

For decades, I’ve been wanting a trail under 6.  I hope they let it bump up.  It was skied in 93 and 96 after the big storms.  Looking forward to this finally becoming a reality.

bousquet19 wrote:

marzNC wrote:

teleman wrote:

Massanutten will be replacing the number six chair with a high speed detachable quad. 


 On May 24, Mnut posted video on Facebook of the helicopter flying the towers in place for the new lift.  Can see the lower ones in place on the webcam.

Teleman and marzNC, it’s really exciting that The ‘Nut is installing a high speed detachable quad to the summit. I enjoyed trying out the new trails this past season; they provide so much more variety in terrain and scenery.

And, in early January 2024, I’ll pay a mere $19 for my season’s pass there. Thanks Massanutten! 

Enjoying each month but thinking snow. ⛷️ 

Woody

 

JimK - DCSki Columnist
3 months ago
Member since 01/14/2004 🔗
2,895 posts

bousquet19 wrote:

Teleman and marzNC, it’s really exciting that The ‘Nut is installing a high speed detachable quad to the summit. I enjoyed trying out the new trails this past season; they provide so much more variety in terrain and scenery.

And, in early January 2024, I’ll pay a mere $19 for my season’s pass there. Thanks Massanutten! 

Enjoying each month but thinking snow. ⛷️ 

Woody

 Woody, let's have a 70th birthday party ski day at Massanutten next January :-)

Crush
3 months ago
Member since 03/21/2004 🔗
1,170 posts
amazing - not
bousquet19 - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago
Member since 02/23/2006 🔗
748 posts

JimK wrote:

Bousquet19 wrote:

(snip) … And, in early January 2024, I’ll pay a mere $19 for my season’s pass there. Thanks Massanutten! 

Enjoying each month but thinking snow. ⛷️ 

Woody

 Woody, let's have a 70th birthday party ski day at Massanutten next January :-)

 Great idea JimK! 

A gathering of former sexagenarians at Massanutten. 😃 

The Colonel - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago
Member since 03/5/2004 🔗
3,110 posts

bousquet19 wrote:

JimK wrote:

Bousquet19 wrote:

(snip) … And, in early January 2024, I’ll pay a mere $19 for my season’s pass there. Thanks Massanutten! 

Jim and Woody,

you youngun’s, any chance an octogenarian get in on the day at Massanutten?!!

The Colonel       Morgan Birge

Enjoying each month but thinking snow. ⛷️ 

Woody

 Woody, let's have a 70th birthday party ski day at Massanutten next January :-)

 Great idea JimK! 

A gathering of former sexagenarians at Massanutten. 😃 

 

bousquet19 - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago (edited 3 months ago)
Member since 02/23/2006 🔗
748 posts

The Colonel wrote:

bousquet19 wrote:

JimK wrote:

Bousquet19 wrote:

(snip) … And, in early January 2024, I’ll pay a mere $19 for my season’s pass there. Thanks Massanutten! 

Jim and Woody,

you youngun’s, any chance an octogenarian get in on the day at Massanutten?!!

The Colonel       Morgan Birge

Enjoying each month but thinking snow. ⛷️ 

Woody

 Woody, let's have a 70th birthday party ski day at Massanutten next January :-)

 Great idea JimK! 

A gathering of former sexagenarians at Massanutten. 😃 

 

 Of course, Colonel!

The more ‘generians the better!

Woody

marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

bousquet19 wrote:

The more ‘generians the better!

Woody

 Oh good, I've got a few more years before I qualify for 70+ discounts.  :-)

If you decide to meet up during the week of Jan. 8, I'll be at Massanutten then for my annual stay.

bousquet19 - DCSki Supporter 
3 months ago
Member since 02/23/2006 🔗
748 posts

JimK, The Colonel, and marzNC,

A meetup at Massanutten next season sounds great, whether it’s on my birthday (January 5) or some time later. 

Let’s move any further discussion, if needed, to PMs so this thread about Summer 2023 improvements can get back on track. If there are any announcements to make about meetups, we can start a new thread when the time comes.

Woody

Thefirewarde
one month ago
Member since 09/17/2015 🔗
108 posts
Further details on 7S snowmaking - I hear they're getting at least two new trails of HKD towers, possibly with Klik hydrants. Tyrol and Alpine/Spot were mentioned.
msprings
one month ago
Member since 07/4/2014 🔗
152 posts
Tyrol has already received new HKD orange head sticks. I don’t know the specific type of hkd gun. 
marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
one month ago (edited one month ago)
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

There are a few pictures of the new detachable lift on the Massanutten Facebook page.  The chairs are hung in the parking section.  Also the pipes for communication cable and snowmaking water in the trench.

msprings
25 days ago
Member since 07/4/2014 🔗
152 posts
I saw Hidden Valley got a couple new fan guns from their IG page.
snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
24 days ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,528 posts

Yes, 4 new Techno Alpine TR8 fan guns were installed to replace the old TA fan guns that had worn out. The whole system is completely automated and can be run from a computer terminal. Last year they added 6 new portable HKD KLIK stick guns. 

1693846134_lpevigxgusao.jpg

needawax
23 days ago
Member since 04/19/2019 🔗
24 posts
Looks like HV's ye olde sunrise and sunset lifts got some fresh paint, too.
Patf1engineer
23 days ago (edited 23 days ago)
Member since 01/23/2018 🔗
49 posts

Timberline has continued to replace and upgrade pipe including addressing issues on Almost Heaven which was not open much last season. I have heard they want to be able to simultaneously operate up to 85% of their guns when done. Have also heard some chatter that they have been doing some cleanup in glade areas. 

Wisp has also had some posts on their Facebook page about pipe replacement and other snowmaking work.

Patf1engineer
23 days ago
Member since 01/23/2018 🔗
49 posts


 Now if they could get them to go faster and not stop every 30 seconds...... 

needawax wrote:

Looks like HV's ye olde sunrise and sunset lifts got some fresh paint, too.
marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
23 days ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

Stopped by Massanutten on the way to Lake Placid a few weeks ago.  The Creekside lift was running for tourist rides so I got a chance to see the base of the new detachable quad up close.  The load test had been completed a few days before.  The goal is to have Summit running for fall colors.

1693940451_gfwyjtqtshum.jpg

wgo
20 days ago (edited 20 days ago)
Member since 02/10/2004 🔗
1,588 posts

Video of the new lift at Mnut - I think you need a Facebook account to view. It will be open tomorrow, Sept 9!

https://fb.watch/mXqg_fW_nq/?mibextid=Nif5oz

marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
20 days ago (edited 20 days ago)
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

wgo wrote:

Video of the new lift at Mnut - I think you need a Facebook account to view. It will be open tomorrow, Sept 9!

https://fb.watch/mXqg_fW_nq/?mibextid=Nif5oz

 How cool!  Looks like the ride will be about 4 minutes.  That's about half as long as the old fixed-grip quad.  It will be running for scenic rides every weekend before ski season starts.

Apparently the contract for the lift was signed back in January 2022.

Massanutten Resort Replaces Lift Six, Offers First Scenic Rides This Weekend - Sept. 7, 2023

padjaski68
4 days ago
Member since 01/21/2016 🔗
89 posts

Is it me or is the mid-Atlantic areas quiet this summer on upgrades. Only Blue Mountain and Manasutten have actively been posting on their social media pages. Snowshoe hasn't provide any updates on the new quad or snowmaking upgrades they announced or anything about the replacement for Shavers.

Yes 7 Springs an Hidden Valley replaced some equipment and piping.

Hopefully we will seen more announcements soon. 

Patf1engineer
4 days ago
Member since 01/23/2018 🔗
49 posts

padjaski68 wrote:

Is it me or is the mid-Atlantic areas quiet this summer on upgrades. Only Blue Mountain and Manasutten have actively been posting on their social media pages. Snowshoe hasn't provide any updates on the new quad or snowmaking upgrades they announced or anything about the replacement for Shavers.

Yes 7 Springs an Hidden Valley replaced some equipment and piping.

Hopefully we will seen more announcements soon. 

 I have never understood the refusal of so many resorts to make any attempt to communicate with their customers. You would think with the amount of negative comments that some of them get online they would try to do some level of rumor  control or just let people know what’s going on. 

Blue Don 1982 - DCSki Supporter 
3 days ago
Member since 01/13/2008 🔗
1,557 posts

 I think Snowshoe is in a tough spot with that new lift. I read a post from a homeowners meeting that said that lift will not be ready until mid Dec. If that is the case, the basin area is going to be a nightmare for the early season.

 

padjaski68 wrote:

Snowshoe hasn't provide any updates on the new quad or snowmaking upgrades they announced or anything about the replacement for Shavers.

eggraid
3 days ago
Member since 02/9/2010 🔗
493 posts

They rely on snowmaking so much in the early season, I think they will be able to work around a lift they know will not be running, they usually only have 4 top-to bottom runs open in that time of year. If they can get it open before Christmas (late December) I think most skiers would be perfectly content.  

Blue Don 1982 wrote:

 I think Snowshoe is in a tough spot with that new lift. I read a post from a homeowners meeting that said that lift will not be ready until mid Dec. If that is the case, the basin area is going to be a nightmare for the early season.

 

padjaski68 wrote:

Snowshoe hasn't provide any updates on the new quad or snowmaking upgrades they announced or anything about the replacement for Shavers.

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