Got a tweet from WTG linking to a Press Release. The important part for skiers:

"Wintergreen Resort to Undergo $12 Million in Improvements
WINTERGREEN, Va. (Sept. 5, 2012) - Nearly $12 million will be invested in facilities and infrastructure improvements at Wintergreen Resort over the next 16 months by the James C. Justice Companies, highlighted by an immediate $6 million infusion, in cooperation with the Nelson County Service Authority, to build a five-million gallon raw water storage tank and pumping station that will double the resort's snowmaking capacity for the upcoming ski season, as well as provide a redundant water supply to the water treatment plant.

There is more to it with an implication of changes in Season Pass/Membership choices. You can go to the web site if you are interested.

Justice seems to be the same company that manages The Greenbrier.

Justice not only owns The Greenbrier, it also owns The Resort at Glade Springs. Glade Springs is near Winterplace and does ski packages.

The golf course at Devil's Knob is going to be privatized by 2014. Is that the one use for the Ski&Golf late season promotions? [edit: this is the mountain course. Ski&Golf is on the valley course that will stay public.]

I wonder if they will consider adding lights to the Highlands?

Wintergreen season passes go on sale Oct. 1. Just noticed they have discount agreements with a collection of places in PA, New England, and Crested Butte.

OMG I haven't been to the Butte in 20 years.

James Justice Companies has a lot of money because of with coal mining and other businesses. Been branching out lately. Lots of articles from May 2012 related to the Wintergreen purchase.

Justice bought Greenbrier in 2009 when it was facing bankruptcy. Planning to turn it into a "$250 million medical facility at The Greenbrier featuring a sports medicine and rehabilitation center, a cosmetic surgery center with a "lifestyle enhancement academy'' and a boutique hotel with 20 VIP suites" according to an article in the Charleston Gazette. Charlottesville, Richmond, and DC are the target markets.

http://wvgazette.com/News/201205310019?page=2

Greenbrier is the core for future development of the Justice recreational empire in WV/VA. The idea is to run shuttles to Snowshoe and Wintergreen. Not just for skiing. Although having a reason for people to stay at Greenbrier in the winter is another factor that led to the purchase. Shuttles could also be for golf. Makes more sense now that the Wintergreen mountain course will become private.

From
http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x1561292351/Justice-acquires-new-resort:
"It's two hours exactly from The Greenbrier," said Justice. "The plans are to run shuttles back and forth (to Wintergreen) from The Greenbrier as well as to Snowshoe - both trips are about the same (distance). The advantage with Wintergreen is that its two hours are on mostly interstate. It makes for a little more pleasant ride."

Had fun researching the company. Certainly hoping things go well for Wintergreen.

Cool..thanks for the info marz. Now that I am living in Indiana I could see shacking up at the Greenbrier and alternating ski days between WTG and Snowshoe. Maybe not the best option but it would be fun to try.

On the lights in the Highlands. I have my doubts about that. Even on the best days the Highlands...especially Devils Elbow tends to start icing up pretty bad around 3. Given the narrowness and high speed turns on the cross trails, the crook in Devils Elbow and that last pitch on lower cliff I think there could be a lot of accidents.

I'd like to ski with you again. Stay in touch...little harder now with the distance but you never know. We bought a skimoble (Van) so we could take it on the road this winter.

Details from the Wintergreen Director of Mountain Operations.

http://wintergreenva.blogspot.com/2012/09/massive-snowmaking-improvements.html

Found out about this blog post from the Wintergreen FB Page. Will be interesting to see if they improve the communication there. Last year the contrast between lack of communication by Wintergreen about current conditions versus daily communication by Mnut was noticeable.

Aaah . . . that's where you are. Not exactly driving distance to the Rockies but you are a bit closer.