What is happening in the North American Ski Industry

By Patrick Thorne, AKA "The Snow Hunter" Reprinted from the NSCN

Colorado
Steamboat Ski Resort (CO) is installing a $1.3 million fixed-grip triple chairlift to replace the Burgess Creek double chair. The new Burgess Creek Triple will increase uphill capacity by 6496, reducing pressure on the Elkhead lift. As part of its long-standing commitment to the environment, Steamboat will utilize wind power to nm thc new Burgess Creek lift.

Breckenridge (CO) plans to install a new chair lift from the top of Peak 6 which will reach 140 feet higher than the world's current highest chairlift, now located at Loveland. The only higher mechanized lifts would still be a cable car (tram) in Merida, Venezuela; a gondola in China and
the Pike's Peak funicular railway -- also in Colorado. According to Summit Daily News the resort is asking for Forest Service permission to install the lift with the aim of having it perational for winter 2005-06. Apollo Ski Partners is ending its reign as controlling partner in Vail Resorts by converting its Class A shares to common shares and distributing them to its limited partners. Apollo currently holds 17.8 percent of Vail's shares and almost 100 percent
of the Class A stock which gives it the right to elect two-thirds of Vail's directors.

Buttermilk (CO) is installing a new high-speed quad chairlift to replace the existing West Buttermilk chair (the second oldest lift on the four ski arecas).

Aspen Mountain (CO) has replaced the oldest lift in Aspen's four ski areas, (the F.I.S. lift or chair #6), with a new double chair.

The Adaptive Sports Association of Durango, Colorado, is offering a scholarship ski program for handicapped skiers. With a goal to enhance the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries, amputations. Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, or similar disabilities involving mobility impairments, recipients will receive an all expenses paid trip to Durango to learn to ski. The scholarship includes round-trip air, five-nights lodging in Durango-area host homes, most meals, accessible ground transportation. four days of adaptive ski instruction, lift tickets, equipment, and private instructors. See www.asadurango.org or, for more information, or contact them at 970-259-0374 or asa@frontier.net.

Washington
Mt. Hood Meadows Development Corporation, which runs Government Camp and Cooper Spur on Mount Hood, is proposing a new 11,000-acre ski area, Mount Adam Resort, that would feature ten lifts and offer a vertical from 5,400 to 1 1,100 feet - the highest in North America. The development would include a casino, spa, and three golf courses on land owned
by the Yakama Indian Nation who are currently considering the deal.

New Mexico
Angel Fire Resort (NM) has invested half a million dollars to expand their freestyle terrain parks for skiers and snowboarders and open a new three lane, 1,000-foot-long tubing hill, complete with night lights.

Utah
Brighton ski resort (UT) has replaced their classic 1955 Majestic double-chair lift with a Doppelmayr CTEC fixed-grip quad. The new lift is named after ~ t s predecessor and has been dubbed thc "Majestic quad." It's not the end of the road yet though for the 50-year-old double. The classic lift has been relocated thls summer to Big Sky Resort, Montana.

The town of Park City (UT) wants to let the world know how easy it is to reach their three resorts -- Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons, and Deer Valley. So if you catch a morning flight from almost anywhere in to Salt Lake City you can be on the slopes thc same afternoon. The Park City Quick START (Ski Today and Ride Today) package lets you prove this for
yourself, with a free lift ticket for the time you have in resol1 on your arrival day. To take advantage of the offer you convert your airline boarding pass into a same-day lift ticket to the Park City resort of your choice. You need to download a redemption voucher from the Park City website and fill that out before you turn up, and have a spare copy of your boarding pass at
the airport in case your airline asks to retain one. You will also need to show some form of photo identification. Publishing

The White Book of Ski Areas, U.S. and Canada is now accessible on-line at no fee. See www.whiitebooks.com for details.

Canada
Lake Louise Ski Area (AB) intends to replace the aging Friendly Giant lift with a gondola. The second-hand gondola was purchased from a Californian ski resort where it reportedly had low usage. Because the resort is located on park land, Parks Canada is now deciding whether the
gondola can be installed.