You might see white when the snow starts flying, but ski areas see green.
“Last winter’s epic ending to the ski season provided the necessary capital for ski areas to implement many improvements during this summer’s construction season,” said Scott Kaden of the Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association in a prepared statement.
A year after two ski areas, White Pass and the Summit at Snoqualmie, expanded their terrain and another, Crystal Mountain, installed a gondola, Northwest ski areas are still fighting back against the slumping economy and spending millions on upgrades.
Here’s a look at 10 noteworthy improvements around the Northwest this season:
1. New Lodges
Mount Baker Ski Area spent $3.5 million to build a new midmountain warming hut called the Raven Hut Lodge. The two-story lodge’s design was inspired by 1920s Cascadia architecture and can only be reached on skis or snowboard. Replacing the Raven Hot Café, the lodge has room for 300 people and will offer full food service, restrooms and two fireplaces.
In Oregon, Historic Timberline Lodge is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year with a $1.5 million upgrade to the Wy’east Day Lodge. The changes include a new mezzanine that can seat 140 people.
In Idaho, Brundage Mountain near McCall celebrates its 50th anniversary with a remodeled lodge. The upgrades add 100 more seats and a larger kitchen. Also, Lookout Pass added a new 80-seat east wing to its lodge.
2. Mount Hood’s Stadium Expresss
The new Stadium Express four-seat lift at Mount Hood Meadows will increase the number of skiers that can be transported to the northern terrain. The ski area expects the new quad to shorten lift lines and improve night skiing operations. Mount Hood Meadows also added four snow cats to improve its grooming capabilities.
3. New Lift at Bogus
Bogus Basin claims it can now move twice as many people twice as fast with its new Superior Chairlift. The $5 million high-speed quad services some of the most popular and challenging skiing terrain at the Boise ski area.
4. Schweitzer’s Zip Line
Schweitzer Mountain Resort in Northern Idaho built side-by-side 700-foot zip lines for summer and winter use. Take flight for $12 or $20 for two trips. Participants must weigh less than 240 pounds and more than 60 pounds.
5. Crystal’s Test Center
Crystal Mountain is opening its mountaintop RDL Test Center this season. RDL stands for Rossignol, Dynastar and Lange, the companies whose gear will be featured in the center. Try the latest equipment for one run or all day and swap gear as often as you like. Prices are $60 for skis boots and poles or snowboard, bindings and boots; $48 for skis only, or snowboards and bindings only; or $30 for boots only.
6. New Lift at Whitefish
Whitefish Mountain Resort at Big Mountain in Montana has a new way up the mountain with the installation of the Bad Rock triple chairlift. But perhaps even more important for adult skiers, the resort also plans to open a new a bar on the third floor of the base lodge.
7. Sun Valley Expands
Sun Valley Resort adds 30 acres of gladed terrain and themed runs for kids. Dollar Mountain is adding 20 new rails and a halfpipe to its terrain park.
8. Summit Upgrades
The Summit at Snoqualmie made several changes for this season including the installation of a 210-foot moving carpet for beginners at Summit West. The Hog Wild Trail serviced by the Silver Fir Express at Summit Central was regraded. A new Snow Cat and winch system will enable the ski area to groom more of the Silver Fir terrain. Across Interstate 90 at Alpental, a new ski patrol station, which will be open to the public, has been added near the top of Armstrong Express.
9. New Trails at Silver
Silver Mountain Resort above Kellogg, Idaho, is unveiling Gold Pan Alley, a new children’s trail, this season. The Northwest’s only ski area with an indoor water park also expanded the gladed terrain in the basin serviced by Chair 3.
10. More Tree Skiing at 49
Summer grooming has nearly doubled the amount of tree skiing at Eastern Washington’s 49 Degrees North. “We took our legendary tree skiing and made it even better,” said Brad Northrup, the resort’s marketing director. Next season the state’s second largest ski area plans to unveil a new lift to service Angel Peak. Northrup says a new midmountain lodge could also open in a year or two.
Craig Hill: 253-597-8497 Craig.hill@thenewstribune.com
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