As temperatures drop and the first snow falls, local ski resorts are putting the final touches on renovations for the 2006-2007 season.
The last three seasons have had a record number of skier days and resorts are investing the added capital back into the slopes, according to a release from SkiUtah.
Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, The Canyons Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort have all undertaken extensive improvements, expansions or both.
Snowbird will open the Peruvian Express Quad housed in North America's first ski area tunnel. The conveyor lift will take skiers and snowboarders from Peruvian Gulch to Mineral Basin, said Julia Partain, Snowbird's communications coordinator.
"It's an efficient way to reach Mineral Basin," Partain said. "It makes the intermediate terrain more accessible by eliminating some of the steepest routes and switch backs."
Ski area tunnels like Snowbird's are found throughout Europe's top resorts, Partain said.
It will also allow skiers to reach Hidden Peak without using trams. All-day tram passes cost $10 more than chair passes, according to Snowbird's Web site.
Snowbird is also renovating their main lodge. It is a $6 million venture, Partain said.
The Canyons Resort is adding 200 acres of terrain in the Dreamscape area by opening the new quad Dreamcatcher lift.
"Opening up 200 acres is an equivalent space to the Magic Kingdom or Disneyland," said Jim Powell, director of brand management for The Canyons Resort.
The area will have a few pre-determined runs, but it will begin as mostly tree-skiing that will allow for exploration, Powell said.
Also opening will be The Canyons' Pipe Dream, expert to advanced ski terrain that will have about 90 percent black diamond runs, Powell said.
The Canyons is also converting the Tombstone quad lift into a high speed, six-person chair that will keep congestion at bay, Powell said.
Park City Mountain Resort is adding the Silver Star chairlift that will provide locals and people already familiar with the resort to bypass any crowds and congestion at the base area, said Matt Riding, marketing coordinator for the resort.
| Tentative Utah Resort Opening Date for 2006-2007 Winter Season |
| * Alta: Nov. 16 | * Park City: Nov. 17 |
| * Beaver Mountain: TBA | * Snowbird: Nov. 18 |
| * Brian Head Resort: Nov. 17 | * Snowbasin: Nov. 23 |
| * Brighton: TBA | * Solitude: Nov. 17 |
| * The Canyons: Nov. 18 | * Sundance: Dec. 9 |
| * Deer Valley: Dec. 2 | * Powder Mountain: TBA |
| * Wolf Mountain: Nov. 24 |
Copyright Brigham Young University 24 Sep 2006
