Perisher Blue 2008 improvements
Tue 10 June 08
Park improvements
the resort has committed to pouring $10,000 into terrain park upgrades for the upcoming 2008 season.
The investment will deliver impressive new features including an S-box, table box, battleship box and an 8m round bar rail. There may also be a new 12m down flat down rail. New beginner features will also be added in the Columbia Fun Park on Mt Piper to provide ultimate progression for emerging freeriders.
According to Matt Klemm, Grooming Manager for Perisher Blue, “12m of the longest rail known as the Dragon’s Tail (a 12m dipper rail) may also make a comeback alongside the popular Ride Wall and the 40ft Rainbow Rail.” If this jargon sounds incomprehensible, these types of features can be viewed at www.fusionparks.com.au.
In total, there should be about 50 features across Perisher Blue’s four terrain parks, which Matt Klemm says, “is impressive even by overseas standards.”
Of course, the ability to set these features up as early as possible is dependent on favorable early season snowfalls. Luckily for freeriders, the resort’s $9.75M investment on snowmaking that includes new snowmaking next to the PSP Terrain Park on Front Valley should help with its construction in 2008.
Coupled with positive long-range weather predictions and the fact that the resort has already has three significant snowfalls this year, things are looking promising for Perisher Blue delivering Australia’s best terrain parks again in 2008.
Snowmaking
Extending on the $3.6M spent in 2007, snowmaking will be further expanded in the resort in 2008 with an additional $9.75M capital investment.
This will allow the introduction of a new water supply for Perisher Valley, an upgraded pump station and 34 new automated Techno Alpin snow guns (adding to the 154 existing snow guns).
“Our focus is on providing the very best products possible for visitors to Perisher Blue”, said Gary Grant GM Marketing, Sales and Hospitality Perisher Blue. “By continually seeking to improve and upgrade our snowmaking capacity and operations, we can deliver excellent snow riding for all standards, supplementing the great natural snowfalls we are known for.”
In total, 3.5 hectares of new snowmaking coverage (on top of the current 40 ha) will be included from Mid Station of the Forester Quad Express down to Front Valley covering Yabby Flat, Goats Gully and the Bullwheel run.
This snowmaking modernisation effort will be up to 9 times more energy efficient than existing systems and improve reliability and snow quality in these high traffic areas.
The next step in the plan is to extend snowmaking down to the base of the current Double and Triple chairs on Mt Perisher, then up the lift lines to the top, providing consistent coverage to this very popular snow riding area.
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:: Perisher Blue stories
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