2008/9 Changes at Stratton
Thu 18 September 08
2 new trails, new Natural terrain park run in the Emerald Forest glade, the terrain parks & pipes are being moved around a bit, new groomers and a few other enhancements
NEW TRAILS
Two new (yet to be named) intermediate trails in the Sunbowl area of the mountain, located off skiers right off of Sunriser Supertrail. The trails will be treated as glades this season with no snowmaking.
GLADES
The largest off season glade project has been the creation of natural terrain features (ie: jumps, rails, banks, rollers etc) in the Emerald Forest glade. This process, originally used in the Test Pilot glade, utilizes logs, felled trees, rocks and other naturally occurring obstacles to create organic counterparts to features normally found in terrain parks. Stratton’s longest and most innovative glade, Test Pilot, is also receiving some attention this off season as some of the more densely treed areas are being thinned out to create better lines and more space to rip. All of the harvested timber will then be used to create features within the glade.
A NEW WAY DOWN
Easy Street will be a newly launched, three mile long, family friendly trail that starts at the summit and winds down to the base through Mike’s Way, West Meadow, Drifter Link and Old Log Road. Mountain Patrol will be stationed along the route as a reminder that this trail is designed for an easy-does-it style of skiing and riding. The route delivers big time views of the surrounding area and will cater to families, beginners and everyone looking to take it easy.
RETOOLED AND REVAMPED PARKS AND PIPES:
Suntanner trail will no longer host a terrain park but will instead have a Boarder-X course on its lower reaches
Tyrolienne will be the beginner/ intermediate park and will play host to a Saturday night, under the lights, series of events
East Byrneside and Old Smoothie will be the intermediate/advanced parks and will be updated with newer features for 08’/09’.
An 18 foot Superpipe will be built on Sunriser Supertrail (in the Sunbowl area) by MLK day or before if conditions permit.
Betwixt/Beeline will be a rail/jib park with multiple lines designed for all abilities of park riders.
Equipment
NEW AND IMPROVED MACHINES: The grooming fleet is enhanced with a new Prinoth Sherpa Winch Cat (for grooming steep pitches) and a Prinoth BR350 terrain park cat with more horsepower and range of motion for better functionality when creating terrain park features.
BETTER EFFICIENCY AND LOWER ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Stratton is investing half a million dollars in snowmaking energy efficiency programs including…
40 new low E tower guns which increase snow particle size leaving flakes less susceptible to wind, reducing air consumption and saving energy dollars, increases snow output, and reduces small snow particle fog.
The installation of a more efficient VFD pump which provides up to 30% energy savings with an Efficiency VT rebate attached to it.
A New 1700 cfm air compressor which creates 20 – 30% more energy efficient and better overall output.
[From press release]
Related news
New boxes arrive at Panorama, BC
For the Showoff Terrain Park Designer, Eric Lange, Christmas came early last week, as he eagerly watched over 200 feet of brand new boxes roll into Panorama Mountain Village -6Nov08
Prali terrain park breaks new ground
The small and currently pretty unheard of resort Prali in Italy have been busy with the JCB's forming the new terrain park and they've also put in an order for rails. Not only that but they've only gone and created 2 new pistes as well. -6Nov08
Changes at Zermatt
New snowmaking system with can produce snow at high temperatures, the much needed Glacier restaurant should be open at the top of the Matterhorn glacier paradise but best of all the new Stockhorn t-bar will open up some cool freeriding terrain -7Oct08
Val Thorens to improve parks for 2008/9
An much enlarged terrain park, addition of another drag lift to service it, and a new boardercross are the major changes this season -30Sep08
Vallnord area in Andorra spends huge for 2008/9
new 6-seater detachable chairlift in Arinsal, a remodelled terrain park and the obligatory snowmaking improvements make up a 10million euro spend this season -30Sep08
Related categories
:: Stratton stories
:: Resort improvements stories
