Resorts across the Green Mountain state focused on snowmaking and grooming over the off-season, with rental gear also high on the list of goodies.
There's more, but here are some of the highlights:
[R192R, Jay] leads the way with $13 million in base area construction, including new Nordic center-golf club house, indoor ice arena, and parking garage. These are all part of Jay's $120 million makeover that already has the Tram Haus lodge up and running with 57 luxury suites.
[R85R, Bromley] bought $675,000 worth of new things, including a Prinoth Bison winchcat, and 300 new sets of Head rental gear.
[R198R, Killington] focused on snowmaking upgrades with trunk line replacements, pump rebuilds, and energy efficiencies including new fan guns. Killington also regarded the Skyewalker-Bittersweet area to improve movement of skiers and riders, and to reduce congestion.
[R222R, Mad River] repainted its base lodge, or rather co-op members took on that project with the blessing of management.
[R225R, Magic] went through its entire snowmaking system with a summer's worth of tests and tinkering.
Middlebury College Snow Bowl widened Cameron Trail and added a glade between Cameron and Lang.
[R255R, Mount Snow] added fan guns to what already is one of the most impressive arsenals in the region.
[R304R, Okemo] built a Mountain Coaster, and added a third Prinoth BR500 Beast, largest of all snow grooming machines. The resort also dismantled its last remaining Pomalift, in the Galaxy Bowl Learning Area, and replaced it with a carpet lift.
[R395R, Smugglers Notch] has a new zipline canopy tour, first of its kind in Vermont.
[R429R, Stowe] will open the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center in December to host events and exhibitions by artists of all types.
[R430R, Stratton Mountain] School welcomes Olympic gold medalist Ross Powers as head of its snowboarding programs.
[R435R, Sugarbush] spent $10 million on its Lincoln Peak Village, and on upgrades to snowmaking.
