The $4 million Boomerang chairlift is under construction and will open up brand new terrain at the mountain. “We believe it’s going to bring people back here who maybe got bored. It’s that extra adrenalin rush for skiers and snowboarders of advanced abilities,” they said. “We’ve just been getting awesome feedback.”
Also new this summer, the Hawk Chairlift has been set up to take mountain bikers into some new novice/ intermediate trails. The new bike loading equipment cost about $30,000.
And the Resort is has paved the road to Raven Lodge, to the tune of $500,000. “It was the number one complaint this year, was that road,” They said. “It’s just the conditions up here, with the moisture … we decided to bite the bullet and just pave it.”
Another $500,000 will go towards expanding night skiing by lighting up the Whiskey Jack chairlift. But first, they’ll light up the Coaster and the Terrain Park. “We’re really adding a whole new element for night skiing, with intermediate terrain,” they said.
Despite all the construction happening, they predict the Resort’s summer season will be “fabulous”. A nine-hole mini-golf course is being built near Mountain Tek at the base of the runs. Resort employees have taken care of the construction themselves, and have incorporated an alpine theme: snowboards, bike spokes, etc. “It’s not going to be a $100,000 course,” they said, but it will be fun. Golfers will get a mini-putter and ball to play to course, which will be open in mid-July. The disc golf course continues to be a popular option.
The mountain is continuing its festival trend this summer with the Beer Fest, Wine Fest and another Chocolate Fest. On Oct. 2 Fat Teddy’s will celebrate Oktoberfest with special dinner and entertainment.
The Resort will celebrate an “Alpine Oktoberfest” Oct. 1-10, with half-price scenic chairlift tickets.
A new business will focus on the alpine splendor at the resort. Photographer Bradford Stephenson has created the Alpine Institute of Photography, and will run several week-long photography camps.
Raven Lodge has been booked almost every weekend for weddings, too. Other ongoing activities at the mountain include the bungee trampoline, horse trail rides, ATV tours and mountain biking.