MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN NORTH AMERICAN SKI RESORTS
12th March 2020
Last modified on May 15th, 2021
Alterra Mountain Company has announced it will invest $223 million in capital improvements to its resorts for next winter.
They include expansion of ski terrain, additional snowmaking and renovations to accommodation.
The investment will include:
- $50 million for base area facility development
- $48 million towards new lifts and upgrades, expanded terrain, and state-of-the-art snowmaking
- $30 million in technology including Ikon Pass and destination app development and data utilisation,
- $27 million toward enhancing base area and on-mountain dining experiences
- $7 million towards various summer and winter activity investments.
“Three years ago, when we formed Alterra Mountain Company, an initial priority was to commit to investing a half a billion dollars by 2023 across our family of North American destinations,” said Rusty Gregory, CEO, Alterra Mountain Company.
“To date, we have invested more than $350 million and are committed to exceeding our original plan, spending $575 million by 2020 on lifts and gondolas, snowmaking, summer activities, real estate development, hospitality and technology, all in the name of creating memories for our guests through an elevated mountain experience.”
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MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2020-21
COLORADO
Steamboat
For the first time in more than 20 years, Steamboat will make an additional 355 acres of terrain accessible when the resort boundary extends into the Pioneer Ridge area, north of its current boundary.
Pioneer Ridge will feature advanced/expert gladed skiing with 1,800 vertical feet.
25 new chairs will be added to the line of Pony Express lift, increasing lift capacity from 1,200 people per hour to 1,800.
It all means a 12 percent increase in total skiable acres, making Steamboat the third largest resort in Colorado.
Winter Park
Winter Park begins year three of a 5-year project to enhance snowmaking in an effort to maximise early season opening and improve snow quality.
New infrastructure and snowmaking guns will improve water capacity and efficiency and allow more snowmaking possibilities in Winter Park and Mary Jane.
Winter Park’s marquee day lodge, the Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge, accessed by last year’s new gondola, will undergo a complete renovation, with a modernised servery, two new bars, an expanded deck with outdoor BBQ site, and increased seating capacity.
CALIFORNIA
Mammoth Mountain
Broadway Express (Chair 1) out of Main Lodge, one of the most used lifts in the Alterra Mountain Company family, will be replaced with a new high-speed 6-pack detachable chairlift, increasing uphill capacity by 42%, to 3,200 skiers and riders per hour.
Additionally, Canyon Express (Chair 16) out of Canyon Lodge, will also be replaced with a new high-speed 6-pack detachable chairlift, increasing uphill capacity by 66%, to 3,000 people per hour.
The $1.5 million Phase 2 snowmaking expansion and upgrade will also take place this summer.
The Mill, the destination’s popular slopeside BBQ and bar, will undergo a $500,000 expansion.
The Westin Monache hotel in the Village at Mammoth will redesign and renovate 208 guestrooms, and its lobby, bar and restaurant.
Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows
The Gold Coast Lodge at the top of the Gold Coast Funitel lift at Squaw Valley will see a major renovation.
The deck of the Chalet at Alpine Meadows will be expanded for more outdoor seating.
Both mountains will begin an extensive upgrade of snowmaking capabilities, boosting early season opening and snow quality in high traffic areas.
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Bear Mountain will begin the final phase of its base area improvements with a new pedestrian boardwalk connecting two skier service areas, complete with new food and beverage pop-up stations.
Snow Summit’s mountain top dining venue, Skyline Taphouse, will undergo a full renovation
UTAH
Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort is modernising its dining facilities.
Phase 1 begins with a complete renovation of the Snow Park base lodge, including new shops and eating experiences with a new offerings and a new indoor/outdoor après bar, slope-side coffee shop, and bistro.
CANADA
Tremblant, Quebec
This summer, Tremblant will begin a 2-year terrain expansion project.
It will open a new beginner zone with a magic carpet on Versant Soleil for 20/21.
For 21/22, the Timber summit will open with a new high-speed quad and 8 planned trails leading to Versant Soleil and the North Side.
The Alterra Mountain Company multi-destination season pass product, the Ikon Pass, is currently on sale for the 20/21 winter season, offering skiers and riders access to 41 global mountain destinations across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
