Hunter Mountain Announces Snowmaking Automation for 2024/25 Season
"Hunter Mountain announced a new plan to upgrade snowmaking on three of the resort’s classic and beloved trails, Belt Parkway, Clair’s Way, and Way Out for the 2024/25 season. The plan will add state-of-the-art automated snowmaking systems on our trails, accelerating our ability to open terrain earlier in the season and creating a larger footprint for the holiday season.
Similarly, the new snowmaking systems will provide greater efficiency to rebuild snow base later in the season, particularly during periods of volatile weather. The resort will replace older, less energy-efficient snowmaking technology with new low-energy snowguns, an initiative in line with parent company Vail Resorts’ sustainable investments. “By investing in cutting-edge, energy-efficient technology, we're not only meeting the demands of our dynamic weather but also setting a new standard for sustainability in the industry,” said VP/GM Trent Poole.
Specifically, the upgrade will result in Belt Parkway converting 70 existing guns to automated models, allowing the resort to add 38 skiable acres to the mix early in the season during the holidays. Clair's Way will get a facelift from automated low energy technology, replacing 36 high air consumption guns, aiding in dispersing skier traffic and adding an extra 10 acres to the holiday footprint. Way Out will get 32 new automated guns installed so the resort can connect Hunter North and Hunter West more directly and earlier in the season; the snowmaking upgrade to Way Out will also contribute to the holiday footprint, creating a seamless skiing and snowboarding experience. The increased terrain capacity will also allow advanced skiers to seek out terrain away from trails suited for intermediate skiers and riders and those new to the sport.
This summer, Hunter Mountain invested in their snowmaking automation line up with several new automated SMI fan guns added in strategic locations across the mountain including black-diamond Bleecker Street and fan favorite double-black-diamond Racer’s Edge. The team also added 7 new HKD guns and installed a refurbished pump at Dolan’s pump house allowing the Snowmaking Capital of the World the power it needs to start pumping water up the mountain this winter.
The snowmaking upgrades follow the Epic Lift Upgrade approved for 2024/25, in which the 4-person fixed-grip Broadway lift will be replaced with a new 6-person high-speed lift. Additionally, we will relocate the existing Broadway lift to replace the 2-person fixed-grip E lift. These upgrades will provide a meaningful increase in uphill capacity and improved access to terrain that is key to the progressive learning experience for our guests.
The company’s Epic Lift Upgrade initiatives each year introduce new chairlifts, new lift-served terrain, and exciting new guest experiences. The Epic Lift Upgrade capital improvement projects are designed to help guests make the most out of every minute on the mountain by reducing lift line wait times, and giving guests more time to learn new skills, explore new terrain, and discover new peaks."
