Windham Mountain to Install High Speed 6-Passenger Lift & Implement RFID Ticketing for 2018-9 Season

Windham Mountain in New York’s Catskill Mountains, will have a new high speed six- passenger lift as well as RFID ticketing for the 2018-19 season.

A new, high speed, detachable six passenger chairlift will be installed at Windham Mountain Resort, in New York’s Catskills, this summer. The new Doppelmayr lift will run from the base area to the summit, replacing the current Whistler Triple, better known as “F Lift”.  It will have a slope length of 5,105 feet, and an uphill capacity of 3,000 people per hour. The ride from base to summit on the new lift will be just under five and a half minutes.

Removal of “F Lift” will begin in April and installation of the new lift in May.  Whirlwind Express (A Lift), the high speed, detachable quad that runs alongside “F Lift”, will remain in place and will run this summer, servicing the Windham Mountain Bike Park and skyrides.  The Bike Park opens for the season Memorial Day Weekend and will be unaffected by the construction.

The new lift will be accompanied by state-of-the art lift access, with the addition of RFID ticketing and gates for the 2018/2019 season.  The “Axess” radio-frequency identification technology will eliminate the need for guests to present their lift ticket or season pass to a lift attendant prior to loading all base area lifts.  RFID Cards can be reloaded via a home computer or smartphone, and can be used season after season.

“RFID ticketing is essentially ‘EZ-Pass for skiers’.  It will provide easier access to lifts and more accurate scanning of tickets and passes, helping skiers and riders get on the mountain faster, skipping the ticket windows and lift line scanning process.” said Chip Seamans, General Manager of Windham Mountain Resort.

All guests will now have the option to sign up for Resort Charge, by attaching a credit card account to their RFID card. This eliminates the need to carry cash or a credit card on the mountain. Resort Charge is accepted at all Windham Mountain Resort operated restaurants, eateries and retail locations.

The new chairlift and RFID system represent $6.5M in capital already invested toward the 2018/2019 Winter Season at Windham Mountain Resort.  More details on installation progress and a name for the new lift will follow.

Guests are invited to become a 2018/2019 Season Passholder at the annual Season Passholder Party on Saturday, March 17th, when the best rates on passes will be offered for one day only.  Passholders will enjoy a complimentary buffet and live music at the party.

Windham Mountain Resort is a year-round destination in the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County, NY, about two and a half hours north of New York City.  With 285 skiable acres, Windham offers 54 trails serviced by 12 lifts.  The Resort includes six terrain parks, learn-to packages, ski and stay packages, dining options, an Adventure Park, the full-service Alpine Spa, night skiing, and much more.  In the summer months, Windham Mountain Bike Park is famous for its World Cup course, but also features a three-mile-long beginner trail.  Windham Mountain Country Club is an 18-hole public golf course with a private club atmosphere.  

Windham Mountain Resort, 19 Resort Drive, Windham NY, 12496, 800-754-9463, info@windhammountain.com, www.windhammountain.com.

 

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Park City’s Grand Summit Hotel to Undergo $15 Million Renovation and Join RockResorts

A view of Park City’s Canyons Village in spring. Vail Resorts, which owns Park City resort plans a $15 million renovation of the Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Village and to flag it as a RockResorts property © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Village in Vail Resorts’ Park City mountain resort in Utah, will undergo an extensive $15 million renovation this spring and subsequent flagging as a RockResorts property. The renovations will bring the hotel up to par with both its unrivaled location at the base of the largest ski resort in the United States and the modern luxury its guests expect in a travel experience. The property will temporarily close from April 17, 2017 – in conjunction with the close of Park City Mountain’s ski and snowboard season – through mid-summer.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the interior of the Grand Summit Hotel up to the same caliber as the world-class resort that’s just steps away from the property,” said Jim Dullanty, president of the Grand Summit Homeowner’s Association. “This transformation will undoubtedly elevate the experience for all of Grand Summit Hotel’s guests as well as the unit owners themselves.”

The renovation will include a complete overhaul of all 212 suites, including new interior finishes, furnishings, soft goods, appliances, artwork and technology. The property’s communal spaces will also be incorporated into the renovation, including the lobby and front desk, full remodel of the on-site spa, café and general store, and refresh of the conference and meeting spaces.

The interior design work will be conducted by Boulder, Colo.-based TRH Interior Design, which has also designed and transformed other Vail Resorts properties such as Crystal Peak Lodge in Breckenridge, Colo., as well as other luxury mountain properties such as the Westin Snowmass Resort and the Lumiere Hotel in Telluride.

Following the extensive renovation, the Grand Summit Hotel will be flagged as a RockResort.

RockResorts, a division of Vail Resorts, owns and operates a collection of premium properties, lavish RockResorts Spas and distinctive dining options in iconic mountain locations.

“We are thrilled to add Grand Summit to the RockResorts collection,” said Ron Neville, Vail Resorts’ vice president of hospitality. “The RockResorts brand represents the hallmark of casually elegant properties with exceptional service in our mountain resort locations. We’re looking forward to continuing to deliver extraordinary service and experiences to our guests at the Grand Summit.”

The Grand Summit Hotel sits majestically in the heart of Canyons Village at Park City. Its 212 lock-off suites provide guests with more than 290 lodging options, including hotel rooms, studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites and expansive luxury penthouses. Many rooms have balconies, fireplaces, double showers and full kitchens with service for eight guests. The Grand Summit’s heated outdoor swimming pool is an ideal place to relax after an adventurous day of exploring the outdoors year round. More information about Grand Summit Hotel can be found here.

RockResorts, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vail Resorts, owns and operates luxury resorts that offer casually elegant accommodations, lavish RockResorts Spas, renowned golf courses, award-winning dining and a variety of exciting outdoor adventures. The RockResorts collection includes The Arrabelle at Vail Square and The Lodge at Vail in Vail, Colo.; The Osprey at Beaver Creek and The Pines Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colo.; and One Ski Hill Place in Breckenridge, Colo.

Vail Resorts, Inc subsidiaries operate 10 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Perisher in Australia; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; Afton Alps in Minnesota, Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. The Company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
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Vail Resorts to Acquire Stowe Mountain Resort Vermont, Add to Epic Pass

Vail Resorts is moving to complete the acquisition of Stowe Mountain Resort, Vermont, which would be the company’s first resort on the East Coast, and would give East Coast skiers more of a reason to buy the Epic Pass.

Vail Resorts, Inc. in February entered an agreement to acquire Stowe Mountain Resort from Mt. Mansfield Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), for a purchase price of $50 million, subject to certain adjustments. Stowe Mountain Resort will be Vail Resorts’ first mountain resort on the East Coast and complements the Company’s network of 10 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas.

This acquisition brings together Vail Resorts, a leading mountain resort operator, with AIG Global Real Estate (AIGGRE), a major real estate developer, which share a common vision for the long-term success of Stowe Mountain Resort as a premier, high-end resort for skiers and snowboarders on the East Coast. Vail Resorts is acquiring all of the assets related to the mountain operations of the resort, including base area skier services (food and beverage, retail and rental, lift ticket offices and ski and snowboard school facilities) at Mount Mansfield and Spruce Peak. Other facilities such as the Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe Mountain Club, Stowe Country Club and certain real estate owned and held for potential future development will be retained by MMC.

“We’re thrilled to add Stowe Mountain Resort to our family of world-class mountain resorts. With the investments in both mountain infrastructure and base area facilities that AIG has made over the years, Stowe Mountain Resort has become the premier, high-end resort for East Coast skiers and snowboarders. We look forward to working with AIG to continue enhancing the guest experience and to ensure the resort’s long-term success,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts.

Douglas Tymins, president and chief executive officer of AIG Global Real Estate, said, “Under Vail Resorts’ management, Stowe’s reputation as a premier ski destination with a commitment to excellent service will continue to grow. AIGGRE is looking forward to combining Vail Resorts’ tremendous mountain operations capabilities with our continued commitment to the development of the Spruce Peak community.”

Stowe Mountain Resort in Stowe, Vt., has undergone major capital and facilities improvements including the Spruce Peak Adventure Center, the new Meadows Quad on Spruce Peak, Evolution Stowe’s RFID tickets, passes and gates and the new Shops at Spruce Peak. Spruce Peak also has new high-speed lifts, new base facilities and gourmet restaurants. MMC will retain ownership of the renowned Stowe Mountain Lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort, a 312-room hotel and spa that has already been recognized as one of the greenest and most luxurious mountainside hotels in the world, and additional slopeside real estate opportunities.

This transaction is subject to Vermont administrative review. At closing, the purchase price will be adjusted for certain agreed upon terms, including a reduction (or increase) in the price by the amount that the resort’s EBITDA exceeds capital expenditures for the period from Nov. 1, 2016, through closing. Stowe Mountain Resort is expected to generate incremental annual EBITDA in excess of $5 million in Vail Resorts’ fiscal year ending July 31, 2018.

Vail Resorts plans to integrate Stowe Mountain Resort into its Epic Pass and other season pass products for the 2017-18 winter season, subject to the acquisition closing. With the Epic Pass, Vermont skiers and snowboarders will have unlimited access locally at Stowe at an attractive price as well as the best of the West at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Tahoe; and Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada.

See: Vail Resorts Plans to Add Stowe Vermont to 2017-18 Epic Pass Giving Northeastern Skiers New Reason to Buy

Vail Resorts, Inc subsidiaries operate 10 world-class mountain resorts and three urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Perisher in Australia; Whistler Blackcomb in Canada; Afton Alps in Minnesota, Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin. The Company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com.
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Vail Resorts to Launch On-Mountain Epic Discovery Summer Adventures

Vail Resorts is set to introduce on-mountain Epic Discovery adventures this summer at Vail Mountain in Colorado and Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe.

VAIL, Colo. – Want to soar like an eagle? Travel through the forest canopy like a squirrel? Find out if you’re as strong as a bear? See the world through the eyes of a trout? This summer, Vail Resorts is introducing Epic Discovery at Vail Mountain in Colorado and Heavenly Mountain Resort at Lake Tahoe. Epic Discovery provides an on-mountain summer experience, immersing guests in activities which provide big-time thrills, allow them to challenge themselves physically, guide them to explore and better understand their natural surroundings, and ultimately create lifelong memories.

“Epic Discovery will provide an avenue for our summer guests to experience our alpine settings in a new, immersed way, similar to what our ski and snowboard guests experience in the winter,” said Chris Jarnot, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Vail Mountain. “Vail Resorts, along with our partners at the U.S. Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy, envisions Epic Discovery as a catalyst for helping to foster a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors among a diverse audience of summer visitors to the mountains.””

This new comprehensive on-mountain summer adventure will feature components such as zip lines, canopy tours, alpine coasters, wildlife trail exploration, and interactive, “learn-through-play”  activities, which will debut at Vail and Heavenly in June and at Breckenridge in 2017.

“Epic Discovery offers families the opportunity to learn through play together in the national forest,”” Jarnot continued. “For kids, it will be the ultimate playground in an alpine setting.””

Vail Mountain’s Epic Discovery proposal received final approval from the U.S. Forest Service in October 2014, and the resort began construction the following summer. Vail’s existing Adventure Ridge has already undergone enhancements with the addition of two rope challenge courses, summer tubing, a four-line Zip Flyer, as well as a kids’ challenge course and kids’  zip line.

In June, Vail Mountain, located on the White River National Forest, will debut these Epic Discovery experiences:

• Game Creek Canopy Tour: The ultimate outdoor experience, this guided tour will immerse guests in the forest habitat with an array of zip lines and aerial bridges as high as 300 feet above the valley floor. Guests will learn about the mountain environment from interpretive guides while working their way through the course.
• Forest Flyer: This gravity-based alpine coaster allows guests on individual sleds to descend on a raised track through the forest while giving riders full control of their speed.
• Expanded Trail System: A wildlife exploration trail, featuring mountain flora and fauna and a series of installations that each resembles a different animal ability, such as vision, stride, agility and strength. Vail has partnered with The Nature Conservancy, the USFS and Walking Mountains Science Center to bring interpretive elements to the Epic Discovery experiences and will be contributing one percent of all summer lift ticket and activity revenue to The Nature Conservancy for forest restoration projects.

Heavenly’s Epic Discovery project, which received final approval on May 14, 2015, has already seen the implementation of several new on-mountain adventures, including a permanent rock climbing wall and kids ropes course and zip line, all located at Adventure Peak at the top of the Heavenly Gondola.

Opening in June, Heavenly’s Epic Discovery will feature:

• Canopy Tour: Set amongst the pines surrounding the mid-station observation deck of Heavenly’s Gondola, this guided tour will immerse guests in the forest habitat with an array of zip lines and aerial bridges featuring an unfiltered view of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains.
• Alpine Coaster: This gravity-based alpine coaster allows guests on individual sleds to descend on a raised track through the forest and natural rock formations, with incredible scenic views of Lake Tahoe. Located near the existing summer tubing hill, the alpine coaster will utilize gravity for the descent while giving riders full control of their speed.
• Guided 4×4 Mountain Tours: Guests will enjoy Heavenly’s stunning view from the cab of an off-roading SUV. These 4×4 tours offer the best of an alpine summer with views of Lake Tahoe, the Carson Valley and Desolation Wilderness.
• Interpretive Learning: Heavenly’s project integrates a robust interpretive learning component with curriculum created in collaboration with the Forest Service, the League to Save Lake Tahoe and The Nature Conservancy.

Breckenridge Ski Resort’s Epic Discovery proposal to the USFS received its final record of decision on Nov. 16, 2015, and includes adventure hiking zones, plus additional activities including zip lines, canopy tours and ropes courses, all with extensive environmental and interpretive programming. Construction is expected to begin during summer 2016 and will include the following primary activities and enhancements:

Full details on all the Epic Discovery activities at Vail and Heavenly, as well as online ticket purchasing will be available soon online at www.vail.com or www.skiheavenly.com.

Epic Discovery: A Summer Mountain Adventure

Summer in the mountains is taking on a whole new feel thanks to legislation passed in 2011, the Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act, and Vail Resorts is the first in the ski industry to submit and implement a comprehensive new summer activities plan to the U.S. Forest Service. Vail Resorts’ Epic Discovery program encourages “learn through play,” promoting environmental education and forest stewardship with numerous fun experiential activities across three different mountain resorts, Vail Mountain, Breckenridge and Heavenly. The Epic Discovery experience will incorporate extensive environmental and interpretive programming that offers guests a unique opportunity to try new outdoor activities, challenge themselves physically, discover an appreciation for nature and create lasting family memories. Each of these new activities will capitalize on the existing summer visitation at each resort and leverage existing infrastructure, creating the opportunity for high-impact and high-return projects. Through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, a leading conservation non-profit organization, Epic Discovery will complement the eco-discovery experiences across the mountain with scientific content. Subsequently, Vail Resorts will utilize its new “1% For The Forest” program as a means to contribute one percent of all summer lift ticket and activity revenue to The Nature Conservancy for forest restoration projects on national forest lands.

To learn more about Epic Discovery, visit www.epicdiscovery.com.

Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is a leading global mountain resort operator, operating nine world-class mountain resorts and two urban ski areas, including Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Perisher in Australia; Afton Alps in Minnesota, Mt. Brighton in Michigan and Wilmot Mountain in Wisconsin The Company owns and/or manages a collection of casually elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning and development subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Visit www.snow.com.

 

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Stowe Mountain Lodge, A Destination Hotel, Launches Snow Days-Ski & Stay Offer for Winter Season

Stowe, VT. — Stowe Mountain Lodge, A Destination Hotel, is pleased to offer new and exciting outdoor adventures along with the launch of their special Snow Days offer to kick off the winter season.

The Snow Days offer at Stowe Mountain Lodge is available through April, 16 2016 from $176 per person, per day, based on double occupancy with lift tickets.

With the highly anticipated Spruce Peak Village Center to open this winter season, which includes a new outdoor ice rink that will double as a community plaza and green in the summer, a new state-of-the-art children’s Adventure Center with ski / ride school, year-round daycare facilities, climbing gym, movie theater and a children’s activities center, it’s the ideal season to visit Stowe.

A new Stowe Mountain Club Alpine Clubhouse will also be delivered as a part of the expansion, along with new retail shops, restaurants, food markets and a parking garage for Club members, to further enhance the Spruce Peak Plaza and base area.

“This is the inaugural season to enjoy all the new amenities that Stowe Mountain Lodge and Stowe Mountain Resort will offer,” says Stowe Mountain Lodge Director of Sales and Marketing, Mike Broderick. “With couples, families and groups seeking more options for their mountain vacations, we continue to develop offerings that appeal to a wide variety of guests. Our Snow Days package only elevates the experiential, midweek, crowd-less experience that we are known for during winter.”

Watch the Snow Days video HERE to experience what Stowe Mountain Lodge offers.

Stowe Mountain Lodge is the centerpiece of Spruce Peak at Stowe, a $400 million alpine village in planning and development stages for the past 16 years.  As part of this new community, guests of Stowe Mountain Lodge will enjoy world-class service, 312 guest rooms, a 21,000-square-foot spa and wellness center, ski-in/ski-out access to over 100 legendary trails, exclusive access to Stowe Mountain Club, an 18-hole mountain golf course designed by Bob Cupp, and a heated outdoor pool. Stowe Mountain Resort offers over 56,000 square feet of event space, as well as high-end boutiques, restaurants and limitless on-mountain recreational options.  The lodge offers farm-to-table cuisine in Solstice restaurant and Hourglass bar.  In addition, 34 fractionally-owned condominium units are available for vacation home ownership in the Lodge’s Front Four Private Residence Club.  Rooms reservations, with special lodging offers and packages, are available by calling (802) 253-3560 or (888) 4-STOWE-VT, or by visiting www.stowemountainlodge.com. For real estate inquiries, call (888) 403-7739 or (802) 253-0320. 

Destination Hotels (Destination) is a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the United States. Offering authentically-immersed and enriching experiences, each property is individual at heart, yet connected by a commitment to drawing upon the best of each location. Highly distinct, the Destination experience is always memorable and matchless; guests will feel the locale in a genuine way through each property and during the engaging moments cultivated both in and outside of them. Continuously growing with more than 40 properties from coast to coast, the award-winning portfolio features 20 renowned golf courses, 19 indigenous spas, and 110 exceptional bars and restaurants. Destination Hotels are true to our place; diverse by design. For more information, visit www.destinationhotels.com. Follow on Twitter: @Destination. Like  on Facebook: DestinationHotels 

Stowe is an internationally renowned four-season destination. Stowe Mountain Resort, with majestic Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak, is filled with activities for every season: golf, tennis, hiking, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, world-class dining, shopping, spas and more. Stowe’s historic village combined with Vermont’s most spectacular landscape creates the quintessential New England getaway. For more information visit:  www.stowe.com or call: 1-800-253-4754.

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