What's New at Midwest Ski Areas for 2008-09

 Last year, even small Midwest ski areas, like Swiss Valley Ski Area in Michigan taught thousands of people to ski or snowboard, and now they love winter just a little bit more. That's what we do -- provide close to home opportunities to have fun in the snow and enjoy the winter season. Before heading to a regional or national destination ski resort, kids and adults alike often participate in school field trips; after school lesson packages; race teams and leagues; night skiing and riding; and family fun at ski areas close to home. These activities are often the most memorable and fun parts of winter.

With over 80 member ski areas throughout the Midwest, the mission of the Midwest Ski Areas Association is to represent the interests of the membership by providing resources that enhance the quality of service and product provided to the public, and to foster, stimulate and promote safety, education and growth in the industry.

ILLINOIS

Chestnut Mountain Resort at Galena, IL (815) 777-1320 www.chestnutmtn.com has finished the final phase of its 3 year snowmaking expansion with the addition of 10 Super Pole Cat Snowmaking Machines and a 300 HP Vertical Turbine Pump. This first rate system consists of 70 strategically placed snowmaking machines & Five 300 HP Vertical Turbine Pumps that cover more than 60 acres of ski-able terrain. The power of this snowmaking system is unsurpassed and has the capability to pump 5,000 gallons of water per minute through each gun. This dazzling display of power gives Chestnut the ability to produce mountains of snow and open 100% of our runs in less than 48 hours of snowmaking.

Chestnut Mountain features new snowboards in their Learn-to-Ride Center.

Ski Snowstar, Quad Cities, IL (309) 798-2666 www.skisnowstar.com There is lots of activity this year at Ski Snowstar to make the ski area even more user friendly. A new deck for the rental area is near completion along with a rental check-in area.  There is a new teaching hill observation deck for parents to watch their little learners taking shape. There is additional snowmaking capacity with a new snowmaking pond and snowguns.

MICHIGAN

Alpine Valley in White Lake (248) 887-2180, www.skialpinevalley.com, made improvements to the area’s half-pipe and upgraded snowmaking.

Big Powderhorn of Bessemer in the Upper Peninsula (906) 932-4838, www.bigpowderhorn.net, remodeled its lodge. There is also a combined ticket with near-by Indianhead Mountain Resort  it is a combined interchangeable lift ticket called the Hill Hopper.  Discounted 1, 2, 3 and 4-day Hill Hoppers are available on the Big Snow Country website, www.bigsnow.com or at both of the resorts for a limited time.  Each ticket is completely interchangeable, meaning you can “hop” from one ski area to the other without having to buy a new ticket or stop at the ticket office.  The pre-season cost for a 1-day adult Hill Hopper ticket is $37, down from $50 regular price and a 3-day adult ticket is $111, down from the regular price of $129.

Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, 1-800-GO-BOYNE, www.boyne.com, is celebrating 60 years of winter fun throughout the 2008/09 season.  A big improvement at Boyne is replacement of the Meadows Chairlift with a higher speed, fixed grip, conveyor load lift.  This lift not only travels faster than the original, it’s easier to load thanks to a conveyor belt system, giving riders a seamless transition from snow to seat.  The new lift also extends further down the slope requiring less traversing from the south end of the mountain.  Boyne Mountain added additional Boyne Low E Fan Guns.  These snowmaking guns will make more snow as well as a higher quality snow with less moisture content, all this while using less energy.  In addition, Boyne built an all-new facility for the SnowSports Academy children’s programs, select junior rental equipment and Playcare at the base of Boyneland.  The ski area expanded glade skiing terrain north of Disciples and Superbowl trails.  Precision select-cutting over the last two years has created over seven acres of additional tree skiing/riding terrain.

Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs, 1-800-GO-BOYNE, www.boyne.com, added 91 additional snowmaking Boyne Low E Fan Guns.  The Highlands also added lighting to over two miles of cross country trails to light the way on Friday, Saturday and holiday nights.  Additional expansion of night skiing/riding terrain includes Kath’s Run and Leprechaun.  The Highlands’ four-lane skier/boardercross course will be open all season.  Boardercross, also called snowboard cross, is a timed race down a course filled with bumps and jumps built into the snow.

Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort, (231) 862-3000, www.caberfaepeaks.com, goes green with a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD), which allows the snowmaking pumps to consume up to 33% less energy during snowmaking, allowing for more efficient start-up, operation and shut-down. 

Caberfae Peaks added another groomer to its grooming fleet and widened the Smiling Irishmen ski run, by moving over 5,000 cubic yards of earth.  Two new jib terrain parks were created, featuring fun boxes, rails, jibs, (which are obstacles such as picnic tables, garbage cans, etc…) and other elements. 

In the rental department, Caberfae has a new demo center offering Volkl and Nordica ski equipment, and to promote safety, Caberfae Peaks now rents helmets. 

In the MacKenzie Lodge, guest now have Wi-Fi access.  Private lockers were installed off the lobby, for hotel guests to store skis, snowboards, boots & poles.

We are bringing back last year's season pass pricing (prices as low as $99) as well and have a new Sunday only reciprocal pass with Shanty Creek.

Crystal Mountain Resort, of Thompsonville, (231) 378-2000, www.crystalmountain.com, the big news is the Crystal Spa, a $4 million, 13,000-square-foot expansion to the existing indoor pool and fitness center.  There will be a difference in this facility that Crystal Mountain CEO and President Jim MacInnes believes will set the direction for helping to reduce spiraling energy costs. The Crystal Spa is a LEED-certified facility, which means it went through a rigorous, independent, third-party verification program to certify that it is environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy.  LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  In addition, the Sierra Club recently gave the resort its White Pine Award for "extraordinary dedication to protection of the environment." 

On the slopes, MacInnes purchases credits to power the Crystal Clipper high-speed quad chairlift entirely by wind power.  He has a long-term goal to power the entire resort with 100 percent renewable energy.

The Homestead of Glen Arbor, (231) 334-5000, www.thehomesteadresort.com , opened Spa Amira, Amira—a total mind and body wellness center offering tranquil outdoor gardens and labyrinths, relaxation pools and massage treatments.  The spa is situated high on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the Manitou Islands.  Inside, the spa features four treatment rooms for massage treatments, manicures and pedicures.  In the resort’s pedestrian Village where shops, restaurants and two of the resorts’ hotels are located, a new state-of-the-art fitness center called New Leaf, is under construction with the hopes of a grand opening by ski season.

Indianhead Mountain of Wakefield (906) 229-5181, www.indianheadmtn.com, and Big Powderhorn, (906) 932-4838, www.bigpowderhorn.net, offer a combined interchangeable lift ticket called the Hill Hopper.  Discounted 1, 2, 3 and 4-day Hill Hoppers are available on the Big Snow Country website, www.bigsnow.com or at both of the resorts for a limited time.  Each ticket is completely interchangeable, meaning you can “hop” from one ski area to the other without having to buy a new ticket or stop at the ticket office.  The pre-season cost for a 1-day adult Hill Hopper ticket is $37, down from $50 regular price and a 3-day adult ticket is $111, down from the regular price of $129.

Marquette Mountain of Marquette (906) 225-1155, www.marquettemountain.com, constructed a one-lane traffic and pedestrian bridge across the Carp River to ease access to parking.  The area tripled snowmaking capability to the east side trails with a new snowmaking pond and pump house and they added a new Prinoth 350 groomer to the area’s snow grooming fleet. 

New Rental skis have been added to the rental department. 

This year, Marquette Mountain is offering special deals for midweek skiers, who can purchase daily 11 a.m. ski lessons for just $10 and buy a midweek ski/snowboard package which includes lift and rental equipment for $39, not valid December 20 through Jan 4.

Michigan Technological University, the owner of Mont Ripley, (906) 487-2340, www.skimontripley.com, recently introduced a program called “Experience Michigan Tech”, which allows Michigan Tech students to ski and board all season at Mont Ripley with their student ID.  Rental equipment is not included.  The program which incurs a nominal fee to all students also includes student use of the Portage Lake Golf Course, Gates Tennis Center, participation in intramural sports and attendance at Husky Hockey games and Fine Arts events.

Mt. Bohemia in the UP's Keweenaw Peninsula, (906) 487-9757, www.mtbohemia.com, will hold a $99 season pass sale on Dec 6.  Mt Bohemia is offering a special lodging deal for its yurts and cabins.  Lodgers stay free Wednesday night when they pay for Tuesday or Thursday night.  Yurts are circular, domed tent-like dwellings.  The yurts sleep five, are heated, and have bathrooms and electricity.

Mt. Brighton Ski Area, Brighton, (810) 229-9581, www.mtbrighton.com , expanded its terrain park, with new rails, jumps and other challenging obstacles.

Mt. Holiday in Traverse City (231) 938-2500, www.mt-holiday.com, has made numerous improvements to its lodge, including a renovated kitchen, concessions, and nutritional and health services area.  There is also a new information and guest services check-in area, a new lesson center and snow sports school and an enlarged equipment rental area. The area is under new management.

Mt. Holly of Holly, (248) 634-8269 www.skimtholly.com, added 10 new snowmaking machines plus more snowmaking water capacity.  Inside, the rental department was remodeled and updated.

Mt. Zion, (906) 932-4231, gogebic.cc.mi.us/aboutGCC/mtzion.shtm in the western UP is owned by Gogebic Community College, which has a Ski Area Management Program.  The area added a new More Difficult trail on the north side of the hill for public and student enjoyment in the upcoming season.

Nubs Nob of Harbor Springs, (231) 526-2131, www.nubsnob.com , has a new custom-built triple-seat chairlift for the Pintail Peak.  It is a fixed-grip chairlift that will increase uphill skier and snowboarder capacity on the Peak by over 65 percent.  Nubs Nob has also added 12 additional snow guns, manufactured by the Nub’s Nob crew, bringing the total arsenal count to 262. 

The ski area purchased all new adult and children snowboards, boots and bindings for their rental fleet.  Last year, they purchased all new skis, boots and bindings so their rental department is very up-to-date. 

Nubs is adding two new season passes to their offerings, the Limited Pass and the College Pass.  The Limited Pass is less expensive than the Unlimited Pass and allows the holder to ski anytime except Saturday daytime and blackout dates.  The College Pass reduces the rates for college students through age 21, with a valid college ID.

Pine Knob Ski Resort of Clarkston, (248) 625-0800, www.skipineknob.com, increased snowmaking capability by 15 percent with new snow guns and retrofitted older guns–all painted fire-engine red, and new pumps and transformers.  “We’re trying to put great snow out from the very first day we’re open, and keep it going throughout the season” said Pat Deibel, ski school director.  The area also revamped its Wonder Carpet conveyor lift.

Pine Mountain of Iron Mountain, (906) 774-2747, www.pinemountainresort.com, will be offering a package called Sunday Family Day from noon to 4 p.m.  It includes lifts and rentals for a family of 4 for $69.00.  Back by popular demand with additional days is the free learn to Ski or Ride days.  This year there will be 3 days:  Saturday, December 13, Sunday, December 14 and Sunday, December 21.

On these days, novice skiers receive free lift, beginner lesson and rental equipment.  They must pre-register.  Pine Mountain also has a 3-week, Learn to Ski or Ride program for $99, which includes lift ticket, rental and lesson and upon completion; a free Season Pass.  There are two sessions held on Sundays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The first starts January 4 and the second starts January 25, 2009.

Ski Brule of Iron River, (906) 265-6754, www.skibrule.com, established a new terrain park, adjacent to the bunny hill and named it Bambi Playground.  To meet the growing need for challenge, Ski Brule overhauled its other two terrain parks with new design elements and features.  In order to maintain its history of being Michigan’s first ski area to open each year and last to close, Ski Brule added additional snowmaking with new snowmaking pumps and water lines.

Shanty Creek Resort & Club, of Bellaire, 1-800-678-4111, www.shantycreek.com , completed a $10 million hotel renovation.  The Lakeview Hotel & Conference Center – formerly known as the Summit Village Hotel – was given an upscale “lake house” design with an entirely redesigned lobby, restaurant, lounge and bar, guestrooms, meeting and banquet facilities, including the 9,600 square-foot Grand Ballroom.  The renovations temporarily closed the Summit Mountain slopes during the 2007-2008 season. 

Summit Mountain’s 12 slopes will be open this winter with several upgrades to the mountain taking place including terrain upgrades and equipment upgrades.  The Summit Mountain’s most popular slope, Greenway, was widened and expanded.  There will also be more snow this winter at Summit Mountain with all-new snowmaking equipment. 

At the nearby Schuss Mountain, the halfpipe was moved and enlarged, increasing the overall length and width of the pipe.  The tubing park was moved to the backside of Schuss Mountain and enlarged with more and longer lanes.

Swiss Valley of Jones near the Indiana border, (248) 244-5635, SkiSwissValley.com, has continued to upgrade and expand its current snowmaking system.  Swiss Valley added a starter terrain park focusing on smaller elements and "learn to" hits and features.  In addition, Quad 83, a More Difficult run, was widened to allow more room for lessons and terrain variety.  Last year, conditions provided for the building of a quarter pipe, whale backs and snow ripples. 

This year, Swiss Valley added several events including races and freestyle competition opportunities.  Also, the snowboard rental fleet and rental area were expanded and upgraded for the season.

Timber Ridge in Gobles (269) 694-9449, www.timberridgeski.com, is proud to have a new fuel efficient Piston Bully Snow Groomer.  “We tried it out at the end of last season and wow does it ever make a difference in the texture of the snow. Can you say ‘soft and smooth?’

Treetops Resort in Treetops Village, (near Gaylord), 1-888-TREETOPS, www.treetops.com, totally reshaped the area’s tubing runs, expanding the length by nearly 100 feet and increasing the width at the top, making for a more varied tubing experience.

MINNESOTA

Afton Alps Ski Area (651) 436-5245 www.aftonalps.com   Afton Alps has continued it's investment in the improvement of snow conditions. We are once again expanding our snowmaking. Newly purchased snow machines will line many runs in the Meadows Area. The quality of snow will please all customers and especially be appreciated by our ski and snowboard school families. New technology allows more snow to be made in a shorter period of time. Afton Alps is committed to having some of the best conditions around. Come enjoy!

Buck Hill, MN in the southwest Twin Cities metro area (763) 479-6936 www.buckhill.com took the initiative to teach more people to Ski and Snowboard by replacing a 1954 J-Bar and a beginner area rope tow with an 800-foot Magic Carpet conveyor lift at the beginner’s area. The new Magic Carpet conveyor is very user friendly and this one features a 320-foot pre-cast concrete bridge by Hanson Structural Precast. The 320’ bridge spans a ski run and features a fiberglass canopy by Magic Carpet.

Buck Hill snowmaking crew installed over half mile of new pipeline to add even more snowmaking capacity for better all winter snow coverage of our slopes.

Buck Hill purchased a 400 Park Bully – a significant upgrade to the grooming fleet.

 Giants Ridge Golf and Ski Resort (800) 688-7669 www.giantsridge.com and Spirit Mountain in Duluth  (800) 642-6377 www.spiritmt.com are excited to announce a new joint marketing venture which will give skiers more diversity and also save them some money. 

This winter, skiers and snowboarders can bring a daily lift ticket (from the 08/09 season) from one resort to the other resort and qualify for a “buy one, get one free” lift ticket offer.  This way, people can ski at one area, and then save 50% on their lift tickets at the second area.  The program is very simple and will hopefully encourage skiers to visit both mountains and enjoy the wide diversity of terrain and incredible snow conditions that Northern Minnesota has to offer.    

Lutsen Mountains     (218) 663-7281 www.lutsen.com  Increasing capacity to Eagle Mountain’s north-facing Most Difficult runs by 30%, a new triple chairlift will be making its debut at Lutsen Mountains in 2008-09. Skiers will board the lift at the base area near the Historic Scandinavian Chalet for a ride to the summit of Eagle Mountain. This lift will be a welcome addition to those looking to ski Eagle and Ullr mountains while staying above the base area, in-turn easing demand for Bridge Lift to the summit of Eagle Mountain. 

The Plunge is back! The near vertical drop on the North Face of Moose Mountain will reopen this season.  As steep as any run in North America, and the steepest in Mid-America with a 90% slope and winch-cat grooming, The Plunge will challenge both expert skiers and those that are brave enough to try.

Additionally there are lodging changes at Eagle Ridge Resort with new one-bedroom units, a new lobby/check-in area and additional renovations.

 Powder Ridge Ski Area (800) 348-7734 www.powderridge.com has a new snowboard fleet in the rental center. There is now even more fun to be had at Powder Ridge.

Spirit Mountain Recreation Area (800) 642-6377 www.spiritmt.com has a new fleet of both rental skis and snowboards. Lots of great gear to choose from to learn or advance your winter fun skills. Spirit Mountain Recreation Area offers a joint ticket program with Giant’s Ridge (see the description of the program at the Giants Ridge listing).

 Welch Village Resort, MN (651) 222-7079 www.welchvillage.com announces the opening of their new Back Bowl slopes for the 2008-09 winter season.  A new four passenger chairlift designed by Doppelmayr CTEC, the leading manufacturer of ski lifts in the world, is under construction for the west side of the Back Bowl.  Snowmaking for the twelve new slopes includes 7000 feet of pipe, four new Polecat fan units from SMI Snow Makers, and 30 York Watersticks from Johnson Controls.  A new Piston Bully snow grooming machine has been purchased from Kassbohrer ATV to enable grooming of the new, mostly Most Difficult  slopes.  Construction of the new slopes and equipment is on schedule, aimed at opening Dec. 26, 2008.

Opening of the new slopes will add terrain features substantially different from the fifty runs now open to skiers and snowboarders at Welch Village.  The slopes face south and east away from the prevailing northwest winds in the winter season.  Layout of the slopes includes two large bowl areas plus several sharply pitched Most Difficult runs, and a long connecting valley with an interesting fall line.  Another new quad chairlift is planned for the Back Bowl area, as well as a small “on the top” day chalet, hopefully opening for the 2009-10 season.

For the first month after opening, the Back Bowl will only be open to guests who have membership status.  For the remainder of the season the new slopes will be open to all qualified guests.  Because of the more advanced nature of the new slopes, limitations of use will be needed for guests new to the sport. 

Wild Mountain, MN (651) 465-6315 www.wildmountain.com has a new $250,000 environmental friendly groomer. The "Park Bully Edge" has all the features of a traditional Piston Bully, but in addition it has the capability and design feautures for grooming terrain parks. In addition, it uses 25% less fuel than traditional snow cats and also meets the strictest emission standards.

The Beginner Learning Area has been re designed with the addition of a 100 foot conveyor lift on Dandy (northern beginner hill), making the ride up truly beginner friendly. This, along with other terrain changes will give the Wild Mountain Snowsports School a dedicated beginner teaching area to inspire a fun, exciting learning experience for new enthusiasts of all ages.

WISCONSIN

CASCADE MOUNTAIN SKI AREA (800) 992-2SKI www.cascademountain.com  has New Terrain Parks - The Rail Yard Park and The North Park. We are returning the Super Park to the Manitou trail and moving our terrain parks near the Daisy lodge.

• Cascade Mountain now offers Beginner Terrain Park Lessons - Learn rails, jumps, and more with a professional instructor. 

• Cascade Mountain has Expanded Rental Equipment - More rental skis, boots and boards from Head and Rossignol

• We have a Great High Performance Ski Selection - The latest high performance skis and boards available to rent or buy.

• And last, but not least: Parking Lot Improvements - We have added more parking, and restructured our parking lots to provide you with easier parking arrangements. 

 GRANITE PEAK SKI AREA (715) 845-2846 www.skigranitepeak.com  Granite Peak has lots up her sleeve for the coming season... Of course there's new snowmaking equipment, a perennial "gimme," but that's just the tip of the iceberg...

-- Granite Peak has added a huge textured color-concrete patio with tables and seating capacity up to 400 in the area between the historic chalet and the slopes. Warmed by portable overhead heaters, patio-goers can watch the skiers or pass the time in cozy comfort.  There'll be an outdoor grill at one end of the patio serving up great food on weekends and holidays in addition to Granite Peak's regular food venues.

 -- The beautiful bar from the lower level of the Historic Chalet has been moved upstairs, offering mountain-views through the large, picture windows; warmth from two original massive stone fireplaces; and favorite sports to be watched on big-screen TVs, when fans aren't watching the slopes.

-- The lower level of the historic chalet now offers more space with additional seating, changing area, and new bathrooms.

But that's not all! Granite Peak added textured colored concrete in the main courtyard between the rental buildings and the historic chalet. The ski area's new retail shop enters into the courtyard, offering sweaters, hats, gloves, and gifts, boasting names like Smith and Spy (goggles), Mountain Hardwear, Obermeyer; and other popular brands such as Under Armor and Hot Chillys.

-- Also new at Granite Peak this season will be special express lines for those who've ordered their lift tickets online ­ allowing foresighted buyers to hit the slopes quicker.

SUNBURST SKI AREA, WI  (262) 626-8404 www.skisunburst.com is completing a one million dollar expansion of its ski area support center.  The facilities complete a new maintenance facility, first aid room, ski patrol training center and management office. The entire ten thousand square foot building is heated exclusively with GREEN geo-thermal radiant in-floor heating. State of the art lighting also enables Sunburst to reduce energy costs associated with operating the facility.

Other new buildings in the support center include a new snowmaking pump house.  Sunburst doubled its snowmaking capacity by installing a 300 horse power snowmaking pump which will use an energy efficient variable frequency drive (VFD) to control water flow.  Using this increased snowmaking capacity will enable Sunburst to assist WEEnergies power company by reducing “on-peak” electricity.

Rounding out the support center is the addition of the new “Beach House” café.  Ideally located at the bottom of the main chairlift, the beach House will be a great rest area with bathrooms, food service and ticketing all with a terrific view of the slopes.

GOING GREEN!

Many ski areas are GOING GREEN with energy saving and conservation improvements across the board.

Buck Hill MN and Crystal Mountain MI were among the first to use wind energy to power their lifts.

Wild Mountain, MN has made an effort to find every possible way to help create sustainable slopes (see the national sustainable slopes program www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes/ )   Here is what Wild Mountain is doing:

A necessary evolution to thinking green is fortunately occurring in our society and much of the world.  But, green means different things to different people.  We thought we’d tell our customer base what “being green” means to Wild Mountain – Taylors Falls Recreation.

Each year since the mid-80s, our management team has morphed our development and problem-solving thinking into an increasingly deeper shade of green.  The diverse and complex blend of our recreational companies made going green an equally complex task.  As we surveyed our businesses, (ski, snowboard & snow tubing area, water park, alpine slides & go-karts, canoe & kayak rental, & scenic boat tours on the St. Croix River, and campground,) we found that opportunities and problems co-mingle in the environmental arena.  Small business must be far sighted in selecting options - by choosing those that don’t cause new problems yet allow business to remain within budgetary dictates.  When a strategy works we adopt it.  When it doesn’t, we search for an alternative that does.  Here are some things we’ve done as our shade of green has become more intense;

Use of Electrical Power – An on-going, unending process.

• Replacing fluorescent t12 lights and incandescent bulbs to new highly efficient t8 units, which require less electricity.

• Occupancy sensors are being used in rooms used by the public, which turn off lights when the rooms are unoccupied.

• Photo cells and timers avoid use of outdoor lighting when not needed.

• Outside lighting on ski slopes is changing from Quartz elements to Metal Halide, which reduces power demand by some 40%.

• To provide better lighting, and less skyward light pollution, old slope- lighting reflectors are being replaced with modern units whose light can be aimed.  This effort also reduces the demand for electricity by concentrating light where it is needed.

• Wild Mountain has emergency power generators enabling operation of lifts and lights during power failures that can darken entire communities.  Our generators are also used in cooperation with NSP, during their max-power overload times, which reduces demand on their power source when necessary.

Heating – An on-going, unending process.

• Our office/operations centers are both heated and cooled with high efficiency ground water heat pumps.

• Our large capacity ski and tubing chalets are heated with 98% efficient heaters.

• Combined with our solar-passive designs, they require absolutely no heaters of any kind in the upstairs, second-story areas.

Summer Water Use Controls – An on-going, unending process.

• All of our restrooms have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets and toilets.

• Summer water slides and rides continually filter re-cycled, water from the reservoir, which requires only small amounts of supplemental water to replace evaporation and spillage. 

Snow Making - Water Use Controls – An on-going, unending process.

• Wild Mountain uses high-tech and high-efficiency SMI snow making machines, and high-flow nozzles, which reduce water evaporation during production. 

• Our machines require 50% less power per cubic foot of water converted into snow, yet produce, nearly 50% more snow than types we originally used.

• To further improve efficiency, reduce power use, and increase snow making, Wild Mountain cools water in its hilltop reservoir.  It is then gravity-fed to the snow machine pumping system.  The near freezing temperature of the cooled water enables machines to produce more snow in less time.

• Wild’s state-of-the-art system enables all ski, tubing, and terrain park slopes to be covered with machine-made snow in half the time it used to take.

Waste Management – An on-going, unending process.

• Long before green became an environmental expression,  Wild Mountain – Taylors Falls Recreation practiced recycling.  We recycle aluminum, glass, plastic, paper and cardboard containers at all locations, which reduces our landfill contribution by an average 24 cubic yards per month. 

• Our resale product selection is governed by the dictates of waist reduction and container recycling.

• Our used oil and grease products from our fleet of transportation vehicles, snow grooming cats and maintenance units is provided to companies who use it in road paving surfaces.

• All used cooking oils are transferred to FOG (Fats, Oils, & Grease) processing plants that re-cycle it into re-use products.

Fuel Efficient Fleet – An on-going, unending process.

• We have been changing our fleet of snowmobiles and four-wheelers from two to four-stroke cleaner engines as they phase out and are replaced.

• Our new Park Bully Edge Terrain Park groomer is a $250,000 groomer that keeps our grooming fleet state-of-the-art, and it is 25% more fuel efficient and meets the most-strict, exhaust emission standards.

Standards Compliance – An on-going, unending process.

• We strive to meet or exceed existing state and county environmental guidelines.

• We continue to invest in research into issues such as, Storm-water- Pollution prevention planning, and on-going environmental compliance.

Green Education – An on-going, unending process.

Our management team is headed by, a mechanical engineer, by degree, but one who also beneficially spent part of his career as a performance test engineer for Minnesota Power Company, with a focus on electrical distribution efficiency.  Our team monitors environmental practices of the National Ski Areas Association, and we peruse the web and industry to gain knowledge that continues to darken our shade of green.  We want you to know, “We will continue to responsibly fulfill our environmental contributions and obligations as we have in the past.  Everything at Wild Mountain – Taylors Falls Recreation, will be green but the snow!