Every ski season, resorts have some sort of on-mountain improvement, be it a new high speed quad or restaurant expansion. But for the 2010/11 ski season, The Canyons really does have some major improvements that will be ready to go when the snow flies.
The Canyons has announced a major overhaul of the base area that they’re calling, “The Re-Creation of The Canyons.” That’s a big claim, but there’s some proof behind the words. Here’s a rundown from a press release that The Canyons sent out yesterday.
Orange Bubbled, State-of-the-Art Lift – First of its Kind in North America
The Canyons will be installing a new high-speed quad that is the “first of its kind in North America.” The chairs will be enclosed in an orange bubble to protect from the elements and will feature heated seats. The new lift replaces the old Golden Eagle double chair and will start near the Grand Summit Hotel and drop skiers off just south of the Sun Peak lift. This new quad will nearly double the resort’s uphill capacity from the base, clearing the current bottleneck the gondola causes.
New Gondola Location
Basically, the gondola is being relocated so people exiting the Cabriolet Lift don’t have to walk so far. In addition, the new gondola base will be located in a more central location in the base village right across from the Cabriolet.
New Terrain
300 new acres of ski terrain will be opened on Iron Mountain and will be accessed with brand new lift. A detachable quad will transport guests to ten new ski runs on northwest-facing slopes that will consist of intermediate and expert skiing, including glades.
New Snowmaking
The Canyons is building a 20 million gallon reservoir to hold water that will be used to double the resorts snow-making capabilities.
Canyons Ski Beach
Maybe taking a page from the legendary “beach” at Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin, The Canyons’ Ski Beach will be a gathering place for post-skiing parties and relaxation. The Ski Beach will be located between the base terminal of the new gondola and the new “orange bubble” high speed quad. The Ski Beach will also host summer concerts and other events throughout the year.
If you ski or snowboard at The Canyons and want to know more about all the huge renovations gong on there, be sure to visit them at www.thecanyons.com.