North Woodstock, NH – Following the state’s third best ski season on record, workers at New Hampshire’s ski areas are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work improving their resorts for guests for the upcoming 2011-12 winter season.

Loon Mountain, Lincoln -Two new trails are being added to the terrain at South Peak at Loon.  Snowmaking improvements at Loon Mountain continue this summer with the addition of 100 new tower guns on the main mountain and 67 new tower guns on South Peak.  A new Bison X grooming machine has been added to the resort’s fleet, and the Loon ski patrol will also enjoy a new summit patrol building.

Granite Gorge, Keene – A major base lodge addition is underway for the 2011-12 winter at Granite Gorge.  Among the improvements are an expanded ticketing, rental and apparel area.  Guests will also find new bathrooms, kitchen and dining area this coming winter.  The Lookout Lounge at Granite Gorge, with a full liquor license, will have an all-weather deck overlooking the mountain; on days with harsh weather, the deck has a canvas enclosure and heating.  New computers will be installed to improve the customer service experience.  On the hill, significant trail work is being completed with several trails being expanded and trees being removed to open up Granite Gorge’s terrain.  Additional snowmaking will be added to the resort’s Sunset Trail and two new snow guns will be added to the fleet.  Those looking for some serious air-time will enjoy the brand new Bag Jump, an inflatable landing area that allows skiers and riders to launch and land softly on the bag.

Pats Peak, Henniker – Guests visiting Pats Peak next winter will benefit from snowmaking upgrades that include the addition of eight new SMI Fan Snowguns, two new HKD Turbo Fans and 3,000 feet of new snowmaking pipe.

“We will be able to open more terrain faster and sustain it longer through stretches with marginal temperatures,” explains Kris Blomback, Pats Peak general manager. “Also, using this type of snowmaking technology provides us with substantial savings in energy costs.”

The Pats Peak Rental Shop is now a Burton Learn to Ride Center with 150 new kids and 200 adult beginner specific snowboards, while skiers will be greeted by 250 new pairs of Dalbello ski boots.  The Bear’s Club Kids Program will now have its own fleet of rental ski, snowboards and boots so families can bypass the rental shop and head direct to the Bear’s Den.  The terrain parks at Pats Peak continue to grow with the addition of a progression park for those just getting started catching air, hitting rails and sliding boxes.  A new Freestyle Camp will also be held on vacation periods.  Other improvements include additional air conditioning in the Sled Pub, fresh stain and new carpets for the base lodge, and renovated bathrooms in the Sleigh Room.

Mount Sunapee, Newbury – A new gladed run, Beck Brook Glades, is being cut, bringing Mount Sunapee’s total to nine gladed trails.  Snowmaking is being added to the resort’s Outer Ridge Trail, which provides an alternate route off the Upper Ridge Trail.  The mountain will also become a Burton Learn-To-Ride Center including a full complement of Burton rental equipment that is designed to make learning to snowboard easier for guests.

Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford – Gunstock spent over $2.1 million on improvements over the past year, most of it on summer activities.  Among these summer improvements that skiers and riders will also enjoy are the Big Air Bag Jump which allows adventurous skiers and riders get a feeling for catching big air while enjoying a soft, safe landing on the bag.  Gunstock’s newly installed Zip-Tour will also be available for winter guests, allowing them to enjoy zooming down the mountain through the air above the treetops.

Cranmore, North Conway – After spending $6 million last summer, more improvements are underway this summer at Cranmore.  Forty new high-efficiency snowmaking tower guns are being added.  To keep surfaces soft a new Prinoth Bison Groomer has been added to the grooming fleet.  Improvements are also being made to Cranmore’s base lodge, rest rooms, and food and beverage facilities.  A substantial investment to upgrade rental equipment is also being made.

Black Mountain, Jackson – New air compressors will be added to the snowmaking system, increasing Black Mountain’s snowmaking capacity by 35%.  The resort’s Sugarbush trail is being landscaped and widened.  The lodge is receiving numerous upgrades including remodeled bathrooms, new flooring in guest services, a new locker room, renovated third floor eating area and expanded seating for the bar and dining area at Lostbo Pub.

Crotched Mountain, Bennington – Over the summer the fleet of Head ski and snowboard rentals is being expanded to ensure plenty of inventory and the latest equipment for guests next winter at Crotched Mountain.  The terrain parks will receive many new elements, as well as an all-new park for freestyle program participants.  The lodge and cafeteria are also receiving improvements.

King Pine and Purity Spring Resort, East Madison – Major improvements to the snowmaking system being undertaken at King Pine this summer include converting the operations to electric power.

Windblown XC, New Ipswich – Over the summer Windblown’s logging operation will open up trails and allow for the addition of telemark and backcountry skiing.