Mansfield, OH – Scott Crislip, general manager of Snow Trails ski resort near Mansfield, Ohio, has confirmed that the resort’s additions and expansion projects that have been underway this summer will be ready by the time the snow flies for the 2011-12 ski season set to begin December 9. Several projects, representing $2 million in capital expenditures, were revealed.
A major investment in the ski area’s snowmaking system will result in a 38 percent increase in capacity and efficiency to serve the new Timberline Trail and other slopes by the addition of a new high-volume 2,000 GPM water well. Also, a critical part of the upgrade is a new cooling tower to take the water temperature down to 38 degrees from the underground temperature of 53 degrees. This cooling process will significantly increase snowmaking efficiency, particularly in marginal weather conditions, explained Thad Philpott, mountain manager of Snow Trails.
Pumping capacity for the upgraded snowmaking system will be increased by 30 percent with the addition of a new 300 horsepower vertical turbine pump. The additional capacity services not only the new Timberline Trail but also will assure increased snowmaking coverage overall. Twelve new tower-mounted snow machines, mostly for the new Timberline Trail, will make for a total of fifty units at the resort, according to Philpott.
A mile of new six and eight-inch welded steel pipe, plus copper electrical wires buried in conduit, have been added to provide water and power for snowmaking and night lighting on the new trail as well as upgrade other locations. The new Timberline Trail, on the west side of the resort, will be the longest in Ohio.
Also according to Crislip, four Pisten Bully snowcats, manufactured in Germany, have been added to the resort’s grooming fleet. The Snow Trails grooming fleet itself represents an investment of over a million dollars, he added.
In order to double the inventory of skis, snowboards, boots, helmets as well as other items, Crislip explained that a new Rental Center is being built to better accommodate visitors. It will be used in place of the old 1,200 square foot facility. The new state-of-the-art 9,000 square foot building, with self service system and geothermal radiant heat floor, will be conveniently close to the beginner’s area at the resort.
The former rental space will be converted to a new Children’s Learning Center and Preferred Locker Room for additional seasonal lockers. The Children’s Learning Center is one of the largest in Ohio and serves five to nine-year-olds in the new “Polar Bear Program” and three to four-year-olds in the new “Polar Cub Program.” These programs will meet seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Nate Wolleson, marketing manager of the resort, stated the capital improvements this year follow last year’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Season which was one of the best on record at Snow Trails, founded in 1961.