Wilmington, NY – Skiers and riders will no longer have to rely on Mother Nature to provide enough snow to cover Whiteface Mountain’s Hoyt’s High Trail.  Crews have begun installing snowmaking piping along the 4,700 foot long expert trail at the ski resort in New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

Named in honor of Whiteface veteran ski patroller Jim Hoyt Sr., Hoyt’s High was cut in 2008, but has relied on natural snowfall to cover its 1,400 feet of vertical drop.  Last week, snowmaking piping started to arrive and crews began installing the piping in anticipation of Whiteface’s opening day, currently scheduled for Friday, Nov. 23.

“This is a significant undertaking since the access is limited with lots of twists and turns and a relatively narrow width,” remarked the mountain’s general manager Bruce McCulley.  “It’s exciting to think that this part of the Lookout Mountain expansion will be available for our guests on a more consistent basis.  With this trail open more often, it will certainly change the traffic flow on the entire mountain.”

Adding snowmaking to Hoyt’s High Trail is one of several projects and improvements underway at Whiteface in anticipation of the 2012-13 ski and snowboard season.  The mountain has purchased a new Pisten Bully 600W groomer and several more new low-energy snowmaking guns.

When skiers and riders aren’t on Whiteface’s 86 trails, they can enjoy a newly renovated Base Camp Café and Cloudspin Lounge, both located in the mountain’s base lodge.  Partnering with Centerplate, the Base Lodge Café will have a new look to go along with new menus and food choices that will range from the Black Diamond Burrito to Pinetree Pizza Co. Other areas of the food court include the Firepit Grill, the Lean-To Deli, and the Backcountry Soups and Chili.

Meanwhile, the Cloudspin Lounge will remain a favorite après ski spot with a newly expanded bar area and pub-like atmosphere.  The new menu will focus on pub and bar food.