Blue Mountain Increases Ability to Make More Snow

BLUE MOUNTAINS, ON – October 23, 2012 – Blue Mountain is preparing for the return of winter with new upgrades to its industry-leading snowmaking system. The upgrades improve the Resort’s total snowmaking capacity by approximately 10 per cent, and increase its ability to make more snow at warmer temperatures.

“We’re proud to have Canada’s largest and most sophisticated snowmaking system,” said Alvin Weatherall, VP Mountain Operations and Risk Management, Blue Mountain Resort. “Snowmaking has long been a part of our history. Our strategy moving forward is to continue to improve our system by investing in the latest snowmaking technologies that enable us to maintain consistent mountain conditions regardless of fluctuations in climate and snow patterns.”

Executing on this strategy, the Resort invested more than $500,000 in snowmaking upgrades over the summer. The most notable additions for skiers and snowboarders are 50 new two-stage, high-temperature guns that enable the Resort to make more snow at temperatures as high as -2°C.

Blue Mountain also improved its industry-leading snowmaking capabilities by approximately 10 per cent. The increase is generated by the addition of 10,000 ft of new snowmaking pipe and a new pump that increases the Resort’s capacity to push water up the hill at a maximum rate of 14,000 gallons per minute (GPM) to more than 500 hydrant locations – leading the industry in this area.

“With these upgrades, Blue Mountain has invested more than $12-million in snowmaking infrastructure to date,” said Weatherall. “Our snowmaking system allowed us to maintain consistent conditions and stay open more than 96 days last season, one of the warmest on record. The benefits of snowmaking to our guests include insurance against poor seasonal weather, longer seasons, better conditions, faster rebound time from thaws and more durable snow that lasts throughout the season,” he added.

Armed with improved snowmaking the Resort hopes to reassure skiers and snowboarders that it can deliver winter even during warmer than average seasons. The Resort has also revamped its Season Pass lineup and has options available for all schedules, styles and budgets. Early Bird rates on all Passes end at 11:59 p.m. on November 1st, 2012. For more information, please visit www.bluemountain.ca/passes

Winter Highlights
•         Despite warmer temperatures Blue Mountain was open 96 days during the 2011/12 season and the Resort has averaged 119 ski days per season over the last 10 years
•         Blue Mountain has the largest snowmaking system in Canada with the ability to cover 98% of its terrain!
•         Blue Mountain’s snowmaking system returns more than 90% of the water used back to Georgian Bay.
•         The Resort has one of the most experienced grooming, snowmaking, and operations teams in the industry.
•         Blue Mountain has one the highest verticals in Southern Ontario and the most terrain of any resort in the province.
•         The resort features 36 trails, 15 lifts, 2 terrain parks, a pedestrian village with more than 40 shops, restaurants and bars, and a wide selection of off-hill activities.
•         Freshly groomed trails every morning and night – 9 a.m. and again at 4:30 p.m. – makes riding under the sun or stars that much better!
•         Blue Mountain has 4 high-speed six person chairlifts – so, even when it’s busy, skiers and boarders get more time on the hill.
•         New upgrades to the Badlands terrain park will feature a new and improved super pipe and increased space for new jump lines and rail lines. Snowmaking in the terrain park has also been improved.
•         2012/13 Season Passes start at $149. The Early Bird deadline ends at 11:59 p.m. on November 1st, 2012.
For more information about Blue Mountain’s industry-leading snowmaking system, please visit www.bluemountain.ca/snowmaking.htm


Collin Matanowitsch
PR Specialist
Blue Mountain Resorts Limited

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