| Reproduced in part from FirstTracksOnLine: At a press briefing on Thursday, The Buncher Company, the new owner’s of Hidden Valley Four Season Resort, shared their master plan through 2008-2009. The plan calls for significant improvements to the lodging and recreational amenities at Hidden Valley and includes new residential and commercial development on adjacent property – totally 820 contiguous acres. Over the next three years, a village featuring a 200,000 square foot base lodge/condominium complex complete with ski services is the centerpiece of the proposed new development at Hidden Valley. The new lodge/condo would replace a portion of the existing day lodge. In carrying out its vision, Buncher is working to preserve the integrity of the resort community, to enhance the beauty of its natural surroundings, and to continue its family orientation. Since acquiring Hidden Valley, Buncher’s has worked to make many improvements for the winter season. They have done extensive renovations to the resort and ski facilities: four new roofs; new paint on the interior and exterior of the buildings; new carpeting; new doors; new signage and lighting; refurbished restrooms; repaved roads and parking lots; and new ramps to improve access for the disabled. The Four Seasons Condominiums also received fresh coatings of paint, and 38 rooms are being refurbished. On the technology front, all lodge facilities now have wireless Internet services. New mountain webcams, including an interactive video camera and a new web site are also in the works. Hidden Valley will boost fully automatic snowmaking on three slopes, powered in part by 30 new TechnoAlpin M18 automatic snow guns and new snow pipes. The pole mount fan guns are equipped with onboard weather stations to optimize the air/water mix. Skiers will find two new Pisten Bully snow groomers and a Zaugg half pipe cutter. Skiers will also enjoy rides to the top of the slopes aboard new chairs on two triple chairlifts. A first for the region will be the installation of an Emmegi Loading Conveyor for skiers and riders at the North Summit quad. The loading conveyors move at about half the speed of a regular chairlift to ensure safe and more efficient loading- ideal for beginners and children. Details have also been attended to off mountain, including making stairs deeper for ski boots, and installing new racking systems and improving the flow for rentals to enhance skier safety and service. Buncher has also replace 60% of the rental equipment. They have stocked hundreds of Elan skies and bindings, Dalbello ski boots, Atomic snow boards and Salomon snowboard boots, new poles and Boeri helmets. Among the improvements proposed for 2008 are further enhancements to the ski facilities, including the installation of a new quad chairlift (to replace two doubles), additional automated snowmaking, and new slopes and trails at the Outback. A professional ski shop on the ground level of the Clock Tower building houses the latest gear for winter sports and recreation. In food and drink, a full-service John Harvard’s Brew House restaurant will operate year-round at Outback Park. John Harvard’s Express, the new cafeteria at the ski lodge, offers quick bites like burgers, sandwiches and wraps, gourmet pizza and a kid’s menu. There’s also a new café in the Clock Tower featuring artisan breads and baked goods, gourmet coffees and teas, country harvest soups, hot off the griddle Panini sandwiches, chop chop salads made to order and sandwich stacks. And to top it off, Buncher plans further improvements for the golf facilities in the spring. |
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| First Peak at the Hidden Valley Ski Resort’s Master Plan |