Holiday Valley Expansion 2006

Here we go again...Holiday Valley is spending $4.3 million on improvements for winter and summer operations this year. The 2006 capital project budget brings the 15 year total reinvestment to $45 million! The major projects this summer include construction of a 62 million gallon lake for snowmaking, expansion of the Junior Team Training Center/Upper Ski Patrol Room, continuation of the golf course renovation, Inn guest room renovations, terrain park and pipe improvements and web site improvements.

The 13 acre Spruce Lake, located west of the top of the Tannenbaum lift, will double the snowmaking capacity of the Valley’s already massive system. The large supply of water at the top of the mountain will enable crews to make more snow during cold weather resulting in better quality snow made more efficiently by using less energy. A pumping station and new underground piping will also be completed this summer. A lift is planned for the future that will originate near the base of Tannenbaum and run roughly perpendicular to the existing Tannenbaum Quad. A few slopes will be roughed in this summer in the area of the new lake. The Valley plans to make the lake available for fishing, canoeing and kayaking during future summer months and is considering real estate opportunities along the shore.

A note to White Trail and Finger Lakes Trail users: please observe the posted signs and follow the white blazes for the detour around the lake construction area. Logging and excavation operations are underway!

The Holiday Valley Training Center and Upper Patrol Room, located at the base of the Yodeler slope, is undergoing a major renovation. Useable space in the Training Center and Patrol will expand by approximately 50% and the exterior will receive a “facelift” so that it matches the beauty of the other lodges at Holiday Valley.

The major golf course renovation that began last fall is continuing, although play will not be interrupted during the summer season. Construction on holes number 12 through 17 is finished and they should be completely playable by mid-summer. This spring’s tree removal and excavation near existing number 11 tee, will make way for the new number 17 green. Work will begin this fall on numbers 1, 9, 10, 11 and 18 by adding tees, new bunkers and other interesting features.

With the meticulous care it has received, it is hard to believe that the Inn at Holiday Valley is over ten years old. Guest rooms at the Inn will be refreshed and refurbished with replacement of many of the soft goods like bedcovers and drapes.

To serve the ever growing diversities of Holiday Valley skiers and riders, terrain features will be expanded with some low rails and jumps. Our Head Park Ranger and Mountain Operations Manager attended Mt. Hood’s “Cutters Camp”, a week long training session for terrain park designers and groomers. Stay tuned for information on what they learned and other improvements they're planning for the parks and half pipe. We're also making a cut from the west side of the top of Cindy's Run to the base of Foxfire's headwall. This will give skiers and riders an alternate route to the halfpipe that is a bit less difficult than the headwall of Foxfire.

Two new web cams will be added to the Holiday Valley web site. In addition to the existing web cam at the Clubhouse, plans are to install one new camera in the Yodeler area and a second at a remote location using wireless technology. Now, visitors to holidayvalley.com will have an even better instant view of what’s happening at the Valley.

Over 50 additional items make up the balance of the projects that will be completed by the start of next winter season. According to Eshbaugh, “Continual improvement to our resort is vital to our success. Our customers have come to expect the best and we do our best to exceed those expectations.” See you on the slopes!

For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com