Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening

Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening. Photo: Fortress Mountain Ski Resort.

Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening

From Rocky Mountain Outlook.

According to its redevelopment plan, Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is on the road to open by December 2020.

The resort has received approval from Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) last spring, to replace its potable water system and refurbish a sewer line. The company is hoping to complete this $4 million project this spring and if receiving the OK from AEP, they will begin constructing a new day log and lift system this summer.

Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening. Photo: Fortress Mountain Ski Resort.
Fortress Mountain Ski Resort is eyeing a 2020 opening. Photo: Fortress Mountain Ski Resort.

Located 30 km south of Nakiska Ski Area on Highway 40, the resort has been closed since 2004. Today, KPOW cat skiing operates at the resort and they have been doing so since 2011.

Some private investors have been getting together for this plan and Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners have created a master plan.

On its first phase, the plan will make use of the resort’s existing ski terrain and refurbish five chairlifts. Many of the lifts will also be realigned to improve the resort’s fall line for a total lift capacity of 2,500 skiers.

This first part of the plan includes a building of 36,000 square feet that will be used as a day lodge at the base of the resort that will contain tickets, rentals, guest services, public toilets, lockers, ski school, a restaurant and a bar. The resort will install a magic carpet for beginners and a tube park for enthusiasts.

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Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

Pods from Pangea Pod Hotel. Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

So you always wanted to ski in Whistler, but when looking at rooms rates you’ve thought you are out of money as you are on a budget? Look again, now with the Pangea Pod Hotel you can afford to stay in Whistler in budget and in style.

The Pangea Pod Hotel has opened its doors in Whistler, BC, Canada, on August 2018. It has revolutionised the hospitality industry by bringing chic and price-conscious solo accommodation to one of North America’s top tourist destinations.

Exterior of the Pangea Pod Hotel. Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?
Exterior of the Pangea Pod Hotel. Wanting to Ski in Whistler but on a Budget? Why not stay at the Pangea Pod Hotel?

The first hotel of its kind in Canada, Pangea’s rooms will, at most, cost half the price of a conventional hotel room, and usually far less. This new style of accommodation will make the resort more accessible to solo and budget travellers wishing to experience all that Whistler has to offer.

Husband-and-wife team Russell and Jelena Kling spent several years traversing the globe, garnering first-hand experience about what makes for a comfortable and satisfying stay. Loosely inspired by Tokyo’s capsule hotels, Pangea, located in the heart of Whistler Village, is the result of three years of planning and prototype development.

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What is New at Les 2 Alpes this season.

Winter at Les 2 Alpes. Photo Nils Louna - Les 2 Alpes. Skiing amongst friends. What is New at Les 2 Alpes this season.

What is New at Les 2 Alpes this season – Les 2 Alpes season is well underway and the resort will be opened until 27th April 2019. This young, dynamic and international resort has guaranteed snow with ski-in/ski-out accommodation. Located at 1650 m with slopes from 1300 m to 3600, it offers a great vertical drop of 3000 m. Les Deux Alpes is home to 2,100 inhabitants, 3,000 seasonal workers and 29,265 tourist beds. The French make more than half its clientele, with 55.9% total visits while Britain is the leading non-French source of guests with 18.8% visits. This is followed up by Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic and Canada.

These tourist beds include 29 hotels, with two 4-star, eight 3-star, eight 2-star hotels amongst others.

Winter in Les 2 Alpes. Photo b Yoann Peisin. Les 2 Alpes. What is New at Les 2 Alpes this season.
Winter in Les 2 Alpes. Photo b Yoann Peisin. Les 2 Alpes. What is New at Les 2 Alpes this season.

To get to Les 2 Alpes you can go by plane to Grenoble Alpes Isère airport (1h30m away), Lyon Saint Exupėry (2 hours) or Geneva airport (2h30m away). If you come by train, from Grenoble train station, it is one hour by car or 1h30 m by bus.

What is new in terms of investment and future projects:

A number of these long-term development projects have started in May 2018. Les 2 Alpes is positioning as benchmark and market leader amongst French ski resorts. Over the next five years, Les 2 Alpes’ large-scale projects represent an investment of almost 500 million Euros (ski lifts, ski run equipment, expanding the artificial snow cover, leisure properties and public infrastructure).

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Snowpine Lodge Set to Open January 30, 2019

Snowpine Lodge Final Render. Credit: Snowpine Lodge. Snowpine Lodge Set to Open January 30, 2019.

Snowpine Lodge Set to Open January 30, 2019.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

A major overhaul comes to Alta with the opening of the Snowpine Lodge, the first ski-in/ski-out Luxury Resort in this famous ski area in Utah.

The long-awaited opening of Snowpine Lodge in Alta, Utah is slated for January 30, 2019. The new resort, timed with the simultaneous opening of the adjacent Snowpine ski lift, will up the ante as the first ski-in/ski-out luxury resort in the historic town, known for its laid-back style, rugged terrain and abundant supply of annual powder snow.

Swen's Rendering. Credit: Snowpine Lodge. Snowpine Lodge Set to Open January 30, 2019.
Swen’s Rendering. Credit: Snowpine Lodge. Snowpine Lodge Set to Open January 30, 2019.

Alta is set within the Wasatch Mountain Range, less than 40 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah. It is known for its backcountry landscape, two mountain resorts including Alta Ski Area and Snowbird, as well as a bountiful supply of annual powder snow. Although the city was incorporated in 1970, it has lured visitors since the Silver rush in the 1800’s. Alta become a ski destination in 1938 when its first lift opened. Today, Alta remains an important piece in the development of skiing in Utah. Come the summer months, Alta’s fields flourish with wildflowers and bright blue skies. Visitors can fly-fish, mountain bike, hike and more while enjoying the scenic and diverse terrain.

Snowpine Lodge will be resurrected at the site of the original 1941 Snowpine Lodge and the site of the oldest building in Little Cottonwood Canyon dating back to the Silver rush of the 1800’s. Completely restored from the ground up, the new resort will boast 77 total accommodations including 58 rooms and suites and 19 traditional dorm-style bunk rooms. Premium Rooms include balconies with breathtaking views of the surrounding canyon, while all rooms feature premium bedding, flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, slippers and robes, mini-bar, safe and more.

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Killington will replace the North Ridge Triple Lift with a Quad Chairlift

Killington ski map. Killington will replace the North Ridge Triple Lift with a Quad Chairlift.

Killington will replace its North Ridge Triple Lift with a Quad Chairlift. They have filed paperwork with the state to replace the vintage upper mountain lift.

News from New England Ski Industry.

Killington will continue its activity of lift projects this summer, as the resort has filed with the State of Vermont a project to replace the North Ridge Triple Chairlift. This will result as per the Act 250 filed made public this week, in a Leitner Poma fixed grip quad chairlift installed along the existing line. A draft permit has been generated by the state.

Killington will replace the North Ridge Triple Lift with a Quad Chairlift.
Killington will replace the North Ridge Triple Lift with a Quad Chairlift.

The Triple North Ridge Chair was installed by Heron-Poma in 1972, with 587 feet climb in vertical drop over a run of 2,290 feet. The oldest lift in Killington, the North Ridge, is typically the first chair to open in New England’s ski season each year. But because of its high elevation, the lift construction season may be limited due to environmental issues.

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Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season

Crested Butte Mountain Resort- Vanderlinden. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season

  • Pending U.S. Forest Service approvals, the Teocalli Lift realignment and replacement will include a new fixed-grip quad chairlift increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) is excited to announce plans to replace the Teocalli Lift – a 1979 Riblet fixed-grip double chairlift – for the 2019-20 winter season, pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service. If approved, the new Teocalli Lift would be upgraded to a fixed-grip quad chairlift, increasing uphill capacity by 50 percent.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Photo: Trent Bona. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Photo: Trent Bona. Crested Butte Mountain Resort Announces Plans to Replace the Teocalli Lift for the 2019-20 Winter Season.

The proposed realignment and installation of the new lift would take place following the close of the 2018-19 winter season. Plans to realign the Teocalli Lift would shift the upper terminal closer to the top of the Red Lady Express; the lower terminal would remain in the existing location at the intersection of the Bushwacker, Gunsight Pass and Upper Conundrum trails.

The Teocalli Lift replacement would improve the on-mountain guest experience at CBMR by providing increased uphill capacity, a secondary egress to the base area from the Paradise Warming House and quick access to beginner and intermediate terrain.

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Skeetawk ski area gets funding for first ski lift

Hatcher Pass in Winter, where Skeetawk resort will be developed. Skeetawk ski area gets funding for first ski lift.

The Skeetawk ski area located in the Hatcher Pass will get funding for its first ski lift. The Skeetawk is a great area now for sledding but by Christmas next year it will have a downhill slope served by a lift.

The name Skeetawek is a phonetic spel of a Dena’ina word – Shk’ituk’t that means ‘where we slide down’ as per Louisa Branchflower, board president for Hatcher Alpine Xperience (HAX).

Amy O’Connor, the Executive Director of the non-profit group HAX in charge of building the Valley’s first downhill resort in the Mat-Su said that it will be a 1,200-foot triple chairlift with a 300+ foot of vertical drop.

Partnering with groups such as Rasmuson Foundation and the Mat-Su Health Foundation and thanks to also some private donations, HAX has got the $1.2 million it needs to purchase its first ski lift that will be put up in the next summer. The group will need $750,000 to cover installation costs.

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World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort

Big Sky Montana photo. World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort.

The world’s most technologically-advanced chairlift has debuted this past weekend at Big Sky Resort in Montana, USA.

On Saturday 15th, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Ramcharger 8, the first eight-seat chairlift in North America and the most technologically-advanced chairlift in the world, debuted at Big Sky Resort. “The upgrades unveiled today at Big Sky Resort mark a new age of lift technology in major zones of the mountain,” says Taylor Middleton, president and general manager of Big Sky Resort. Shedhorn 4, a new high-speed quad on the south face of the mountain, will also debut next week.

Big Sky Montana photo. World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort.
Big Sky Montana photo. World’s Most Technologically-Advanced Chairlift Debuted at Big Sky Resort.

A HISTORY OF FIRSTS

“Doppelmayr and Boyne Resorts have been collaborating for over 40 years, and together have introduced many firsts to the ski industry,” says Stephen Kircher, president, Boyne Resorts. Boyne Resorts’ history of innovation in the ski industry includes introducing the world’s first triple and quad chairlifts and America’s first high-speed six-place chairlift. Ramcharger 8’s installation marks the fifth historic chairlift upgrade for Boyne Resorts. “We are incredibly proud to bring the first eight-seat chairlift to North America, setting a new standard for lift technology in the world,” says Kircher.

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Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season

A skier with the Monte Cervino in its background. Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season. Photo: Enrico Romanzi. Cervinia Ski Paradise.

What is new in the Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season. Cervino Ski Paradise is comprised of 5 resorts, 3 districts and 2 nations (counting Cervinia, Zermatt and Valtournenche)

The ski lifts open early in Cervinia- by mid-October for the weekends and then they started on 27th October opening daily and they will remain opened until 5th May. This network of trails from both sides of the Monte Cervino -(or Matterhorn) allows you to never take your skis to admire the Cervino from both the Italian and Swiss sides, while being ‘captured’ to stop at any of the many rifugios for a quick warm up and to admire the views – people on both sides like to stop in Cervinia due to the rates being much cheaper in EUR than in CHF.

Fireworks with the Monte Cervino in the background. Photo Cervino Ski Paradise. Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season.
Fireworks with the Monte Cervino in the background. Photo Cervino Ski Paradise. Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season.

On top of Cervinia, Valtournenche and Zermatt, there are two other locations – Chamois, a magnificent village reached only by cable-car, and Torngon- a village that dominates the valley and is affectionately known as “pays du soleil” – or sun village. Both hamlets are more quiet, great places for families to stay and experience nature at first hand.

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What is new at La Plagne for the 2018 – 19 ski-season.

What is new at La Plagne for this coming season? La Plagne is getting ready for the 2018 – 19 ski season. Here we have a summary of what you can look for when going to La Plagne next!

Bains & Spa La Plagne

Deep Nature is opening a new 1500 m2 spa for guests of all ages in the centre of Belle Plagne. With its superb view of the mountains, it offers three different areas with a space for kids to try their first- of many, spa experiences.

La Plagne - The Vanoise Express links the 2 Massifs in a mere 4 minutes! What is new at La Plagne for the 2018 – 19 ski-season.
La Plagne – The Vanoise Express links the 2 Massifs in a mere 4 minutes! What is new at La Plagne for the 2018 – 19 ski-season.

H036 Hostels

A new hotel concept has arrived in La Plagne! The h036 in Plagne Centre will revolutionise the whole concept of room and board with this new hostel in La PLagne, a 21st century combination of a hotel and a guest house. This will be an atypical location with stylish decoration and a relaxed atmosphere where everyone will get together on the large living room, the bar or the restaurant.

This is a great value for money option where you can get lots of interactions. There are some individual and shared rooms with a range of possibilities for all budgets and lifestyles.

More info: www.h036hostels.com

La Plagne, Paradiski. What is new at La Plagne for the 2018 – 19 ski-season.
La Plagne, Paradiski. What is new at La Plagne for the 2018 – 19 ski-season.

A new look for Plagne Centre

After fully renovating its shopping gallery, now is the turn to get a new look for the entrance to Plagne Centre in order to improved guests’ reception and comfort. Place Albert Perrière is to become an animated ‘village square’ offering a dynamic and multi-service activity centre. There will be a covered bus station, the tourist office reception, a bar with panoramic views of the Mont Blanc, a 4-lane bowling alley, a natural skating rink in the winter and a Heritage and Mountain Mining exhibition room.

It took an investment of 8 Million Euros.

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