Stratton Mountain Resort Completing $8.9 Million In Capital Improvements For 2022-202
Stratton Mountain is investing $8.9 million in capital improvements for the 2022-2023 season, enhancing multiple facets of the guest and employee experience, beginning with new mountain bike trails for summer 2022. Construction commenced as work crews started breaking ground in various locations around the resort as early as April once the winter season concluded and the final chair came around the bullwheel.
The Stratton Bike Park will be adding five additional trails, with the help of Sinuosity Flowing Trails, this season to bring the total trail count to 16 designated mountain biking routes on the mountain. This includes the newly designed trail “Paper Route” stretching 1.23 miles into the Snow Bowl area, and the 1-mile multi-directional “Bear’s Den” connecting the Bike Park to the Sun Bowl area. A skills park, Kick Start, is the newest addition to the main base area. Kick Start will also be the home for Stratton Mountain Sports School’s MTB Lessons with ideal terrain to promote proper technique, practice braking, cornering, riding rollers and jumping, and educate proper trail etiquette and safety before heading up American Express and dropping in.
Sinuosity is completing regular spring trail maintenance in the Stratton Bike Park, now in season four, of the 10 existing downhill trails and one uphill trail. Favorites like Bermie Sanders and Gravitas are getting dialed in for bike season. Hit the trails as often as you please with the all new 2022 Stratton Bike Park Season Pass. Enjoy unlimited access to the park including green, blue, and black trails for all ability levels.
The Stratton Golf Course has completed a total parking lot resurfacing and paving project. In total 45,000 square feet of the Stratton Golf Club parking lot and drop-off loop have been ripped up and resurfaced with crushed gravel and new blacktop. When traveling along the Lake and Mountain courses, you will notice a total of 3800 linear feet of newly surfaced cart paths in sections on both courses. These enhancements ensure that the 27-hole Geoffrey Cornish-designed golf course maintains its championship level condition.
Equipment upgrades have been purchased for the golf course including a Toro 684 aerifier and Toro 3150-Q green mower for advanced green maintenance resulting in consistent greens speeds across all three courses. A John Deere tractor has also been purchased to have a more uniform stand of rough, and decrease the time needed to cut. A tractor mounted Agrimetal turbine blower has been purchased to remove grass clippings, debris, leaves, and other unwanted organic materials from the course for an increased level of course play and appearance.
Stratton Mountain is continuing its annual investment in snowmaking infrastructure upgrades including a new switchgear in the Energy Center for increased power transmission, new pumps, motors, valves and hydrants as well as snowmaking pipe replacements and maintenance. All new energy-efficient HKD Impulse R5 snowmaking guns have been purchased and are being installed on Polar Bear and various other trails to update the mountain’s snow gun technology in a continued partnership with Efficiency Vermont. All lifts are on schedule to receive annual periodic maintenance with the replacement of various mechanical and electrical components.
A new Prinoth Bison XW Stage 5 snowcat has been purchased for winter 22-23. This versatile winch snowcat joins the powerful pack of ‘cats leading the charge in east coast grooming. The Bison XW comes complete with 3,300 ft of winch line, boasting an impressive 10,600 lbs. of pull force, allowing cat drivers to clip in and lay down the perfect shoulder-to-shoulder corduroy on the steepest of Stratton’s trails in variable conditions. This machine meets with highest emissions standards in the world: Euromot Stage V. The Caterpillar straight-six engine produces 422 hp/310 kW and an impressive maximum torque up to 1,900 Nm while an exhaust treatment system with SCR catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter reduces emission to a minimum. These upgrades make the Bison XW the cleanest snow groomer in its class.
Other resort capital projects include a commitment to the employee experience with a $20 an hour starting wage for most non-tipped and non-incentivized positions coming for winter 22-23. Three new public resort transportation buses and two new shuttle buses for the Black Bear Lodge have been purchased to enhance inter-resort travel. The summit Ski Patrol building is getting remodeled with plans for new siding and interior renovations. Work was completed on the pool and roof at the Stratton Training and Fitness Center, as well as other interior renovations. The MOOver will be returning for winter 22-23 as a free public transit system, connecting Stratton Mountain Resort to the Manchester area, with daily shuttle service increasing mountain access. Capital Improvements reflect Stratton Mountain’s commitment to continue enhancing the guest and employee experience by reinvesting in the mountain community across all facets of our business.
