Guests of Whiteface understand it’s a special place. One that’s not only launched the dreams of many athletes, including Olympians, but also served the multitudes as an exciting destination for recreational skiing and riding at every level. The mountain’s diverse terrain and programs nurture their enthusiasm, skills, and sense of adventure. And to carry on that remarkable legacy, the crew is working diligently this summer on a number of important projects from ongoing maintenance to facility upgrades.
Among the key upgrades is building a beautiful new patio outside the Bear Den Learning Center. Complete with environmentally friendly in-ground heating, the patio will provide guests at this increasingly popular lodge expansive spaces for coming together, dining, watching family members learn to ski and ride, and simply enjoying the mountain.
Over the years, snowmaking has been a big part of Whiteface upgrades, as it has been for all three mountains. Innovations and new equipment continually boosts the power of the system to keep the mountain’s vast trail network in great shape throughout its lengthy season. This year is no different.
New pipe and high efficiency tower guns are being installed on the ever popular Mackenzie and Wilderness trails and on Upper Parkway. Plus, a new Snowmax injection system is being installed to further boost snowmaking capabilities across the mountain in warmer temperatures. Basic but important maintenance and improvements are also being made to Whiteface’s Pumphouse 1 to facilitate improved snowmaking operations throughout the ski season.
Additionally, the Cloudsplitter Gondola received a new haul rope, installed early this summer. That’s the incredibly long and weighty steel cable that lifts the gondola cabins reliably up the mountain hour after hour, day after day through all seasons. And finally, the addition of a new winch-ready PistonBully 600 Snow Cat will help the grooming crew ensure even the steepest trails are ready each morning for fun and adventure.
It is these and many other similar upgrades and improvements each summer that ensure Whiteface remains a treasured winter destination for multitudes of recreational skiers and riders at all levels.