The resort plans to offer early season skiing and riding on Wednesday only. Lift access on Halloween will likely begin between 10 a.m. and noon and continue until 3 p.m. The Halloween start to the season is the earliest skiing offered at Sunday River in 11 years. Snowmaking operations will continue as temperatures allow throughout the coming weeks.
KILLINGTON, Vt. (Winter 2007-08) – Killington Resort enters the 2007-08 ski and snowboard season with more than $5.3 million in resort improvements and new programs to enhance the overall guest experience. In addition, Killington is implementing new environmental initiatives in an effort to reduce the resort’s overall carbon footprint.
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Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – October 9, 2007 – Arapahoe Basin ski area officials announce that its opening day for the 2007-2008 ski season will be tomorrow, Wednesday, October 10, 2007. This marks Arapahoe Basin’s earliest opening in its 61 years of operation. Last year the ski area was the first to open in the nation and this year A-Basin continues that trend. |
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The Exhibition chair will open to the public at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. Skiers and riders can look forward to an 18-inch base on the intermediate High Noon run and some features in the High Divide terrain park. The will be no beginner skiing at this time. |
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New this season, A-Basin will introduce Montezuma Bowl, 400 acres of lift served groomed runs, glades, chutes and wide-open bowl skiing. The new expansion is expected to open sometime in late December, snow conditions permitting. |
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Opening day adult lift tickets will be available for $45, youth tickets age 15 - 19 will be $39 and child tickets age 6-14 will be $22. Ski and snowboard rentals, food and beverage service in the A-Frame, the 6th Alley bar and retail shop will be open to the public. Ski school lessons will begin when the Molly Hogan Learning Center opens later in November. |
Monday, October 1, 2007
Largest total capital re-investment in 10 years – Nearly $1 million dedicated to snowmaking
NEWRY, Maine (Oct. 1, 2007) – Operated by Boyne USA Resorts since the beginning of August, $4.8 million is being invested in Sunday River to upgrade the guest experience. Highlights include additional fan and low energy snowmaking equipment to build upon the Resort’s reputation for the most dependable snow in New England, installation of a new magic carpet lift to improve the learn to ski and ride experience, extensive refurbishments at both Grand Resort Hotels and the Snow Cap Inn and Ski Dorm, plus new resort ticketing systems that will speed guest check in and access to slopes.
Total spending at the Resort is the highest since 1997 when the Jordan Grand Resort Hotel was built and the Perfect Turn Express Quad was installed. The $4.8 million spent this year does not include the $2.5 million spent to repair damage done to Resort property as a result of the July flash floods that stuck the Resort and surrounding community.
“We already have the reputation for top quality snow, an expansive resort and a wealth of amenities, which has solidified us as a regional leader,” said Dana Bullen, general manager at Sunday River. “The improvements underway for this year will further increase our snowmaking competitive edge, especially early in the season, while enhancing the overall guest experience.”
-Nearly $1 million for Snowmaking-
Sunday River is investing heavily in the Resort’s renowned snowmaking system. Low energy snowmaking equipment continues to be a major focus in order to effectively reduce the amount of compressed air needed for snowmaking, thus reducing energy consumption, while expanding output. The Resort has purchased 25 mobile Ranger sled units, 30 Ranger head units designed to be used on Sunday River’s extensive tower gun system and 30 SV10’s, which are a new technology designed to increase low temperature production when compared to traditional low energy heads.
A fleet of 10 Boyne proprietary, high-output, energy efficient fan guns have also been purchased and numerous trails are being outfitted with the capability to power the fleet. Fan gun trails are primarily lower mountain locations that see greater skier numbers and slightly warmer temperatures. The fleet of fan guns will be used on Lower Sunday Punch, Lower Monday Mourning, the lower part of Broadway, and from the bottom of the White Heat Quad to White Cap Base Lodge. Additional fan guns are likely in coming years.
-New Lift in Learning Center-
A 500-foot Kaser magic carpet lift is replacing the handle tow in servicing Sunday River’s Sundance learning terrain. Magic carpet lifts are known for being the easiest to ride ski lifts for beginners. The new lift is located steps from the Sprint Perfect Turn Discovery Center, which is the home base for the Resort’s learn to ski and ride programs.
-Hotels and Condos-
The Jordan Grand Resort Hotel, Grand Summit Resort Hotel and slopeside condos are all receiving renovations totaling over $1.3 million including but not limited to new lobby carpeting and exterior staining at the Jordan Grand, and a new pool deck, room renovations, and new carpet in Legends Restaurant at the Grand Summit. Extensive upgrades are also on their way to the Snow Cap Inn and Ski Dorm including new mattresses, windows, televisions, lobby and room furniture, and exterior siding.
-Miscellaneous Spending-
Three new Bison by Prinoth 355 horsepower grooming machines will replace older models for the coming year. These models offer more power with fewer emissions than the retiring grooming machines. New snowmobiles and a new resort shuttle are also being purchased.
Bathrooms at South Ridge and the Peak Lodge are being renovated and new carpeting is on the way to the Barker Pub.
Additional spending is occurring to change ticketing and tracking systems over to those used by Boyne USA Resorts along with numerous other behind-the-scenes projects associated with the change in ownership, which occurred in August.
In concert with the change in ownership is a working relationship with West Vancouver, British Columbia based firm Envisioning + Storytelling that has been contracted to assist in building a long term actionable vision for the Resort that will be mutually beneficial to the Resort, the guests, the community, and property owners.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
NEWRY, MAINE and BOSTON, MASS. (Sept. 25, 2007) – The final home series of the regular season versus the Minnesota Twins is being sponsored by Maine’s Sunday River Ski Resort and attendees of Thursday night’s game will each be offered a free ticket courtesy of the Resort. Approximately 35,000 lift tickets will be distributed.
Boyne USA Resorts, based in Michigan, recently added Sunday River and two additional New England resorts to their nationwide network. Boston College graduate and Boyne USA President of Eastern Operations Stephen Kircher will be throwing out the first pitch at Thursday Night’s game.
As a perennial favorite of Boston skiers and riders, Sunday River is also a sponsor of Boston College football including the upcoming game against UMass on Saturday. The Parents Weekend game will also be a site of additional lift ticket giveaways.
“Sunday River is where Boston hits the slopes,” said Dana Bullen, general manager at Sunday River. “We’re under new ownership and we’re coming down to the city to start getting our guests in the mood to ski. The leaves have changed in the mountains and snowmaking is just weeks away.”
Sunday River is located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains. A true four-season destination, the Resort offers eight interconnected peaks of world class skiing and snowboarding, two Grand Resort Hotels and golf at the acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. Sunday River is a member of the Boyne USA Resorts family of resorts and attractions
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Current passholders for the coming year at any of the three resorts will have the option to upgrade to the New England Pass
NEWRY, MAINE (Sept. 20, 2007) – With the total of Boyne USA Resort’s eastern properties now at three following the announcement that the Michigan based operator will add Loon Mountain to their nationwide network of resorts, the trio of Boyne’s New England resorts have announced that a new combined season pass offering will be available prior to the winter season. The New England Pass is coming.
“These are three of New England’s premier resorts on one pass,” said Stephen Kircher, president of Boyne USA Resorts’ eastern operations. “The passholder benefits at our western stable of resorts are also head and shoulders above what our competition is offering.”
The New England Pass will be a tiered season pass with three levels that will be valid at Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. The Bronze Pass will be $369 and will be an all ages pass valid midweek non-holiday. The Silver New England Pass will be $699 and will be an all ages pass valid seven days a week with 12 blackout dates on holidays and select Saturdays. The Gold New England Pass will be valid every day of the season and will range from $499 for seniors to $899 for adults.
A New England College Pass valid at all three resorts will also be available starting at $329. All rates are valid if purchased by Nov. 30. The pass is expected to go on sale in late September or early October.
Skiers and riders who already hold a pass valid for the coming year at any of the three resorts will have the option to upgrade to a New England Pass. More information will be available prior to when the pass goes on sale at www.sundayriver.com, www.sugarloaf.com, and www.loonmtn.com.
Guests who purchase or upgrade to a New England Pass will receive additional benefits including free or discounted skiing at Boyne USA resorts in the U.S. and Canada including Big Sky in Montana, Brighton in Utah, Crystal Mountain and Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington, Boyne Mountain and Boyne Highlands in Michigan, and Cypress Mountain in British Columbia.
Sunday River is located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains. A true four-season destination, the Resort offers eight interconnected peaks of world class skiing and snowboarding, two Grand Resort Hotels and golf at the acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. Sunday River is a member of the Boyne USA Resorts family of resorts and attractions.
Boyne USA Resorts Announces Coast-To-Coast Expansion Acquisitions Expected to Increase Company Skier Days to 3.6 Million
September 19 , 2007
Boyne Falls, Mich., September 19, 2007 - Backed by nearly 60 years of family run resort experience, Boyne USA Resorts is excited to announce its nationwide expansion reinforcing the Michigan-based corporation's position as the largest family owned four-season resort company in North America and owner/operator of more ski resorts than any other in the United States. Aided by a partnership with CNL Income Properties, Inc., Boyne USA's ski resort portfolio will become the third largest in North America and boasts 10 resort locations operating in Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, Washington and British Columbia with a combined skier count of approximately 3.6 million.
The expansion allows Boyne USA to further its existing geographic and economic diversity in the winter sports industry, starting in the '50s when the company built the Gatlinburg Sky Lift in Tennessee and in earnest with the 1976 purchase of Big Sky Resort in Montana.
With today's announcement of the pending addition of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc.'s ("Booth Creek") Loon Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie resorts to its network, Boyne USA Resorts is building upon its inaugural entry into the long contemplated New England market that began last month with the addition of American Skiing Company's Sunday River and Sugarloaf resorts in Maine. Boyne USA has signed a contract with Booth Creek which at closing will transfer the management of Loon Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie to Boyne USA. In addition to furthering entry into the New England market, this transaction will reinforce Boyne USA's commitment in the Pacific Northwest, with three resorts in that region.
The Boyne USA Resorts team, headed by the Kircher family, is proud of its record as longest running management within the mountain resort industry and believes that with its experienced team of over 7,000 passionate individuals, the organization is in a strong position to take on these new properties.
"By bringing almost 60 years of experience in resort and ski area management and building upon the best of American Skiing Company's and Booth Creek's accomplishments, we are confident that we will continue to be a very positive force in this industry," said Stephen Kircher, president of Boyne USA Resorts, eastern operations. "These are exciting times to be part of this team."
Boyne USA executives and their resort-based management teams have already begun mapping the endless possibilities related to resort facility and amenity improvements as well as value creation programs for the many loyal customers of these resorts.
"Boyne USA's history of innovation as well as making continuous improvements at our resorts will continue with these newly acquired facilities," said John Kircher, president of Boyne USA Resorts, western operations and based in the Seattle area since 1996. "Our experience has proven that a long-term vision and financial commitment to a resort is needed, which we are confident CNL and Boyne USA provide. Our understanding and love of the sport, which in our case, goes back to 1947, is one significant factor that drives us to make the facilities we own or manage even better. Keeping our customers happy means reinvesting in the property and creating the expectation of something new each season," added John Kircher.
"From our proprietary Boyne low-e snowmaking technologies, commitment to superior guest satisfaction, passion to build innovative new facilities and amenities, offerings like our BoyneRewards loyalty program, and our unique coast-to-coast season passes, we anticipate making a very positive impact on the entire resort network, its customers and its communities," said Stephen Kircher. "These additions are a continuation of our strategy reinforcing Boyne USA's overall goal of becoming the best four-season resort company in the world by 2015."
About Boyne USA Resorts:
Boyne USA Resorts is the largest family owned four-season resort company in North America; founded by Everett Kircher in 1947. A Michigan-based corporation, Boyne USA Resorts owns and/or operates award-winning mountain and golf resorts and attractions throughout the United States and Canada including Cypress Mountain near Vancouver, British Columbia, a host venue of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Big Sky Resort in Montana, Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, The Inn at Bay Harbor - A Renaissance Golf Resort and Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark in Michigan, Brighton in Utah, Crystal Mountain in Washington, Sugarloaf/USA and Sunday River Resort in Maine and Gatlinburg Sky Lift in Tennessee. For more information on Boyne USA Resorts, please visit www.boyneusaresorts.com.
