Vermont Business Magazine New trails for Stratton’s Mountain Bike Park lead the list of 2020-21 capital projects, which together will total $10 million.
A new event venue, employee housing, additional parking, enhancements to the overall guest experience, and planning for future projects are also on the docket. In year three as a member of the Alterra Mountain Company family of destinations, the capital investment for Stratton now totals over $30 million.
Phase two of the mountain bike park build begins this summer. Together with Sinuosity, a Vermont-based company known for sustainable design, Stratton will add variety with six new trails to complement last season’s eight downhill trails.
Highlights include a hand-cut single track which is a tighter trail that pushes the rider’s technical skill in wooded areas. Stratton is also adding its first black diamond trail that features steeper, faster terrain, rock drops, roots, larger jumps and tighter turns.
Sinuosity plans to round out the build with a flow/jump trail. Built with progression in mind, this trail will feature larger jumps and tabletops to push riders looking for air, but will also include “go-arounds” and smaller jump options, allowing riders to build their skills and confidence, and work towards hitting the larger features in the bike park.
Sinuosity plans to make refinements to some phase one trails, including rerouting the first two berms on Trail 1 to take away the intimidation factor when dropping in for the first time. Adding black diamond terrain, while rerouting beginner trails, adds progressive variation in the bike park, accommodating everyone from first-time riders to trail veterans.
Also included in the capital improvement plan is a new lake house venue located on Stratton Mountain Lake at the Stratton Golf Course. This new building will be home to weddings, corporate outings, family retreats and more, as a scenic summertime venue nestled in the Green Mountains.
In addition to new mountain bike terrain and an outdoor summer concert series, Stratton offers a 27-hole golf course, tennis school, wedding venues, corporate retreats, kid’s camps, hiking, fitness classes, yoga, and mountain bike lessons in the summer.
Alterra Mountain Company today announced its plans to invest $223 million in capital improvements across its 15 North American mountain destinations for the upcoming year, continuing the company’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience.
This year’s $223 million plan includes $50 million for base area facility development, $48 million towards new lifts and upgrades, expanded terrain, and state-of-the-art snowmaking, $30 million in technology including Ikon Pass and destination app development and data utilization, $27 million toward enhancing base area and on-mountain dining experiences, and $7 million towards various summer and winter activity investments.
“Three years ago, when we formed Alterra Mountain Company, an initial priority was to commit to investing a half a billion dollars by 2023 across our family of North American destinations,” said Rusty Gregory, CEO, Alterra Mountain Company. “To date, we have invested more than $350 million and are committed to exceeding our original plan, spending $575 million by 2020 on lifts and gondolas, snowmaking, summer activities, real estate development, hospitality and technology, all in the name of creating memories for our guests through an elevated mountain experience.”
Alterra Mountain Company has placed the utmost of attention and detail to capital improvements at Stratton Resort. Year one brought the new Snow Bowl lift, opening quicker access to the west side terrain on the mountain. Year two brought mountain biking and 12,000 feet of snowmaking pipe for the learning area, which was also redesigned to enhance the beginner ski and snowboard experience.
About Stratton Mountain
Located just four hours from New York City and three from Boston, Stratton is a premier New England mountain destination with 99 trails fanning from the summit of southern Vermont’s highest peak, 95 percent snowmaking coverage, a slope-side Village for shopping and dining plus a range of accommodations. Recognized as the first major resort to welcome snowboarding, Stratton has offered an extraordinary ski experience since 1961, adding year-round activities in 1964 with a Geoffrey Cornish designed golf course that played host to six LPGA tournaments. Today, a range of activities, events, adventure challenges and live music make Stratton a popular year-round destination.
Source: STRATTON MOUNTAIN, VT-3.10.2020 www.stratton.com.