Green Peak Trail Clearing Complete at Waterville Valley

Green Peak Trail Clearing Complete at Waterville Valley

Excavation is now taking place.

Sunday, September 25, 2016, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com

After nearly a month of logging operations, the initial Green Peak terrain clearing has been completed at Waterville Valley. With ground frost right around the corner, attention has turned to excavating the new trails and lift line. Thus far, the new novice terrain has been smoothed and hayed.

Meanwhile, demolition of the Competition Center is nearing completion with only concrete and rebar remaining. The building site will be the location of the base terminal for the relocated World Cup Triple. Holes are now being dug for the upper lift footings.

While the World Cup Triple towers and terminals remain standing in place, the towers were recently painted and priming of the base terminal is taking place. The chairs and haul rope were removed earlier in the summer.

First approved by the United States Forest Service in 2013, the $2 million Green Peak project will add 10 trails spanning 45 acres. The World Cup Triple will be relocated and installed on the new peak by SkyTrans. Originally a 1986 Albertsson-Stadeli installation, the lift was rebuilt with a new drive and line equipment by Doppelmayr in 2000. The Green Peak installation is expected to be 4,380 feet long by 1,011 feet vertical.

While the trails and lift are being advertised as opening this winter, it is not known if snowmaking will be installed in time for the ski season. Existing snowmaking pipe and hydrants remain in place, now in the middle of expanded terrain. According to the Alteration of Terrain permit, no additional snowmaking water withdrawal will be allowed with the current expansion project.