Hunter Mountain Undergoes Major Upgrades Ahead of 2024-25 Ski Season

Photos submitted by Hunter Mountain

HUNTER – Hunter Mountain, now under the ownership of Vail Resorts, is undergoing significant upgrades this summer as part of a major capital improvement project aimed at enhancing the ski resort's offerings for the upcoming 2024-25 winter season. The centerpiece of these efforts is the replacement of the resort’s B Lift, known as “Broadway,” with a state-of-the-art, high-speed detachable six-person lift, aptly named the Broadway Express. The new lift, built by Leitner-Poma, promises to drastically improve the skier experience, providing faster and more efficient access to the mountain's intermediate terrain.

The existing B Lift, a fixed-grip quad, will be relocated to replace the current Lift-E, a fixed-grip double, ensuring that even more of the resort's terrain is accessible via modern lift technology. But the lift upgrades are just the beginning of the improvements at Hunter Mountain.

Vail Resorts is also making significant investments in the resort's snowmaking capabilities. Courtney Difiore, Vail Resorts' Northeast Senior Communications Manager, shared details about the enhancements: “Here’s a few details regarding the automated snowmaking upgrade - on Belt Parkway, we’re adding 70 automated hydrants using existing HKD guns; on Way Out, we’ve added 33 automated hydrants and new HKD guns; and on Claire’s Way, we’ve added 36 automated hydrants and new HKD guns. In total, we are adding 141 automated snow guns to the lineup, 70 of which on the Belt Parkway will use existing HKD guns with upgraded automated hydrants.”

Difiore further elaborated on the benefits of the snowmaking upgrades, noting that the new HKD auto hydrants “improve snowmaking utility and efficiency by over 200% when compared to traditional hydrants and hoses. These gains are exponential when facing multiple starts and stops due to challenging weather patterns. By investing in cutting-edge, energy-efficient technology, we're not only meeting the demands of our dynamic weather but also setting a new standard for sustainability in the industry, and we’re really excited to show guests what the Snowmaking Capital of the World can do this winter.”

The lift upgrades are progressing smoothly, according to Difiore. “We're in great shape. Months of planning goes into lift projects, and the Hunter Mountain team started both Epic Lift Upgrades at the end of our 2023/24 winter season when snow was still on the ground. We’ve removed chairs from the line, de-tensioned the lifts, removed the haul ropes, and flew out all the lift cross arms and towers. More recently, we’ve dug the old lift tower bases out and started installing new lift line tower bases. The new Broadway Express top and bottom terminals have been placed, and this weekend, the helicopter will be back for its final Hunter flight as we install the new lift towers.” Vail is using a company called 

Local skiers and snowboarders are excited about the improvements, especially those who have been waiting for Vail Resorts to invest in the mountain. “As a local who frequents the mountain often, this is fantastic news for everyone,” remarked one frequent visitor. “I've heard murmurings of ‘When is Vail going to sink some money into Hunter?’ from a few folks. Well, it seems the answer is this summer.”

Town Supervisor Sean Mahoney was given a guided tour of the ongoing construction and was impressed with the progress. “I had an amazing time on a guided tour with this incredible crew, checking out all the new upgrades at Hunter today. The progress and scope of work is truly impressive! As a resident and elected official, I’m excited for what this means for our town and Hunter Mountain, but as a ski patroller and someone who grew up on this mountain, I can’t wait to put my skis on and experience it myself.”

These developments are a continuation of Hunter Mountain's long-standing tradition of innovation and leadership in the ski industry. Since its opening 65 years ago on January 9, 1960, with the original B Lift in operation, the resort has been a pioneer in snowmaking and lift technology. Hunter was the first ski resort in New York to install snowmaking, the first in the world to feature top-to-bottom snowmaking with 100% coverage, and the first in the U.S. to install an automated snowmaking system.

As Hunter Mountain prepares for the 2024-25 season, the combination of the new Broadway Express lift, the relocation of Lift-E, and the substantial snowmaking upgrades is set to elevate the experience for both beginners and advanced skiers alike. With these enhancements, Hunter Mountain is poised to continue its legacy as a premier destination for skiers and riders, offering even more reasons to visit this winter.

As Difiore aptly put it, “We’re really excited to run the lifts this winter for the team and guests to enjoy."