Hi Folks!
Thanks for logging on to Dave's blog.
I'd like to share with you information regarding some projects the Telluride Ski and Golf Company is implementing to prepare for your arrival this ski season.
First off, we have purchased three new Prinoth snowcats. Two of them are called BR 350s and one is called a Sherpa Winchcat (which is a BR 350 designed to groom very steep slopes utilizing a built-in winch / cable system). Historically, Telluride has had a fleet of Piston Bully snowcats. We're very excited to introduce the Prinoth brand to the fleet - I'm positive you will notice an improved grooming surface this season.
Here's a picture of a BR 350 Sherpa winch cat. If you look closely, you can see the cable coming out of the black boom in front of the windshield. The cable is attached to a tower at the top of the run which we call a "pick point". The winch and cable assists the cat when climbing runs otherwise too steep to climb:
Here is another picture of the Sherpa working a steep slope:
Prinoth has the finest tiller design in the world (in my humble opinion). It will flex in the middle to naturally follow the contour of the slope and has hydraulic "wing finishers" to blend each pass the cat makes:
The Prinoth BR 350s are also equipped with "Terrain Master" blades which are designed with a high degree of lift for building freestyle terrain features easily:
The Prinoth BR350, even without the winch, can climb steeper slopes easily because the engine is center mounted which applies weight evenly to the tracks. This helps the operator lay down a superior ski surface efficiently and easily:
You should see the interior of these machines... They are like the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise. Great visibility, rotating seats for backing up, excellent sound system, heated mirrors, heated windshield wipers, controls in view of the operator, and more:
These tracks are designed to climb but not leave "track marks" on the snow. See the hydraulic wing finisher on the tiller in the back:
MMMMmmmm, perfect cordory:
Also, we are installing a significant amount of underground snowmaking pipe. This project is replacing older pipe which was leaking, increasing the diameter from 4" to 8" for additional capacity, and adding distribution areas. The project is serving the Meadows run under the Chondola as well as the Misty Maiden run under Chair 4. We also purchased 3 new SMI Super Wizard fan guns.
Here the crews are installing high-pressure water and air lines on Misty Maiden:
Here is a picture of a state-of-the-art SMI Super Wizard in action:
These machines build "whales" in no time. They are later spread over a larger area by snowcat:
We're also installing a new Magic Carpet conveyor lift just below the top of the Chondola. Here is what one looks like without snow:
These "conveyor lifts" are great for kids:
We're also remodeling and converting a small cabin the ski company owns into a new high-country wine bar. The beautiful Tyrolean architecture stone cabin is located on an old mining claim at 12,000' elevation just off the See Forever run near the top of Gold Hill.
We're constructing a new sundeck on the front of the cabin so our guests can soak up the sun and the incredible views of the San Juan peaks in the spring. It will be similar to what you might imagine to find in the Italian Alps along the ski slopes of the Dolomites - or in the heart of the Swiss Alps. The new wine bar is appropriately named Alpino Vino. It was formerly called the Trommer cabin.
I think it's safe to say that Alpino Vino will be the highest and most unique wine bar in North America. We will serve high-end wines, gourmet soups, ante pasta plates with wonderful soft and hard cheeses, fine meats, rustic mustards, crusty artisan breads, and marinated stuffed olives - all around a stone fireplace. You can even pull your boots off and crawl up into the romantic loft to settle into a fluffy bean bag and relax.
Here is a picture of Alpino Vino. The deck will be replaced and enlarged this fall:
There are dozens of other projects which are designed to help our staff provide you with an exceptional experience this winter.
All this combined with our announcement to open the new high-alpine expert hike-to-ski area (Black Iron Bowl) means Telluride is the place to be this season!
As the aspen trees begin to turn yellow and the evenings turn to frost, winter is right around the corner. We look forward to hosting you this season!
Kindest regards,
Dave
P.S. Please feel free to post a comment - we love to hear from you!
P.P.S The pictures above are taken from equipment supplier's websites - full disclosure :)