Victory Ranch’s Park City ski-in/ski-out members clubhouse, 875 Main, will soon be at the base of the largest ski area in the country. Operator Vail Resorts announced Monday that it is investing $50 million in improvements for the 2015-2016 season and will unite the two resorts for a total of 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. The resort will operate under one name, Park City Mountain Resort, with Canyons base area renamed “Canyons at Park City.”
Heralded as one of the largest capital programs to affect the U.S ski industry, the plan will see chairlifts updated, dining experiences added and enhanced, and a number of upgrades to the infrastructure of both resorts. The plan will be subject to approval by both Summit County and the City of Park City. A few highlights of the improvement plan include:
Connected to the Action
The Interconnect Gondola is an eight passenger, high speed two-way gondola that will be the opening access to a number of trails between Park City and Canyons. The Gondola travels from the base of the existing Silverlode Lift at Park City to the Flatiron Lift at Canyons. The Interconnect will allow visitors the opportunity to ski into Thaynes Canyons at Park City via gated ski access or to the Iron Mountain area at Canyons through new trails that will be created from Pine Cone Ridge.
The King Con and Motherlode Lifts Get Updated
Popular ski lifts will see new life in an effort to reduce crowding and lift lines and improve the guest experience. The King Con Lift will be upgraded from a four-person to a six-person, high-speed detachable chairlift. The Motherlode Lift will be upgraded from a fixed-grip triple to a four-person, high-speed detachable chairlift. Both lifts will increase chair capacity.
A New Elevated Dining Experience
The current plan reveals the construction of a brand new Snow Hut restaurant at the base of the Silverlode Lift and the nearby Park City access to the Interconnect gondola. The Snow Hut is expected to provide a top of the line culinary experience with room to hold an impressive 500 indoor seats. Additional improvements will be made for a better dining experience at the Summit House, with improved flow for guests. At Canyons, the Red Pine Restaurant will be renovated to accommodate an additional 250 indoor seats.
New Snowmaking Technology
The plan will also provide the Iron Mountain area of Canyons with snowmaking technology to ensure there is always fresh powder for skiers and snowboarders. Additional snowmaking will be placed on two trails in the Iron Mountain area of Canyons which will increasingly become a central ski destination given its proximity to the Interconnect Gondola.
