MORE SNOW WITH LESS ENERGY TOPS LIST OF 2008-2009 IMPROVEMENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mount Sunapee Resort
Newbury, NH
Bruce McCloy, Director of Marketing and Sales
(603) 763-3500 or bmccloy@mtsunapee.com

Newbury, NH – (September, 2008) – More efficient snowmaking production tops the list of improvements for 2008–2009 at Mount Sunapee. Thanks to recent advances in snowmaking technology, resorts are able to continue to make more snow each winter with less energy. Mount Sunapee is purchasing 30 more highly efficient snow guns from HKD for the upcoming season.

These 30 snow guns, along with 18 purchased last year, can produce the same amount of snow in temperatures above 25 degrees (which are common during early season snowmaking) as older, less-efficient guns, while using only 12-25% as much compressed air per gun. These guns will continue to reduce the resort’s reliance on diesel air compressors and will reduce the total amount of air required during optimal snowmaking conditions. Mount Sunapee’s electrical KWH consumption is down almost 10% over the past two winters. Diesel fuel consumption is down almost 15% over the past two years.

Mount Sunapee is rolling out two new products this winter for grandparents and college graduates.

Baby boomers, who have been the mainstay of the ski and snowboard industry for the past 20 years, are starting to have grandchildren that are old enough to ski and snowboard. As baby boomers retire or semi-retire, they will have the time, means, and passion for the sport to want to take the grandchildren skiing or snowboarding. Anyone 60 or over who purchases a full-price full-day ticket can bring a grandchild (ages 6-18) for half price. This offer is not valid during holiday periods and is limited to one grandchild per grandparent. 

Mount Sunapee discovered that many college students who purchase specially-priced college season passes are dropping out of the season pass market after graduation. This is understandable when you consider that they now have a full-time job and probably some college loans. The new Graduate Pass is designed to bridge the gap between college pass pricing and regular pass pricing. The Graduate Pass allows recent graduates to lock into “graduated pricing” for the next two seasons following graduation. They can enjoy unlimited skiing and riding at Mount Sunapee for $499 in the 2008–2009 season and $649 in the 2009–2010 season. A regular Mount Sunapee Peak Pass for 2008–2009 costs $899.