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Show Resort Gears Up for Winter Season Ahead over last year. The Resort will also sell a coupon book with 10 lift tickets for $90. Over 5000 feet of water line which serves the Summit House, has been replaced and buried 7 feet underground in order to insure adequate water. Last year, water supply to the Summit House was sporadic due to a frozen water pipe which took two and a half months to thaw. The exterior of the Summit House has been painted, as well as the Angle Station. The lodge at the base of the mountain will also receive a paint job. According to Phil Jones, there have already been a number of pre-sold ski programs, including ladies day, night programs, university student programs, and professional people programs. These various programs were offered last year, but will be expanded this season. Besides having the big racing events as last year, Park City will also feature Equitable Races. These events are similar to Nastar, but oriented toward family participation with family teams competing. Another addition to the Resort will be a ski school and information building, which will be located between the top of the gondola and Prospector Chairlift. Ski school passes will be sold in the new facility and also information provided to skiers. A sign will be near the information building, telling which ski runs and chairlifts are open. The terrain on the mountain is already being primed for snowfall. snow-fall. Brush is being mowed down and grass cut to 8 inches to provide good insulation between the ground and snow. Phil Jones said the ideal time to open would be the weekend before Thanksgiving, but that it obviously depended on weather and snow. When winter finally arrives in Park City, there's no question that the Resort will be ready for it. And it is not far off. "There's certainly all the makings for a strong season, if we get the snow," Jones said, adding "It can be a banner year." While thinking of the days ahead, Phil Jones summed-up what is probably the general feeling around town: "I feel more excited about the coming year than I normally am, because of last year. Everybody's more anxious than ever." It will not be long before Park City's ski resort is filled with skiers from the surrounding area, as well as from all over the country. Last year's lack of snow may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Phil Jones, Director of Operations at the Resort, said he thought people felt cheated out of a ski season, and were more anxious than usual to hit the slopes this year. "Last year was such a bummer. We want this year to make up for it," said Jones. Jones added that even if Park City experiences a similar year, in terms of snow depth, it would be easier this year "because we've been through it once." Weather permitting, the Resort will begin making snow within the next three weeks. The Alpine Slide is scheduled to close October 31, and Phil Jones said there would be no interference problem making snow while the Slide is still in operation. He explained that snow could be made in all other areas, uniil the slide is dismantled and taken down, allowing for the man-made snow to proceed down Payday Run. The ambience at the Resort can best be described as anxious anticipation for the upcoming ski season. Craig Badami, Marketing Director, and Laura Thomas, Assistant Marketing Director, are busy attending various ski shows all around the country. They are also examining brochures, making mak-ing sure all pertinent material is included. Park City brochures were placed inside this month's Ski Magazine, which will be sent to thousands of people around the United States. The Director of Operations told the Record he was busy making sure everything is ready for this year's ski season. "Everything that you do all year long is timed towards the opening of the season," he said, adding "I'm involved in making sure all projects are ready for winter." Skiers will find a few changes at the Resort this year. First, there is a new ski school director, Rene Farwig, who replaced Stein Eriksen. A snowmaking department has been formed. There will be 6 people working on snowmaking operations. The $175,000 to $200,000 system will be used extensively this year, Phil Jones said, mainly to insure good quality snow on all areas of the mountain. "I can see the majority of the season, using it (snowmaking system)," Jones said. Considering the large expense involved in snowmaking, the man-made snow will not be made for the sole purpose of guaranteeing guarantee-ing there is enough snow on the ground. As Jones explained, snow will be made on all "high traffic areas" of the mountain in order to secure excellent skiing conditions. "We'll do more snowmaking next year on more of the mountain," he added. Joe Malina will be in charge of snowmaking at the Resort this year. He has had 15 years experience in Eastern and Western West-ern ski resorts, Phil Jones said. The ski school will also have a different look this season. With 30 to 35 full-time instructors and approximately 60 part-time, the Resort will focus on developing a closer rapport between teacher and student. Skiers taking lessons this year will have lunch wjth their instructor, rather than split-up after the morning session. Under Rene Farwig, the ski school will also start beginning skiers on 100 centimeter skiis, and at least on the first day of instruction, use a method similar to Graduated Length Method (GLM). However, the school will not be guided strictly by GLM guidelines. Skiers will still use wide-track, independent leg action act-ion and steering. All novice skiers will meet in a "beginner's circle" the first day of instruction. Phil Jones said there will probably be 10 people or less in the circle, and as each person progresses to another level, he will be replaced by another beginner. One day ski passes have increased to $11, a $1 increase ' t ;r. . - . I , ' r 1 r ? IT r i j i,rVr " I ,-r- ' |