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Show L. - J . j , , ' I ' V l I I 1. i s'v f- - " ' ' - i : I . . . , v I e i ' ' " i' I'.,..' . : . - ".- ' - .si-.; ; .(- I- ' .' ..-! - '. ,... f . ..-"' I ' if i ( ? , ! : , -- ( I- New. Skiing, Old Prices-Park West L A ski resort nestled in Utah's Wasatch mountain range could be just another ski resort but Park West has not only made a number of changes to improve skiing on their mountain but they've stared inflation in the face by maintaining last year's lift ticket price of $11 a day. Upgrading the mountain has been the top priority at Park West. Mountain manager man-ager Wayne Ragland says the addition of the new Slaughterhouse chairlift brings Park West's total to seven lifts. The new lift creates a new advanced run called Grizzley and opens skiing at Bronco, Comanche UIBKIIUM I ill. .1 HI I Him.. HI ' -"Mil '."I- and Bush Whacker bowl as well as making the lookout-house lookout-house (cafeteria) more accessible. ac-cessible. Extensive trail clearing took place at the resort during the summer leaving resort runs freer of rocks and brush. Local skiers will notice the change immediately especially espec-ially at Dead Man's Gulch or the upper part of Wagon Trail. The commonly used cat track connecting tne base of the Short Swing lift and the base of Iron Florse lift has been replaced by creating creat-ing a bowl area accessible to skiers of all abilities. The creek run-off in that location is now underground, flowing through a newly installed culvert pipe. In addition to continued imporvement of the ski patterns at Park West the resort also sees a gondola in its future to carry skiers to higher elevations and enable the resort to open earlier and end later. For now, Park West claims to offer advantages to skiers that many other resorts can't offer. The lift price is currently unbeatable and Ragland says, "you can avoid long lift lines" in addition to enjoying a number num-ber of services. One of those services is the ski school. "No matter what m 1 skiing ability you presently hold, there is always room for improvement," says Park West Ski School Director Doug Harmon. Park West employs the American Teaching Method in combination combi-nation with the Graduated Length Method of teaching. "Learning to ski doesn't have to be a painful and a cold experience anymore," says Harmon. Park West's "Learn to Ski" programs are again being offered this year to skiers of all ages and abilities. Lessons are taught at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily with private lessons also available. Park West can also s - , i J; . ' i ?, i 'v- v.-.-. i? : IV' 9' i x t - i :t , . f -S ' ; ; - ' ' : ' . i I , , ' , v " I I V , . - ' '- - i i " - is ' I I" ' S ' . -.. " . - - - . - -" tr provide evening lessons by appointment. facers can take advantage of NASTAR clinics which will include "gate running skills" in addition to two new programs at the resort. "Star Test" is a pngram used in Europe bur only recently developed for use in the U.S. The program enables skiers to put their skills to a test and possibly achieve a bronze, silver or gold medal. The U.S. program is sponsored spon-sored by Michelobe Light, the Professional Ski Instructors Instruc-tors of America and Skiing Magazine. "Mountain Tours" is the second new program and is aimed toward skiers who want to improve their skills but not necessarily through a group lesson. A new approach ap-proach to teaching, it deals f I; "nT".v;i! J - - - , y -.ao. r- ' ' h?l' - with skiers who feel they've , reached a plateau and are no lrntrfr imnrovinp. professionals, local instructors instruct-ors and anyone interested in learning. The program is sponsored ,by the Special Olympics Foundation and Park West--you can call the resort for more information. Park West also sports a racing department geared for 9 to 14 year olds. Racing Director Dick Stoner says he currently has sixteen local racers in the program that "emphasizes personal style in relation to efficient . ski techniques and having fun." Park West is looking forward to more business this year and they may just get it. Resort co-owner Dick Frost says the addition of Deer Valley will mean "added draw"' to Utah and may be just what the resort needs to pull it out of a financial slump. Locals know the secret of ,, Park West but the resort is also after out-of-state skiers. Park West has joined the voucher system which Frost says will be an "added asset" in bringing additional skiers to the resort this year. The interchangeable voucher pass "is a major breakthrough break-through in cooperation with the other ski areas," said Frost. What's new at Park West? The cheapest lift ticket in town pays for added runs this season which could lead to visitor's discovering one of the local's best-kept secrets. with skiers who feel they've , reached a plateau and are no longer improving. Park West also offers a kinderschool program for 3 to 8 year olds. The school emphasizes "teaching children child-ren when they're ready to learn." However, one of the most successful programs at Park West continues to be its handicapped ski program. Harmon says this year "the program is going to be better than ever." A three-day coaches' seminar is slated for January featuring instructor in-structor training clinics. Those tentatively participating participat-ing include former U.S. Ski Team racer Billy Kidd, former Olympian Jill Kin-mont Kin-mont and steamboat Srpings Handicapped Ski School Director Di-rector Hal O'Leary. These professionals plan to share the newest techniques in teaching handicapped of all ages to ski to other ! 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