Lift Building Fun

Yesterday, while it was snowing, the lift crew had a heck of a day pouring concrete and building a chairlift.

 

Snowing On The Summit

 It is a little stormy up on The Summit.

Aerial Adventure Park & Via Ferrata - Two More Weekends

Summer is winding down in the Aerial Adventure Park (AAP) and on the Via Ferrata (VF). These activities will be open for two more 3-day weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The AAP is fun for anyone with an adventurous spirit. Bring your friends and family and enjoy climbing high in the forest. The VF is more challenging out on the rock, but equally fun. Don't let the Summer slip by without enjoying these climbing adventures.  Come on up and savor those last days of summer. You might even catch Oktoberfest or the September 24 Hazel Miller concert. For more details check out Aerial Adventure Park and Via Ferrata.

After these two weekends, we will seriously shift into preparing for winter. The Snowmaking Manager, Bill LeClair, already has his game face on.

 

Fan Guns Out

The snowmakers have put the fan guns out on High Noon. In the next couple weeks they will be placing hydrants, snowmaking hose and power cords. Monday they did Summer Test Number One pumping water up to mid-mountain. It all worked well. Snowmaking systems are interesting and complicated. Snowmaking and power lines are spread for miles across the mountain. Additionally, there are pump stations and the actual fan guns. Most of the equipment exists in a very rough and rugged environment. On top of that, the system sits idle for nine months of the year. The snowmaking crew spends the summer testing and maintaining all of their gear.

They do all this in preparation for that special night two or three weeks from now when the wet bulb temperature drops below 26F and they "FIRE UP" for the snowmaking season.

 

Two Days Of Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has been such a great event that we are hosting it for two days this Fall. This is my favorite event of the "No Winter" season. I even bought my own lederhosen. Saturday or Sunday come up for the morning for a hike, a bike, a round of disc golf or a free chairlift ride. Starting at noon each day there will be all kinds of great food, beer, live music and dancing.   For all the details and to register go A-Basin Oktoberfest.

 

Tower Guns Installed

We had a good fly day Wednesday. The four new tower guns on High Noon were set. The helicopter also did a little bit of Lenawee Express work as well as delivering some equipment high on the Via Ferrata route.

Cirque Series

Today was the annual Cirque Series running race. 500 athletes started in the base area and ascended to the top of Radical where they hopped on the Beavers Loop Trail. While that trail is not quite finished and ready for bikes, it was acceptable for this tough, gnarly adventure. Runners continued to the Summit and then climbed all the way to the top of Little Lenawee Peak. From there a rapid descent took them all the way back to the base area. Amazingly, the first place finisher completed the course in 1 hour and 8 minutes. Very fun day up here.

 

Dillon Amphitheater

Dillon has an incredible amphitheater. On the edge of the lake with the Gore and Ten Mile Ranges in the background, it is hard to beat this setting. The shows there range from sold out national acts to free local concerts. We went to one of each this weekend. Saturday night Shakey Graves entertained a sold out crowd with his unique Americana blend of blues, folk, country and rock and roll. Sunday night the "Summit Musicians Relief Fund" hosted a show to aid local musicians in need. A number of local bands entertained the crowd including A-Basin favorites High Five, Old Herman and Hobo Village.

Summit County is such a fantastic place to live and spend time that I have to pinch myself. We get to enjoy these fantastic shows in an idyllic setting. While listening to the music, I also gaze at the mountains and I remember the peaks I have stood on top of and ponder the ones that hope to stand on soon. We are lucky.