A lot of improvements are in store for visitors to the Camelback Ski Area this winter. The Poconos resort has expanded its snowmaking system, added a state-of-the-art snow groomer and halfpipe grinder, regraded many popular slopes and trails, and tossed in some new ski and snowboard rental equipment for good measure.

90 new high-efficiency snowmaking towers have been installed. Manufactured by McKinney Industries and Snow Economics, the new towers will produce snow with less energy than older snowguns. Camelback has placed the new 15- and 30-foot towers strategically in high-volume locations throughout the resort. A new 12-inch pipeline has been installed from base to summit to carry water throughout the mountain, and several snowmaking pumps have been automated. Camelback has “overengineered” its snowmaking infrastructure to allow for additional snowmaking improvements in the coming years.

A new Bombardier BR275 Groomer arrives from Canada. Photo provided by Camelback Ski Area.

Fresh from Canada, a Bombardier BR275 Groomer was purchased by the resort, complete with an HPG Halfpipe Grinder.

A number of trails, including The Meadows, Pocono Raceway, Honeymoon and Turkey Trot, have been regraded. For example, The Meadows has been widened and regraded to improve skier flow, providing an easier time for novice skiers and also for snow groomers to do their stuff.

Rental inventory has also been enhanced, with the addition of 800 new Rossignol ski boots, 400 Elan X-Carve skis with Salomon bindings, 260 Rossignol snowboards, 500 Vans Snowboard boots, 800 Leki Poles and 800 Protec helmets.