Pennsylvania’s Shawnee Mountain has seen extensive enhancements over the summer. The resort has spent $2 million in improvements for the 2004-2005 winter season, including a major overhaul of its snowmaking system.

Shawnee Mountain has installed 450 new tower-mounted York Snow Guns throughout the entire mountain, lining all of Shawnee’s 23 slopes and trails. Many of these snow guns are fully automated, using a computer to make adjustments based on weather conditions. Shawnee expects the new snowmaking system will allow the resort to open more trails earlier in the season.

Shawnee’s Bushkill Trail is being converted to a terrain park. Designed by Snow-Grind of Hanover, Maine, the terrain park will stretch nearly 3,000 feet with multiple rail and snow features. The park will appeal to a wide range of ability levels, from a small rail garden up to Super Park features. A 400-foot halfpipe is also being carved into Bushkill, with an adjacent shelter area with sound system and bonfire pit.

The Upper Tomahawk Trail will be home to a new NASTAR race course. A new Piston Bully Snow Cat groomer, with flex tiller, has been purchased. Shawnee’s rental inventory has been expanded through the purchase of 400 new Elan shaped skis, 150 new Elan snowboards, 300 new Ovo helmets, and 50 new Salomon ski boards. Over 4,000 skiers and riders can now be outfitted.

Shawnee has built a new entrance plaza, and has updated both lodges with free wireless Internet access. Restrooms in the Trepp Lodge has also been refurbished.