On November 6, 2006, Pennsylvania’s Montage Mountain was sold to a private Philadelphia-based firm and renamed Sno Mountain. The Poconos ski area had been owned by Lackawanna County. Lackawanna County began exploring a sale of the ski area in recent years. The area was reportedly sold for $5.1 million.
The new owners plan to invest heavily in the ski area. The developers plan to install 193 new snowmaking guns in time for the upcoming winter season, and will also unveil a new terrain park. Sno Mountain has also ordered a Magic Carpet, which it plans to install in the tubing park.
Beyond this season, Sno Mountain plans to add additional trails and lifts to the ski area. Sno Mountain is also working on plans to develop a new water park. Montage Mountain featured a water park, but the water park shut down in 2004 after having trouble competing with newer water parks at competing ski resorts. Sno Mountain hopes to begin developing a new water park next summer, but has not projected an opening date yet.
I think it is very strange that this group of investors whose purchase was contested locally as being a back room deal has not advertised anywhere the changes, or improvements for this upcoming season.
Apparently Lackawanna County sold Montage since they were losing money every year it was in operation.
Lackawanna County initially negotiated a deal with Sno Mountain for 4 million and when Snow Time (owner of Roundtop, Whitetail, Liberty) then offered 5 million, Sno Mountain then matched the new bid.
Robert, I'm not sure I follow? The Sno Mountain web site (linked to in the article, at www.snomtn.com) seems to have fairly detailed information about the resort, including information on improvements for the upcoming season. The old Montage Mountain web site (www.skimontage.com) hasn't been updated in ages and even gives errors when visiting. I'm assuming it's just some crust left behind (maybe at this point no one still has access to the server?) But the new Sno Mountain web site seems pretty informative.
I was wondering with all of the work on the mountain will it be open still for skiing if not when will the mountain be open to ski and snowbord
I believe Sno Mountain is planning to open as early in the season as weather conditions permit (probably mid-December). Be sure to check their official web site (http://www.snomtn.com/) for the latest.
Sounds like things will certainly improve there. That is a nice mountain, now they just need to replace the long haul triple chair with a six-pack six-shooter!
Ive been going to Montage Mountain for 7 years now and the conditions have been getting worse each year. Last year they actually hired some park tecks to keep the terrain park in line so it was better than other years. SnoMtn seems like they are really going to strive to make this mountain the best around. Im very excited to see how the terrain park is going to turn out.
-Local Snowboarder
it's December 23. This is the only ski slope where there's no snow. Elk, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Camelback, etc. all the neighbor slops have decent snow and they are open two weeks ago.
sounds like fun cant wait 2 go down a slope of ours!
