From SAM:

BENDER TO LEAD HIDDEN VALLEY RENAISSANCE

July 23, 2008


SAM Magazine-Hidden Valley, Pa., July 23, 2008-Scott Bender has joined the Buncher Resort & Hospitality Group, LLC as vice president of resort operations and will lead the management team at Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort. Bender was formerly the president and CEO of neighboring Seven Springs Mountain Resort, where he worked for more than 25 years.

"In the short time since acquiring Hidden Valley, the Buncher Group has demonstrated their commitment to the community and the long-term development of the resort," said Bender. "The resort has wonderful ski facilities, great four-season appeal and an incredible amount of potential. I'm very enthused to be a part of the expansion and improvement program that is planned and currently underway."

It's an ambitious program. In the four months after it acquired the resort in August 2007, Buncher renovated the base lodge facilities, installed 30 automated TechnoAlpin fan guns and two miles of new pipe, retrofitted 21 SMI portable to semi-automatic Polecats, refurbished the lifts including the addition of an Emmegi loading conveyor on the Summit Quad, added two Pisten Bully groomers and a Zaug half pipe cutter, replaced the snowboard rental fleet along with 60 percent of the ski rental fleet, and replaced the point of sale system.

For the upcoming season, Hidden Valley is replacing two old doubles with a new quad with another Emmegi loading conveyor. Also going in are 50 more TechnoAlpin fan guns, full automation of the pumping system, a conveyor lift at the tubing park, upgrades for the remaining 40 percent of the ski/boot rental fleet, plus new maintenance and skier services buildings. Base-area real estate development continues as well. To promote summer activities, Hidden Valley is restoring its 18-hole golf course, reviving its mountain biking operations and adding mountain board and paddleboat rentals.

"We are very pleased that Scott has come to lead our team at Hidden Valley," said Bill Doring, executive VP/treasurer for Buncher. "His guidance will enable us to develop innovative products for our customers that fully utilize the attributes of the resort. We look forward to a bright future at Hidden Valley under Scott's direction."

Good to see plans for another loading conveyor for the new quad. Since it will not be detachable, with starts and stops they could have ended with less uphill capacity than the 2 doubles. At least this provides a good solution to keep things moving.

After reading this it just MAKES me want to goto HV for the first time ever and not worry about the drive time/gas to get there just to see the improvements and enjoy the experience.

I'm so glad the state (PA) is still vetting Buncher to see if they have the finacial resources & commitment to operate Laurel Mountain. My hard earned tax dollars at work!!!

BA: Go to HV, what it lacks in vertical is made up for in customer service, family atmosphere, improvements and upgrades. And the lift lines, compared to 7S on weekends, is minimal.

Outside of Whitetail, I've never been to a PA ski resort. I've done Whitetail twice in 4 years but have been wanting to goto Blue Knob, Laurel, and HV. The limiting factor has been at the time not finding anyone to ride with to cut out some of the boring drive time.

Just curious, does anyone know what one of those TechnoAlpin fan guns cost? Between that and the piping, they are pretty much replacing the entire system.

the new guns seem to run about 35,000 with the bulk buy possibly a little more. that doesn't include installation or piping.

imp

New lift towers are up for the new quad and the other lift gizmos were sitting in the parking lot along with about 30 of those beautiful new snow guns.
Someone at the ski shop told me that they hope to open by early November, I assume to make a point about the new snowmaking equipment. I also saw lots of welded steel pipe going into the ground. Assuming mother natures cooperates, this could be the best ski season ever at Hidden Valley.

The glades and runs behind Outback Park look real promising. Nice pitch and I've heard rumors that snow making may be going in there (the glades). Looks to be a real nice glades area from what little I've seen.