To the Massanutten Community:
We’re into the heart of Spring now – and that means that we’re gearing up for summer operations. Here are a few items to keep you in the loop:
WaterPark Open House for MPOA Members:
We held our first one last year, and it was delightful. Many MPOA members enjoyed the park, and we had a great time chatting with them. So we’re doing it again! Details to follow, but we’re tentatively slating this year’s Open House on Friday, June 3. To RSVP please click the link here.
During the open house, we look forward to previewing a few new additions including a new Archery and Axe Throwing area, the expanded cabana offerings and a new arcade. Looking forward to seeing everyone again!
Beta Test: New On-Demand Shuttle Service
If you’ve been following our recent posts, you’ve noticed that we’re doing a lot these days to reduce our carbon footprint and become better stewards of our beautiful section of the planet. You already know about the solar installation (the first two projects of which are in the late stages of the permitting process). But here’s one that’s kind of cool. Our Sustainability Committee came up with it.
From roughly May 20 through June 20 (including Memorial Day Weekend), we’ll be running a beta test of a new on-demand shuttle service. The idea is sort of a blend between conventional shuttles and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. Timeshare guests will be able to contact the service for pickup at or near their units, and get rides to services and attractions throughout the resort – especially those in The Kettle.
This beta test will incorporate our existing fleet of 12- and 15-passenger shuttle vans. It’s our hope that this service will reduce, at least somewhat, the number of visitor cars on Massanutten Drive – and reduce their carbon output as guests visit attractions such as the Campfire Grill, the Family Adventure Park, mountain biking and even MPOA-operated attractions such as mini-golf and the go-kart track.
Will it work? That remains to be seen – but we’re going to give it a try.
Mountain Operations update:
Things are really moving along on the mountain. We’ve finished clearing two trails and working on a third – Mueller’s Mile, the new blue square trail from the summit of the Quad (Lift 7) that starts out to skier’s right as you get off the lift, before rejoining the quad liftline further down; the black-diamond Slot, which connects Diamond Jim to the liftline, and Ridgecrest – another blue-square route from the summit, this time starting on upper Paradice (before it gets steep at skier’s left from the top of the lift), and connecting to the top of the Ridge Triple (Lift 5).
Grading work is ongoing on all three. And we captured a fun video recently with some of the coolest blasting we’ve seen. You can see it HERE.
There’s lots going on with snowmaking, too. We’re replacing the main feed from the Pumphouse to most of the mountain – installing about 1700’ of 16” water supply pipe and airlines. The plastic air supply pipe has been fused together and is largely complete; once we receive shipment of more water supply pipe, we’ll open a trench on the ski trails and put them in place. No road crossings or disruptions to traffic should happen as a result. There are also some major improvements underway to electrical systems at the Pumphouse.
As always, please feel free to reach out by emailing community@massresort.com
Cordially,
Matthias Smith, VP and General Manager, Massanutten Resort
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