Zip Line Update

Hi All,

I attended The Town of Hunter planning board meeting last night at which the project was presented, discussed and approved. There will be a public hearing on the issue in 2 weeks as required by state law but that is just a matter of formality. Construction can commence after the meeting and the first phase (of three) which would be the challenge (obstacle) course near the base lodge could be completed by end December weather permitting. The other two phases would be built in the spring. The zip line course from the top of the mtn will be the longest in the world consisting of six zip lines zig-zagging 3 miles and terminating near the top of "C" lift. They are studying installing parallel zip lines so two can zip along side by side but independently. The courses will be open 365 days a year employing about 25 people during lift hour operations subject to weather conditions. They will provide a small fleet of back-up six wheel drive army type all terrain vehicles which can transport 12 people at a time up or down the mtn in the event of lift failure (which we all know is a given). No zip lines or canopy lines will criss-cross the slopes or require any tree line cuts. The zip line weight limits per person: 60 lbs min / 260 lbs max (sorry Victor) - no age limit. This is the single largest project on the mtn top since the mtn was developed for skiing. If successful, more such projects can be developed on the west side. Paul Slutzky spearheaded this so when you see him, please show your appreciation.

Zipping along soon,

Jon

Hunter - big news!

Hi All - hope your summer has gone well in spite of the unusual cool rainy weather.

Big news from Hunter - finally they are taking steps for year round activites.

Hunter has entered into an agreement with an Int'l Eco Tour Company (Canopy Tours Inc. - New York Zips) to set up zipline canopy tours on the mtn.

There will be a zipline tour starting from the top, a canopy tour from midway and a challenge course at the base. Once permits are secured it will take 3 -4 months to install and train personnel. The zip lines will start from the edge of the cliff somewhere near the Rip Van Winkle sculpture and zig zag down the mtn via a series of zips over the gulley to the skiers right of K-27 and end somewhere near the top of Mossy Brook. The canopy tour will be located between Hunter One and Mossy Brook over the stream. The challenge course will be set up between the base lodge and the Liftside Condos / D-lift. This project was just presented to the Village Planning Board (of which I am a member) last night and will go in front of the Town Board Tuesday Sept 1. This company chose Hunter over Windham as a partner after many months of talks with Windham. This company has similar facilities in NH near Loon Mtn and on the island of Jamaica among other locations.

Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned................

This is a bigger customer draw than what I first thought. The operators of the Zip Line near Loon have a great site to get a feel for what could be in the future for Hunter: http://www.alpinezipline.com/

This site covers the "Best Zip Line Tours - Top Ten in the USA".

http://www.americasbestonline.net/index.php/pages/ziplinetours.html

Ski ya soon,

Jon

Please note the following sad news which I was asked to pass along to you all:

Karen Sanderson's Father Lyle Sanderson passed this past Saturday.

Karen's address is

2-7 Cresent Drive

Thiells, NY 10984

The wake is Tuesday June 2 from 3 to 5 and from 7 to 9 at

W. J. Lyons Funeral Home

1700 Washington Ave.

Rensselaer NY 518-286-3400

Wednesday at 10am will be a service at the Lyons Funeral Home followed by the burial service.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to

American Lung Association

3 Winners Circle

Albany NY 12205

I am saddened to let everyone know that Dan Macilwain, former Ranger and Ambassador, passed away on April 2nd while fishing on his boat in Florida. Carol is on her way back from Florida to Greenville but is not taking any calls at this time as she is still in shock. Cards may be sent to:

Carol Macilwain

19 S Court Drive

Greenville, New York 12083

Sandie and Howie Vipler

Hi All,

As most of you know last Sat pond skimming was postponed early Sat morning due bad weather (as predicted) and held on Sun afternoon to a small but enthusiastic crowd. It was a sunny but cool, breezy day. The pond liner held up for the first time in 3 years to the delight of most who took 1 or 2 very cold dunks in the granular ice covered water. It looks like the mtn will open for Fri & Sat with a planned closing party and Easter egg hunt for Sat even tho the weather looks very "iffy". Skiing will be for advanced skiers only and those who like the risk of the heavy granular mush based on a visual look at the slopes - certainly rock skis would be advisable and bring a camera for bear pictures. FYI both Windham and Belleayre already closed for the season.

I will attach below the official Hunter news:

Hello from Hunter Mountain! The end of the season is nearer than ever, but we've got two days of skiing & riding left! Friday is Family Day here at Hunter...buy a full price ($35) adult ticket and get a young adult or junior lift ticket for free! On Saturday, all lift tickets cost only $19.59!!

We're having a massive Easter egg hunt all over the mountain on Saturday ... every egg has a great prize! Win discounts in the Expedition Center; lodging at the Kaatskill Mountain Club & Liftside Village or Mountain Club Spa; Group & Private Lessons; 09/10 lift ticket vouchers & 09/10 Big Lift Cards... there will even be two golden eggs...one with a mid-week season pass and one spotted golden egg holding a 09/10 season pass!

Hunt for the golden egg starts as soon as the lifts open on Saturday - so be ready. End the day with DJ FrankieOkie & The Solid Smoke Band playing the best of Motown...get your dancing shoes on for our last day of the season!

While you're around, visit the Sports & Expeditions Center and the Board Room for some amazing end of season deals -- up to 70% off! You won't find better deals anywhere....for a limited time only!

Happy trails,

Jon

Detailed Local Forecast

• Tonight: Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 29F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.
• Tomorrow: Mostly sunny in the morning. Increasing clouds with showers later in the day. High 48F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
• Tomorrow night: Cloudy with showers. Low 34F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
• Saturday: Cloudy with rain and snow showers in the morning. Remaining cloudy in the afternoon. High near 45F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 60%.
• Sunday: Rain and snow showers in the morning. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the mid 20s.
• Monday: Plenty of sun. Highs in the upper 30s and lows in the mid 20s.

Hi All,

Here's the link to the video from this past Tuesday Mar 31. It is 7 min long with bear scenes in the middle and end. Note what the bears think of the trails merge signs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgWvX3kGDcA

Today all rain, fog and wind with temps in the low 50's. Tomorrow not looking better with even colder temps.

Jon

Detailed Local Forecast

• Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm this evening, then some lingering showers still possible overnight. Low 38F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
• Tomorrow: Windy...cloudy with rain and snow. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 60%. Higher wind gusts possible.
• Tomorrow night: Periods of rain and snow showers in the evening becoming mostly cloudy and windy late. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 40%.
• Sunday: Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 49F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph.
• Monday: Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 30s.
• Tuesday: Chance of showers. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the low 30s.

What a difference a day makes. Today was a total washout with rain, wind, fog and temps in the low 50's. I can't even see the mountain through it all. Tomorrow not looking much better with more precipitation and colder temps.
Jon

Detailed Local Forecast

Today: Rain likely with a few thunderstorms. High 51F. Winds E at 15 to 25 mph. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.

• Tonight: Showers and thundershowers this evening giving way to periods of light rain late. Low 39F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
• Tomorrow: Windy. Rain showers in the morning becoming mixed with snow in the afternoon. Temps nearly steady in the mid to upper 30s. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 60%.
• Tomorrow night: Rain and snow showers and windy in the evening. Remaining windy and becoming partly cloudy late. Low 29F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 50%.
• Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s.
• Monday: Chance of showers. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the low 30s.
• Tuesday: Few showers. Highs in the mid 30s and lows in the mid 20s.