JAY, Vermont ??” The Jay Peak staff has been hard at work this summer to improve its product offering and prepare for the 2005-06 winter season. The Operations team and local crews have been digging and building as Village construction continues and the Graham Cooke Designed Jay Peak Golf course goes from dream to reality; the Snowmaking and Grooming department is prepping everything and making sure the snowmaking system and glades are ready for colder weather and snow, respectively; and Marketing has put together some ticket and package deals that will get guests out skiing and riding more often for less money.

The Village area was busy this summer ??“ while some crews were wrapping up work on the Phase II construction others were getting started on Phase III. Phase II was completed in two parts ??“ 24 units during the 2003-04 season and a further 56 units that were completed this spring and summer. Phase III calls for another 48 units (eight 4- and 5-bedroom townhouses and 40 2- and 3-bedroom condominiums). When completed, Phase II and III Jay Peak will have nearly double the number of guests it can accommodate in the Village.

While crews work to build lodging to accommodate guests, Dave Heath (Grooming and Snowmaking Manager) and his team have been busy improving the mountain’s snowmaking capabilities and clearing the glades in time for the snow. The most noticeable snowmaking improvement will be along the CanAm trail where 9 to 10 fixed guns will be added. More snowmaking along the CanAm will dramatically change the contour of the trail, make it easier to groom, allow moguls to form better, and ultimately, drop the difficulty of the slope. Extensive glade work has also be completed across the mountain – some 150+ acres have been hand mowed, according to Heath.

“We’ve cleaned and hand mowed all of the glades, including Moonwalk woods which is a beginner glade that also has three serpentine single-groomer tracks that weave their way through one of the most beautiful hardwood forests on the mountain,” said Heath. “The work we’ve done this summer will, hopefully, let us get the glades open earlier this season ??“ although we’ll still have to count on a couple of good shots of snow from Mother Nature.”

Jay Peak will have several new ticket and program deals available this winter. New ticket products include the Stretch Ticket ??“ available online at jaypeakresort.com and receive a coupon for discounted tickets Fridays and Mondays throughout the season (except Monday, December 26th). Jay Peak is also introducing a new Learn to Ski/Ride program called the 3-Step. For $139 guests can purchase 3 days of lessons, rentals, and Beginner Zone tickets. The 3-Step will also reward new skiers and rider with a free, full mountain season pass at the end of their third lesson so that they can spend the rest of the winter building and improving on the skills they developed in their lessons.

For more information on Jay Peak, please visit www.jaypeakresort.com.