VERNON, New Jersey ??” Mountain Creek continues to make major capital investments into resort operations most crucial to an incredible guest experience and lasting memories. This year, the resort has invested over $750,000 in on-hill improvements including $500,000 in snowmaking, and $250,000 for the Parks and Pipes program. Additionally a pedestrian ramp was built connecting the Vernon Base area parking lot to the Route 94 pedestrian overpass, improving the guest arrival experience by eliminating the need to climb the stairs while carrying your gear.

Major snowmaking improvements to the Superpipe will allow for an earlier opening, and guarantee that the pipe is in top-notch condition when the 2006 Chevrolet Grand Prix Halfpipe finals return to Mountain Creek, January 20th -21st. This year, the event will double as the Olympic team qualifier, and the US Olympic Team will be named live from the resort on Saturday, January 21, 2005.

Additionally, the resort has made significant snowmaking improvements to Horizon, enhancing the beginner experience, and added fixed tower snow guns on Upper and Lower Eagle as well as improvements to the trail layout. More than three and a half miles, or 125 tons of snowmaking pipe was removed from the mountain and recycled. There has also been $100,000 in night lighting improvements throughout the resort.

For the Parks and Pipes Program, a 2006 Piston Bully ‘Edge’ Park Bully was purchased which will be dedicated to more efficient building and grooming of freestyle terrain. Additionally, Shawn Orecchio, Parks & Pipes Manager, has completely revised the park layout, and trail improvements were made to Indian Pass which will accommodate more options and provide the flexibility to establish more than one line. The JibLab crew, with more than 15 years of rail fabrication experience collectively, has been hard at work building up to 10 new jibs for the coming season, placing more emphasis on introductory park features as well as higher-end jibs. “We are fortunate to have a veteran crew that really works well together on all levels. It is with this experience that we are able to consistently improve our program and be on the forefront of innovation”, said Orecchio.

In addition to new traditional park features, creative wooden elements will complement the park design, including tree bonks, slides and a hitching post. With over 40 features in existing inventory, including two popular wallrides, park layouts can be easily changed-up on a rotating basis. Additionally, the JibLab will build a handful of smaller boxes to add to the existing inventory of EZ-Slide rails and other beginner level features, and will design a true Intro park on Half Moon. In support of the 2006 Grand Prix Finals, the Jiblab will also fabricate a handful of custom features to be introduced at the event. Mountain Creek has also begun to sell some “retired” rails to other resorts, further demonstrating our reputation for excellence earned by the JibLab’s innovation and craftsmanship. And of course, the eagerly-anticipated JibLab Chronicles will return to mountaincreek.com with behind-the-scenes video clips and exclusive content.

The resort remains deeply dedicated to beginner and progression programs, helping the guest grow their skills, whether he or she is a first-timer, an intermediate rider, or has aspirations of going pro. New learning programs in a camp-format will be available, such as the Mountain Creek Ski and Ride Camp, Black Diamond Ski Camp, Buddy Werner Superstars race program, and the Progression Session Snowboard Camp. Additional alpine training programs will also be offered, including NASTAR and the Alpine Development Programs. Of course, top instructors will still be available for our regular ski and snowboard clinics, the often-sold out Burton Learn to Ride program, and 2-day Beginner Burton Snowboarding or Salomon Skiing Camps, where you not only get to keep the gear you learn on, but you also get a Season Pass all for one great price! Specialty programs like Tuesday’s Ladies Club will return thanks to popular demand, as well as new programs like the Women’s Weekday Workshops and Mountain Creek Ski Esprit, Chill On The Hill, and Progression Freestyle. Visit www.mountaincreek.com for all the details and prices on these programs.

After a very successful introduction last year, the Tylenol Main Park on Vernon Peak will again require a $5 Park Pass valid for the entire season. The inaugural Park Pass was effective in improving safety on the resort’s most advanced freestyle terrain by requiring freestylers to view the Smart Style educational video and reducing crowding.

Events are a key part of the scene at Mountain Creek, and the resort is bringing back many of the most popular events, as well as adding some new ones. The current event calendar includes:

December:
3rd: Red Bull Community Project Movie Premiere
17th: Rome Preseason Jibulation

January:
6th: Ski Barn Jammin for Swag
7th: Scout Days
8th: Scout Days
10th: Tour de Creek RIDE Team Challenge
14th: Op Girls Learn to Ride
15th: Sports Illustrated for Kids Next Snow Search Qualifier
20th: Chevrolet US Snowboard Grand Prix
21st: Chevrolet US Snowboard Grand Prix (Olympic Team Announcement)
27th: Ski Barn Jammin for Swag
28th: Korean Ski & Snowboard Festival
29th: Korean Ski & Snowboard Festival

February:
3rd: Ski Barn Jammin for Swag
4th : Christian Family Ski Days
11th: Trans-Am Rail Jam
17th: Ski Barn Jammin for Swag
24th: Burton Super Demo
25th: Mid-Atlantic Snowboard Series, Burton Super Demo, Scout Days
26th: Mid-Atlantic Snowboard Series, Burton Super Demo, Scout Days

March:
3rd: Forum Youngbloods Rail Jam
4th: Freeski Super Fling, Op Girls Learn to Ride, Christian Family Ski Days
11th: Volcom Peanut Butter and Rail Jam
12th: Z100 Snowplow Luau, Pond Skimming

And last but not least, watch for the official opening of the new Appalachian hotel this winter. The first true village property, The Appalachian, will be recognized as Mountain Creek’s premier address, offering fantastic accommodations at the foot of the mountain and the first true ski-in/ski-out hotel. The Appalachian will boast a private courtyard with four-season pool and hot tubs, a well-equipped fitness center and details like stone fireplaces, wood beams and underground parking. Featuring 100 studio, 1 and 2 bedroom condominium hotel units fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, stunning mountain and valley views and wireless internet, The Appalachian will be the region’s premier mountain resort getaway. The Appalachian will also cater to small meetings and conferences, bringing a sense of adventure and natural beauty that ordinary conference centers and hotels cannot duplicate.