Burke Mountain Resort announces snowmaking upgrades

Burke Mountain and Burke Mountain Academy (BMA) announced Wednesday a significant snowmaking project on the slopes of the resort that will be taking place this summer and fall.

Some of the new improvements to the snowmaking system include a new 800hp Cameron compressor, as well as over 100 high-efficiency fan guns, some of them replacing outdated, inefficient snow guns previously in use at the mountain. 

The new system will use the very latest in compressor and snow gun technology, which will not only significantly increase snowmaking capability, but will also dramatically reduce the amount of energy required to make snow.

BMA athletes, coaches and guest racers will reap benefits of the new snowmaking improvements, according to the academy. Race training trails, Warren’s Way and The Dippers will now be open earlier and have the capability to be resurfaced throughout the season. 

“We are very excited by the commitment from the new ownership group to make these improvements and are pleased to partner in this initiative,” said BMA headmaster Kirk Dwyer.   

The Burke Training Hill and Poma lift are the facilities that have the greatest impact on the success of BMA’s Alpine athletes. Over the past three years, BMA has invested nearly $400,000 to enhance its alpine training arena, including upgrades to the Poma lift and construction of a new training building. And in 2011, Burke Mountain invested in a new high-speed chairlift.

“Improved snowmaking will enhance the efficiency of training, increase the number of training days here at home, and provide a competitive advantage relative to other Eastern ski programs,” Dwyer said. “Coupled with the new high speed quad installed last season, these improvements will lead to continued momentum for BMA and Burke Mountain.”

QBurke Mountain Resorts, headed by Ariel Quiros and partner Bill Stenger, president and co-owner of Jay Peak, took ownership of Burke Mountain Resort in May.