Breaking News: Big Sky, Grand Targhee, and Lutsen programs finalized for 2014/15

We are pleased to announce that we have finalized our Member Benefit Programs with our partner resorts:  Big Sky, Montana - Grand Targhee Resort, WY - Lutsen Mountains, MN.  We are proud to offer our members benefits at these resorts and we thank our resort partners for offering exclusive opportunities like this for our season pass holders.

To view the full Big Sky Exclusive Package offers Click Here.  The benefits at Targhee and Lutsen will be virtually the same as recent years.

In a couple of weeks, we will release a new fall lineup of season pass options which will enable you to take advantage of all Member Benefits including exclusive offers at our partner resorts, exclusive discounts on lift tickets and rental for your guests, and more.  Watch for our new "Flex Passes" which will provide a series of flexible membership options to fit your life style and schedule.

Stay tuned for more information on our new fall passes as well as fall events, D-Team Picnic, Ski Swap, and more! 

Impressive

Here are some pictures taken today from the construction site of our new state-of-the-art Maintenance Shop.  This building looks more and more impressive my the day.  For the first time, you will see the 5 ton jib crane.  The block walls are complete for the most part.  We are hoping to start the framing process next week. Still anticipating completion this fall.  Winter is getting closer, we can feel it.

MSAA Conference & Trade Show

I was in Boyne, Michigan this past week... part of a group of five Welch Village management members attending the Midwest Ski Areas Association conference and trade show.  This is an annual event where ski area staff from across the Midwest come together to learn, network, socialize, and prepare for yet another winter season that is just around the corner.  The Boyne Michigan area is truly special this time of the year and the staff at the resort did an excellent job hosting this event.  This year's conference offered a variety of interesting and educational sessions on all topics relating to ski area operations.  Personally, I learn the most at these events from talking with ski area operators from across the Midwest region and learning how they run the businesses, what their seasons were like, what's new for them at their areas etc.  This year, I learned the most from the operators of Perfect North Slopes in Indiana, Cascade Mountain in Wisconsin, and Crystal Mountain in Michigan.  Specifically, I was impressed at how these ski resorts train and manage their staff in customer service across all the departments. I feel we do a pretty good job at this at Welch Village but there are always opportunities for growth.  The event also provides a chance to learn about the latest in equipment & technology from industry suppliers.  Below is a collection of photos taken during the week.  

We at the Village like to say that this event marks the unofficial start to the winter season for us.  We hope you are enjoying the last few weeks of summer.  We are busy getting ready for our 50th season and are looking forward to serving you for 50 more.

Tim Parker(Rossignol) with a passionate sales pitch to Joe Yasis (Afton Alps)

 Our preferred snow cat, Piston Bully

 The latest portable snowmaking units from SMI and Techno Alpin

 The latest snowcat from Prinoth

 Keynote Address from President of National Ski Areas Association, Michael Berry

 Rob Walz from Cascade Mt. in a session about staff management & guest service

 The Welch Team: (Left to Right) Leigh Nelson, Nate Lindholm, Stephanie Prink, Chris Walch, and yours truly

 Steph and Nate just before their Zip Line Adventure

 Sunset over Deer Lake during the final evening of the conference

 Enjoying the sunset with Grandpa Leigh

New Shop Construction

Construction efforts with our new maintenance facility are in full swing.  Footings and the foundation have been poured and the crew is now installing the block wall of the first floor this week.  The exterior of the building is starting to take shop already which is pretty exciting.  This is going to be an impressive building. Stay tuned for more updates as the building takes shape.  Have a happy and safe 4th of July. 

P.S. Don't Forget - Our annual July 1st Lift Ticket Sale is tomorrow.

PRESS RELEASE: Ground Breaking of New state-of-the-art Maintenance Facility

Today, we held a ground breaking ceremony for our new state-of-the-art maintenance facility project.  Below is a Press Release written by Welch Village Founder, President, and Owner, Leigh Nelson:

PRESS RELEASE

Goodhue County granted a building permit on June 5 to Welch Village Ski Area, Inc., for construction of a state-of-the-art maintenance facility for the resort. Two buildings are included in the plan, one to house portable equipment for snow making and grooming, and the other for routine maintenance and for major repair of machinery and vehicles needed to provide superior slope conditions for a supreme alpine experience.

Welch Village will celebrate its 50th year of operation through the 2014-2015 season ahead, and the new maintenance facility confirms the commitment the resort has made to continually upgrade equipment, slopes and infrastructure to enhance the ski experience for its guests. At present the resort has over 200 high tech snow making units, pumps over 5000 GPM of water for snow production, has nine chairlifts serving 60 slopes, and has a large learning center with a carpet lift.

The new maintenance facility will be equipped with a hydraulic lift system, high tech tools and test devices, and a computer based spare part system assuring dependable performance of key equipment. Accessabilty to the slopes, and to the county highway system will enable fast response to slope needs, and ready and safe delivery of fuel and other supplies. The original shop facility will be dismantled and moved to the recreational bike trail in the Cannon Valley.

A ground breaking ceremony for the new maintenance complex will be staged on Thursday June 12, at 10 AM at the resort.on the fill bed site where the buildings are to be located. Coffee and a sweet will follow in the chalet, with a short presentation on the 50 year history of the resort and the ski industry. 

Black Diamond Bar and More

We are happy to announce that the newly renovated  Black Diamond Bar is open for business.  Of course, in order to enjoy the bar this summer you will have to be invited to a wedding at Welch Village.  We would like to thank Chris Hellie and Trilogy Construction for their great work!  We highly recommend Chris and Trilogy if you have any construction or remodel needs.  We will continue to add to the décor and feel of the Black Diamond Bar throughout the summer.  The Black Diamond Bar will have a really cool brand of it's own in the near future.  We will also keep you posted throughout the spring and summer on the rest of our improvement projects.  The big one for this summer is our new state of the art maintenance facility.  This facility will enable us to even better serve our ski and snowboard guests by making our snowmaking, grooming, and all maintenance operations more efficient and effective which will lead to an even better experience on the slopes.  We are also hoping to add more snowmaking guns to key locations.  Stay tuned.  Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!

A Saturday in April

For those of you who showed up right at 10am today to take the first few runs, you were rewarded with  incredible snow conditions.  For a while today, it was hard to believe it was April.   I skied today for about four hours.  It was some of the best conditions we had all year.  Yes, it got a little soft in the afternoon but it was a great day.  Thank you to all of you who spent this April Saturday with us at Welch Village.  Tomorrow is the final day of the 2014/15 season.  There is still plenty of snow left...hope to see you on the slopes.