Waterford, New Brunswick — An Eastern Canadian ski resort is investing big in snowmaking to preserve its operational schedule.
Last Friday, Poley Mountain announced C$2.5 million (approximately $1.75 million USD) in snowmaking upgrades. The investments include a new snowmaking pumphouse, three new HKD snowmaking pumps, and more.
The key change will be increased water capacity. Thanks to the pumphouse and the new pumps, they will increase their capacity from around 1,000 gallons per minute to 2,500 gallons per minute.
With snowmaking coverage on 30 trails, the new pumphouse will allow Poley to produce more snow. This will enable earlier openings and longer operating schedules.
“Today, snowmaking is not simply about making snow when it gets cold,” said Mike MacNeil, President of Poley Mountain Resorts. “It is about being ready to take advantage of every weather window we get. We are striving to consistently achieve a 90-day season, deliver a quality skiing and snowboarding experience, and equip our team with the state-of-the-art tools to make that happen.”
Construction is currently ongoing and is expected to continue for the rest of the fall. The goal is to have it operational for the 2027-28 season.
This move follows another big announcement from the ski resort earlier this year. In May, Poley Mountain acquired 110 acres of existing land. While not officially announced, they aspire to add a base area to the ski resort with this expansion.
About Poley Mountain
Located in New Brunswick, Poley Mountain features 32 trails, 4 lifts, and a vertical drop of 660 feet. Since acquiring the ski resort in 1999, the current ownership group has spent around $15 million CAD on the property. Perhaps the most noteworthy development was a new base lodge, which had to be rebuilt after a 2014 fire. During the summer, Poley Mountain is home to a lift-served mountain biking park with more than 16 km of trails.
Image/Video Credits: Poley Mountain
