The new 'cats can also cut steeper angles, a real benefit to sculpturing the parks.

Brighton

It seems that with all the snow that fell last year, Snowcats topped the list of new purchases, and Brighton is no exception. The resort purchased two new machines over the summer.

Even with all the snow, the resort is taking no chances and added two new "Pole Cat" tower guns to their snowmaking package.

The resort also joined the new age of avalanche control with a new system that needs no explosives or fuses. The system is controlled by remote from the ski patrol office, which means the avalanche-control team will no longer need to enter the avalanche danger zones while carrying explosives.

A device remains on-slope and releases controlled explosions above the unstable snow surface, which creates a sympathy effect and simultaneous shock wave, thus increasing the efficiency of snow control over traditional methods of hand-thrown charges. Using this method, avalanches can be triggered in all weather conditions and from a safe distance from the blast site.

The Canyons

The big news from The Canyons is the release of a three-year, $400 million expansion plan that is part of the resort's long-range master plan. The improvements, both on and off the slopes, include new lifts, additional terrain, new lodging facilities, a golf course and the development of The Canyons Resort Village.

The expansion plan is a cooperative effort between landowners and the American Skiing Co.

In response to growing interests in terrain parks, the resort is introducing a new one for beginners and first-time skiers and snowboarders.

The new terrain park will be located off the Saddleback Express lift. The park will cater to first-time users and will complement the resort's ski and snowboard schools' terrain park clinics.

The advanced terrain park will still be located off Sun Peak Express.

Deer Valley

As part of an $8 million improvement program, the resort has replaced and extended the Sultan chairlift on Bald Mountain with a high-speed detachable quad.

The new lift was extended 1,000 additional linear feet, which increases its vertical drop to 1,760 feet. Extending the lift opens 75 additional skiable acres that include a new intermediate run and approximately 65 acres of glade skiing.

Responding to the needs of the customer, Deer Valley has increased the size of its Ski Corral at the Silver Lake Lodge. The dropoff point will now be able to hold 2,000 pair of skis for skiers while they rest and relax or grab a bite to eat.