On April 17, a letter came from Northwood Realty, the real estate agency that works with the new owners.  They report that the golf course will be in the best shape in years, a new ski lift is being built on the North Slopes, and new ski trails are being cut.  These are exciting times for Hidden Valley.

We are getting to know the new owners at Hidden Valley, the Buncher Organization, through their deeds, which are very impressive.  We are very glad that they've purchased the resort.  The place that we love to visit is now at last in responsible hands.  The era of decline and poor service is over; resort employees show a new cheerfulness.

Buncher has released an overhead view of their plans for the lodge area at the base of the Valley Side ski slopes.  This is very exciting.  The Clock Tower building will stay but the others will go, to be replaced by elegant new condos and base facilities, including new lifts and swimming pools. 

The parking area is at the top of the drawing.  At the bottom of the drawing you can see the bases of three new lifts.  This will be an elegant entry point to Hidden Valley, with excellent family services.

We see a lot of progress--Hidden Valley is back as a great place for a family ski vacation.  Here are some of the changes that we noticed:

• On the North Side, at the Avalanche Quad, where novices have a hard time getting onto the quad and keep stopping the lift, a new rolling carpet has been installed that makes loading very easy.  You slide onto a moving belt that's just a little slower than the chair--then you get on the chair, very easily, and it gradually accelerates you off the belt.  This is a huge improvement for the North Side Slopes, makes the short lift line move really fast.
• The snow was among the best we've had at Hidden Valley.  The new regime has added a lot of snowmaking and the grooming is now really serious.  It shows.  If there's a chance for snow, Hidden Valley will have it.
• The Sunrise and Sunset lifts on the Valley side, that had many chairs with broken seats, now have all new chairs.  Comfortable, safe, nice.
• The employees who help you into the lifts will actually talk to you.  They are wearing Hidden Valley jackets.  They are even friendly!
• There's a new John Harvard's Restaurant in the Barns.  It serves competent Brew Pub fare.  Several people had recommended the meat loaf (yes, really!), and now we've tried it and recommend it too.  Be sure to try the Hidden Valley Ale, it's delicious.
• The Clock Tower Restaurant is open and serving a competent, well-prepared menu that makes a great and reasonably priced sking lunch.
• Potholes in all the roads have been fixed.
• There's a rather complete video arcade in the Clock Tower building.
• The Sports Club has been extensively redecorated, and now offers complete spa services in addition to workouts, swimming and other features.
• All the buildings have new roofs, new carpet, new paint inside and out.  It's a nice refresh.
• Plans for improvement include a second golf course.  This is required in order to host PGA events and will open up whole new golf opportunities at Hidden Valley.
• There are very nicely drawn plans on display in the Lodge that show where Hidden Valley is headed.  There will be a new hotel and lodge at the base of the ski area, that looks like a smaller Beaver Creek.  Only the present Clock Tower building will remain.  There will be several new lifts.  These plans are very classy, and will make Hidden Valley a terrific place for a vacation.
• There's a quality ski shop, staffed by enthusiastic people who will help you.  The store is jammed full of merchandise that has been well selected.

The most noticeable improvement, though, is the quality of the snow.  The huge increase in snow-making capacity has meant that many times there have been good skiing conditions when just natural snow would not have done the job.  The new grooming cats have also improved the situations; we now see quality groomed snow on all the trails.  Give it a try, you'll like it!

We're also glad to see that some reservations are being made for vacations at 5112.  We're happy to be hosting guests!  If you're considering a Hidden Vacation, this is a good time to nail down your reservation so that you don't miss a lot of good skiing this season.

Hidden Valley is baaaaaack!!!