Timberline has invested more than $2 million in snow grooming and food options in preparation for the winter of 2015-16.

As part of a major remodel directed by Skylab Architecture and Lorentz Bruun Construction, both Wy’East Lodge food options at Timberline have been upgraded and renamed. The Black Iron Grill has been re-branded the Wy’East Cafe and the Market Cafe has been renamed Y Bar. In addition, the on-hill Phlox Point Boy Scout Cabin, a remodeled historic cabin, has been converted into a warming hut with tacos and drinks.

Also new for this winter are two PistenBully 400 ParkPro Snowcats, the first grooming machines Timberline has purchased specifically for building and maintaining terrain parks. PistenBully, which also supplies snowcats for Mt. Hood Meadows, is the industry leader in park sculpting.

Along with tacos and beers and sculpted parks there will be drones. As is the case with Meadows, Timberline is partnering with California-based Cape Productions to offer aerial drone video service on the mountain, with a variety of packages available for skiers and snowboarders who would like to be filmed from above.

Due to safety concerns from management, Timberline officially prohibits the use of drones by the general public within the resort’s permit area.

Timberline has also invested in PistenBully SNOWsat, a slope and fleet management system with snow depth measurement, which is based on satellite-guided positioning. The purpose of SNOWsat is to reduce fuel consumption while improving snow quality and increasing safety with lower environmental impact.

Between SnowSat, the two new snow cats and other upgrades, Timberline has invested over one million dollars in snow grooming and snowmaking, to go along with the million-dollar-upgrade for Wy’East food options.

Next up: SNOW!

Timberline, Meadows and SkiBowl will all be at the Portland SkiFever Expo this weekend, hoping to drum up business for season passes as the low-price deadline nears.

Last modified: November 6, 2015