October 18, 2007 (Telluride, Colorado) – Telluride’s first big snow of the season dropped nine new inches overnight, leaving the snow depth on top of renowned Gold Hill at more than a foot. Following heavy snowfall on the peaks and several dustings in town over the last few weeks, this storm settled in and blanketed the entire valley white.

“This snow is a great pre-season indicator, and with forecasts calling for more snow tonight and over the weekend, we are gearing up for a great season,” said Jeff Proteau, vice president of mountain operations. “The resort has also upgraded snowmaking and grooming capacities this year, so this snow is helping to build on a great base for opening.”

With more than $850,000 in snowmaking upgrades this season, skiers and riders will see vastly improved coverage and quality. The resort has run new snowmaking water lines for both sides of the mountain, added eight new SMI Super Polecat fan guns and 11 new Ratnik Snow Giant air/water guns.

Telluride Ski Resort also recently purchased three new Prinoth snowcats, two BR350s and one Sherpa Winchcat. Prinoth’s leading tiller designs lay down a superior ski surface, and will help Telluride continue to lead southwest Colorado in quality grooming.

In total, the resort has allocated more than $1.35 million to these two projects, dedicated to the continual enhancement of the ski experience on Telluride’s legendary terrain.

Telluride is scheduled to open on November 22. Keeping with tradition, Donation Day will take place on November 21 with all proceeds going to the Telluride Ski & Snowboard Club.

Click here for Nordic and snowshoe info.

www.tellurideskiresort.com