Bluewood Ski Resort unveils major mountain upgrades

DAYTON- Now that the ski season is in full swing, visitors at Bluewood Ski Resort are enjoying an array of recent improvements and upgrades, including a revamped food service area, additional parking options, an improved and newly named terrain park, and new program offerings.

The third floor of the lodge has undergone a complete overhaul, featuring draft beer and wine, and new seating options. R&B Barbecue has brought BBQ to the mountain.

The resort has added an overflow parking lot with a shuttle service to accommodate more skiers and snowboarders. It came in handy last Sunday, Jan. 22, when over 35 cars used the overflow parking. According to some long-time patrons, the unprecedented number of guests harkened back to days from the 80s and 90s. Online feedback shows the staff kept lines moving and guests in good spirits. The 12" of fresh snow certainly contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Bluewood's terrain park, Gnarnia, has also been redesigned with new features, including a dedicated park team. The park is divided into two sections to accommodate riders of all skill levels. The upper section has larger and more technical features, while the lower area is a progression park with smaller rails, boxes, and jumps designed for all riders.

The resort has introduced several new programs this year, including the Women's Ski Camp, Skyliner Kids Program, and Music on the Mountain. The Women's Ski Camp is perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers who want to gain confidence on blue and black diamond runs while making new friends.

The Skyliner Kids Program offers five weeks of ski lessons for kids and hours of uninterrupted skiing for parents.

The resort welcomes remote workers on Wednesdays with the Work From Hill program. Small business owners and employees can now work remotely with reserved tables, exclusive internet access, discounts, and other perks. Make a reservation and combine the most scenic office with ski breaks.

The Music on the Mountain program presents live performances from regional musicians at the lodge on select weekends. The program kicked off on Jan. 21 with singer and songwriter Kellie Rose, who performed at The Royal Block, Waitsburg's new Boutique Hotel and Art Bar, the evening before.

In 2018, the resort began working on a three-phase expansion plan, including new lifts, facilities, and equipment. The plan posted on the Bluewood website focuses on the visitors' skiing experience.

Bluewood General Manager Pete Korfiatis said, "Ridership levels at the mountain are making a strong case for financing a new lift, which decreases wait times, increases on-hill capacity, improves reliability most importantly, allows for summer access."

He shared other plans which are pending forest service approval, including wedding venues and hiking and biking trails. The Bluewood ownership group analyzes economic outcomes from the proposed improvement plans to ensure the resort's sustainability.

In addition to the added amenities and programs, it is the resort's team on the mountain that keeps visitors happy.

"Operationally, the team has done a great job improving efficiency and providing a wonderful experience for our Bluewood family," said Korfiatis. "We know we have a way to go to execute perfectly, but the effort is apparent, and the staff is generating their own ideas of improvement, which is the goal. They are taking accountability, and the guests have noticed their effort. It's wonderful to see all the happy riders at the mountain. Mid-week riding remains your own private mountain! You should really come see for yourself."

You can find all the information on the new improvements and programs at Bluewood.com. For the most up-to-date alerts, you can join their email or text club at the bottom of the website.