Snow King projects moving along quickly

Snow King Mountain’s operators are relieved after its plan for an aerial adventure course was approved by the U.S. Forest Service.

The rope course is going to be different from the course at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Snow King Mountain said it will be a much longer and difficult self-guided course that winds through the forest.

Sue Muncaster, the operations manager for the aerial adventure course, said the date of completion is up in the air, but the goal is to have it finished by the end of summer.

She added that it will not only draw tourists, but also locals.

“We have plans for workout times on here where people can come here and do a CrossFit-style workout on it,” said Muncaster. “We think the climbing community, like the Jackson Hole Climbing Club, will be using it on a weekly basis. We hope all the kids in town will get some kind of a season pass and be using all of the Snow King activities.”

Construction at Snow King Mountain has been underway for about a month. New lodge buildings, a new lift and a mountain coaster are on the way this summer.

Ryan Stanley, the general manager of Snow King Mountain, said four years ago you couldn’t give the ski area away. This summer, $9 million of improvements are going in. Last year four $4 million of snow-making improvements were installed. Stanley said the goal is to raise enough revenue that Snow King Mountain can be successful regardless of snowfall.

“We’ve been able to turn around the financially struggling ski area to what we think, in the long term, will be a really successful asset for both Snow King and the town of Jackson for visitors and locals alike,” said Stanley.

Snow King Mountain operators are hoping all of the projects will be finished this August.