Kelly Canyon is modernizing for a longer winter season

RIRIE, Idaho (KIFI) - Kelly Canyon Ski Resort has made massive upgrades in the past year that have helped it to draw in crowds bigger than ever. It's all a part of a fairly new ownership that is trying to modernize the resort to make the best winter experience.

The best upgrade this past offseason for the resort was its new snowmaking capabilities. The new snowblowers across the mountainside can make snow as long as the outside temperatures is below 55 degrees. With this in mind, Kelly Canyon was able to start creating snow back in the first part of November.

Kelly Canyon then opened up on Nov. 25 with also a little help from Mother Nature's early season snowfall. It was the earliest opening to a winter season in their history and was the first time they had ever opened up in November. This is more impressive especially since last winter, the resort wasn't able to open up until Dec. 20, almost a month later.

The big upgrade for last winter was the addition of a brand lift for the first time in more than 40 years. That combined with the early opening this year have driven in over 10,000 snowboarders and skiers already this season.

Another upgrade to the resort includes it's new restaurant which got an upgrade last year. It features new menu options, had catering available and is open year-round instead of merely being open for the dedicated winter and summer seasons.

Kelly Canyon hopes to continue to make more massive improvements in the next few years.