Ski Big Bear invests $3 million

Creating a state of the art facility Lackawaxen — Recreation Management Corp., the corporate name for Ski Big Bear, and Masthope Mountain Community are collaborating to implement a $3 million expansion plan. “Our goal is to continue to build Ski Big Bear into a first rate winter recreation product.” says Ron Schmalzle, President of Recreation Management Corp, operator of Ski Big Bear. “We are fortunate to have experienced wonderful growth throughout the last 5 years which we believe is a direct result of continued investment in the mountain along with consistent and experienced management. We will continue to work hard to earn our customers’ trust so they can count on us to produce a reliable product even when challenged with unseasonable weather as we had a couple of years ago. When other areas were struggling to get open or stay open we were open and busy and we believe that is a direct result of an ongoing business plan with the community that is focused on reinvesting profits back into the mountain.” This latest improvement plan centers on increased lift capacity and the continued development of snowmaking and the mountain facilities. Details of the plan are as follows: • A second Magic Carpet Lift, the ideal lift for learning to ski or snowboard offering a simple, safe and fun way to get to the top without the customer’s feet ever leaving the ground. • Expansion of an already impressive snowmaking plant to include new low energy snowguns, increased water pumping capacity and expanded electrical capacity. • Replacement of the current Thundercloud Double Chairlift with a new Double/Double Chairlift (2009/2010 Season). • Expanded rental shop including the purchase of new skiing and snowboarding packages. • Development of the learning center. • A new Web site: http://www.ski-bigbear.com with a live webcam, weather report, event information and more. • Expansion of the terrain park by developing more terrain as well as building and purchasing more rails, hits and equipment. • Other improvements include adding additional parking facilities, improving lighting, restructuring building uses and other infrastructure improvements are planned pending permit submission and approval. “We are always studying our customer needs and looking at the latest technology to continue to enhance the Ski Big Bear experience. This is a challenging industry that takes a full time commitment of capital investment and careful planning,” said Ron. The Mountain Top Village, all built over the last five years, includes a country store, skier services building and beautiful 25,000 square foot lodge that is home to a great variety of food and beverage services. Ski Big Bear will open for skiing, snow tubing and snowboarding in mid December. Season passes and season rentals are on sale now and additional information is available at http://www.ski-bigbear.com or by calling 570-685-1400.