Hi Kyle,

Thanks for your inquiry and your passion for Hyak! We share your passion for the fantastic terrain that this hill provides and are doing all we can to get alpine operations back there as soon as possible. Unfortunately, we do not expect to install a new chair this summer. We are working diligently on design and permitting to install a fixed grip triple chair summer 2010. This chair will load in the base area (between the Old Milwaukee lodge and the building that Outdoors For All uses) and unload at the top of the knob exactly where the old Dinosaur lift unloaded. We are extremely excited about this improvement and look forward to providing an even better experience at Hyak when it is complete! In the meanwhile, enjoy your turns wherever they may be.

Sincerely, Trevor KostanichDirector of Planning & DevelopmentThe Summit at Snoqualmie

I guess I can live with this if the lift will really go in during the summer of 2010. I am still bummed about no Hyak for next year, but I suppose it is better to have it back in 2010 than not at all.

I've been spun less on rides that made me queasy... but I guess we have to hope that it is true. I don't know that there is any more WE can do.

No Hyak = reduced product.

1/4th of the summit area's will be closed for the 2009/10 winter.
Is 1/4th going to be cut off the pass price?

Less radical ways of looking at it...

12 out of 96 groomed trails will be closed.
Will there be a 1/8th price reduction?

2 lifts out of 18 will be 100% non-operational.
How about 1/9th cut off the pass prices?

Even 10% off would be better than nothing.

My season pass is cut by 100%.... I will enjoy the year hiking more, and maybe getting over to White Pass a few times. Too bad they won't at least run the little chair. They could make the Hyak hill a nice area for lessons only...

Hyak Ski and Snowboard Adventure
On the World-Wide-Web since 1997

Well at least we know its not a rumor anymore, hopefully the same thing wont happen next year. It would be great if they did reduced prices but I dont see them ever backtracking on price

Because of this summit at snoqualmie is out 7 season passes just from my family alone. I am losing hope that hyak will ever be a ski area again. It doesn't matter what our local ski areas do, the out of state ski resorts have to make money before they would invest in hyak again. Until now, I had always thought being owned by a big company was a better thing for hyak, but now I don't think it is.


I have a feeling this is the end of a great era!



Kyle

This is all reminding me a lot of the late 70s/early 80s: Economic downturn, weather issues, aging lifts and a need to update/expand. Will Hyak survive it all? I think that is an open question until we actually are riding the new Hidden Valley lift. An aging Triple on the front won't be enough to save the place IMHO.

Pilchuck was closed by the state which no longer wanted to operate the area as a public park. Hyak is on private/public land and is the main hub for the Nordic trails. Not likely Hyak would be mothballed unless Boyne fails as a corporation.

Hyak Ski and Snowboard Adventure
On the World-Wide-Web since 1997

Yes, Pilchuck was a blast! The funnel, the lower hill, the lodge where everybody knew your name, the cheap lift tickets, and even after closing, the wonderful climb to the top! Lots of good memories there. Hyak is connected to a larger population base, so I have hope. Also, if Pat Deneen wins big at the Olympics, maybe they'll name the "new" chair after him (he placed first in moguls this year in the nations and made the Olympic team--he grew up at Hyak). So another Olympic connection beside the jump (Peterhostmark Hill) from 1939 (I am almost done with my painting of the Skiboggan, Jack!!!)

Cliff Mass predicts El Nino and less snow for next year. If Hyak has to sit out for a season, its easier to accept on a bad snow year.

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2009/06/welcome_back_el_nino.php