Savvy Traveler: Ski Area prepares for season with major upgrades; Parking in New York City—I’ve got an app for that

With summer still here, it’s hard to think of snow on the mountains and strapping on skis. But the folks at Windham Mountain are digging deep into their corporate pocket to ensure a quality experience.

One of the three top ski resorts for folks in New York and Northern New Jersey, Windham has over the years added amenities, new ski lifts and runs to keep it at the top of the game.

Plans are now underway to put a $7 million investment to work reshaping and enhancing the mountain.

“The investment we made this summer and for the coming winter will dramatically change how Windham Mountain does business,” said Chip Seamans, president and general manager.

The changes should be immediately visible to those arriving at the resort. The access road and main driveway that used to lead from the secondary road into the resort has been moved to make room for an extensive beginner’s area expansion project.

The new beginner terrain will be located in front of the base lodge and will offer four acres that will feature two surface lifts for skiers and riders who are learning the sports.

Add to that a new intermediate (Blue) trail on the mountain’s west peak. Windham will increase its overall trail count to 51 for the 2013-14 season.

The resort’s snowmaking system is also undergoing major changes with more than $1.5 million in infrastructure upgrades. The system has been upgraded over the past few years and is now undergoing a core system upgrade.

Four high-efficiency compressors will replace the nine current compressors and a mid-mountain booster pump will increase the quantity of snow made on the top of the 3,100-foot mountain.

Since its acquisition several years ago from the previous owner group, Windham Mountain has invested $1 million in the Windham Country Club. Construction is in progress on five holes with irrigation that will be finished with sod and is expected to be ready for play by Labor Day.

A new course bridge is being built across the Batavia Kill and the clubhouse is also newly renovated with the addition of Windham’s newest restaurant, Mulligan’s Pub.

Other improvements at the mountain include 37 new and refurbished fan guns, remodeling of the Mountain Sports Boot Lab, the Wheelhouse Mid-Mountain Lodge upgrades, and more shuttles.

Windham is less than a half hour from Exit 21 of the New York Thruway. www.windhammountain.com.

**** **** **** ****

Parking in New York, especially Manhattan, can be as frustrating as trying to figure out that last calculus exam you had in college…and never studied for. And that’s not even mentioning the expense.

A new system can take some of the headache out of it, and reduce the stress and tension.

Want to catch a show, cheer your favorite team, have dinner at a nice restaurant? All you have to do now is log onto a new app, PANGO, and instantly reserve a parking space.

The new app permits drivers to select a parking space from an extensive list of garages in New York. Open the app, pick a location near your destination, and when you arrive there is a space guaranteed for you. Continuing with modern technology, you can even pay the parking fee via credit card on the PANGO app.

Through with dinner, shopping, the show or athletic event? All you have to do is log back into PANGO and inform the garage that you are on the way. When you arrive, your car will be up front and waiting for you.

Taking it a step further, in addition to eliminating the need to carry a pocket full of change or losing your credit card in a munimeter station, PANGO will permit you to pay electronically. You can also track how much time is left on the meter through the home page and avoid expensive overtime parking tickets.

Sweetening the deal a bit, PANGO users are given a list of coupons that can be redeemed for discounts at stores across New York City.

Go to http://www.pango-parking.com/ for further info.