Major upgrades are happening at the Mt Van Hoevenberg sliding track, designed to boost sustainability, enhance the athlete and spectator experience, and improve accessibility for all! This major construction project brings a host of upgrades that will support our commitment to efficient operations and world-class competition.
A key highlight is the installation of a new refrigeration plant. The upgraded system will operate more safely and effectively, requiring less energy to maintain ice and fewer work hours to rebuild it during warm spells. Paired with newly designed roof and shade structures on multiple curves, these improvements will help shield the track from sun, wind, and rain, preserving ice conditions while offering a better viewing experience.
Spectators will also notice exciting new additions, including a series of viewing plazas with seating, lighting, and infrastructure for food trucks and event tents. Accessibility is a major priority as well, with new ADA-compliant ramps, walkways, and viewing areas, as well as accessible start areas that ensure more inclusive participation and enjoyment.
Additional upgrades include dark sky-compliant lighting, improved maintenance and emergency access, and infrastructure enhancements throughout the venue. Altogether, these projects reflect a forward-thinking investment in both the sport and the people who come to experience it.
Mt Van Hoevenberg is launching an innovative snow storage initiative that could reshape how we prepare for winter. The concept is simple but smart: produce snow during peak winter conditions, store it under insulating material like wood chips, and preserve it through the summer for early-season use. Come November, that snow can be uncovered and spread across the trails, jumpstarting the ski season regardless of weather.
If successful, this pilot program could mean that the snow you ski on one winter is the same snow waiting for you next season—an exciting step toward a more consistent and sustainable winter experience.