Poley Mountain
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Poley Mountain is an alpine ski resort located just outside of the town of Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada. The mountain is located in a small locale called Waterford just 10km outside of the town, and provides some of the best skiing and snowboarding in Atlantic Canada. The mountain has 23 trails and has a lift system which consists of a fixed-grip quad chairlift, a t-bar, 2 handle-surface lifts, in addition to a newly installed conveyer lift (often referred to as a Magic Carpet).
Poley is one of only four ski areas in all of New Brunswick and caters to an audience which mainly consists of guests from the two largest metropolitan centres in New Brunswick (Moncton and Saint John) as well as guests from all points in between including Sussex itself.
[edit] Poley's Resurgence
The mountain has had a resurgence of sorts since 1999 when the mountain was nearly closed permanently due to its unsustainable nature. However, a group of local investors rescued the mountain from a certain death and has operated it to this very day. Ever since the takeover, all profits have been invested back into on mountain improvements drawing a steady stream of season pass holders ever since. New trails have been cut in addition to vast improvements in snowmaking capabilities which has paid dividends, in '05–06 in particular. A terrain park was created and has been maintained as well as a half-pipe in addition to the purchase of equipment to maintain it.
The mountain has succeeded in making skiing and snowboarding an affordable sport for southern New Brunswicker's as an adult season pass can cost as little as $229.00 (CDN). Poley has a very vibrant ski and board school as well catering to children as young as 4 in addition to older adults. Poley's Christmas break and March break "kid's camps" are popular with parents as well as their participating children.
[edit] Expansion Plans
More recently Poley Mountain has purchased the assets of a ski resort in Newfoundland (Copper Creek) which had recently shut down. Among the assets are a fixed-grip triple chairlift (slated for installation in the summer of 2008) and a surface lift commonly referred to as a platter lift. Snowmaking pipeline is also included in the assets and will be installed on trails that do not currently have snowmaking lines. The new chairlift is expected to open with 5 new trails serving primarily beginners and novices alike. The new lift will help alleviate the long lift lines that are commonplace on weekends and holidays at the mountain as well as opening up much needed beginner and training terrain.
