Eden, UT (Wednesday, October 19, 2005) -

Utah's former Nordic Valley Ski Area is preparing for its first season under new ownership as Wolf Mountain. (photo: Ski Utah)

Wolf Mountain is preparing for its first ski and snowboard season since the former Nordic Valley Ski Resort was purchased by nearby Wolf Creek Resort in June. A number of mountain improvements will be showcased at the ski area's first-ever Howl Fest Oct. 22-23.

Snowmaking now covers 55 of the resort's 85 acres of ski and snowboard terrain with a York snowmaking system. Other on-mountain improvements to the 1,000 vertical-foot ski area located east of Ogden include new beginner runs lit for night skiing, freshly painted lift towers, and re-contouring of the lower hill to be more friendly to beginner skiers and riders. Also enhancing the experience for brand-new skiers and snowboarders is the addition of a Magic Carpet lift system to augment the resort's two existing double chairlifts.

Off the mountain, the resort's parking lot is now paved, and extensive renovations to the “Barn” include new paint, carpet, bathrooms and an expanded dining area. This building will house the Ski & Ride School and the ski rental shop, which will be managed by Diamond Peak Mountain Sports of Eden. New landscaping also adorns the base area.

Despite the changes, Wolf Mountain will continue Nordic Valley's tradition of providing an affordable, family-friendly skiing and snowboarding alternative for locals and visitors alike. "Wolf Mountain offers the most affordable skiing and riding in the Rocky Mountain West," boasts Nancy Seraphin, the resort's Marketing and Sales Director. "It’s all about family, fun and affordability."

Wolf Mountain's lift rate card seems to support Seraphin's claims. An all-day adult lift ticket is priced at $20 every day, and junior all-day tickets are an affordable $15. Night skiing is priced at $15 per adult, $10 per junior. Children under 5 ski free with a paying adult anytime, and those over 55 and members of the military (the resort is close to the sprawling Hill Air Force Base) receive a 15% discount off daily lift tickets. A Monday Night Family Special allows four family members to ski from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. for $20, less than the cost of a night at the movies. Individual Monday Night tickets are $8.

Season Passes to ski or snowboard at Wolf Mountain are a similar bargain. An individual full season pass is priced at $180, and $45 for each additional child. In fact, a family of four (two adults and two children) can ski for the entire winter for an affordable $360. All season ticket prices quoted apply if purchased before Oct. 31; rates increase nominally thereafter.

Wolf Mountain will showcase the changes brought about by new ownership at its Howl Fest, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Oct. 22-23 at the base of the ski hill. Admittance is free. This fun festival, dedicated to the howling nature of wolves, will celebrate fall and kick off the ski and snowboard season with a resort job fair and season pass sales.

The Howl Fest will be held this coming Saturday and Sunday and feature the “Animals of Montana” wild animal show and contests featuring many prizes, including family season passes. Live music, a bounce castle, a climbing wall hosted by the Weber County Search & Rescue Dept. ($2 donation fund-raiser), artists and more will be on hand.