Services

We assist governments and private companies identify the most suitable sites for mountain resort developments. We study large areas extending entire mountain ranges, or even an entire country, and conduct what we call the “Golden Analysis”: a planning methodology that analyzes topography to identify areas that are best suited for both ski and base area development. Golden Analyses can inform large-scale regional mountain tourism studies, guide policy, economic investment, and a region’s overall tourism strategy.

Connecting adjacent ski resorts, or distinct ski zones within the same resort, is an effective strategy for growing business and creating a more attractive destination.  We have worked with numerous resorts worldwide on analyzing and planning efficient lift connections that contribute to a bigger, more diverse ski product. A Connection Study involves careful selection of lift equipment type, capacity, ski slope design and an overall assessment of the implications of the new movement of skiers to the resort. 

Once the master plan is complete, we can provide detailed site planning for real estate developments including layout of roads, pedestrian paths, buildings, landscaping and ski-in/ski-out access. A real estate site plan illustrates a realistic development yield for each parcel and is used as a basis for approvals, engineering and architectural design.    

We specialize in grading and earthworks for ski trails, lift terminals, mountain access roads and other on-mountain facilities. AutoCAD Civil 3D is used to calculate detailed cut and fill volumes for grading projects, balancing earthworks projects with no excess material required or transported off-site. Our lift terminal grading plans consider optimal skier flow, efficient queuing in a specialized skier maze, and a comfortable approach to the lift loading zone. Overall, our grading plans have helped clients reduce costs through efficient construction and operation while creating high quality, industry-leading experiences for skiers.

Indoor ski areas provide people with a skiing and snow experience in urban, flat or warm parts of the world, and technological advancements in snowmaking and cooling systems are increasing these facilities’ popularity. Some indoor resorts are built on flat ground, creating elevation for snowsliding sports through a built structure; others are built on existing sloped ground to minimize the cost and difficulty of the structural support needed. We have experience working with both types of indoor facilities, and our scope is to ensure that slope gradients and critical dimensions for the projected market are provided. 

We have extensive experience in the planning and design of snow play facilities, including snow tubing and other non ski or snowboard related activities. We design functional areas that balance guest safety and operational efficiency, working with snowmaking suppliers to suit the site. Well planned snowtubing facilities provide a safe, fun and exhilarating experience for guests by providing a suitable amount of vertical and sensation of speed, while also providing an appropriate amount of finish area. Hourly throughput with a minimum of staffing required are fundamental elements of a profitable tubing operation which is dependant on design.

Our campground and RV park designs embrace our client’s vision and tailors the layout to enhance existing features and key design elements to create exceptional camping experiences.  As master planners, we incorporate various site options for RV’ing, tenting, glamping, and cabin or chalet units to provide variety within the master plan, in addition to amenities, services, and recreational uses. Whether improving on an existing site, expanding or developing an entirely new campground, we help bring our client’s the vision to life.

The mountain bike industry has exploded in recent years, bringing a vibrant era of bike park development worldwide. Mountain resorts looking to grow summer business have leaned into this trend and bike park development is growing. Our master plans identify the most suitable areas for developing mountain biking trails and assess lift capacity relative to trail capacity to ensure demand is balanced. Our Bike Park Master Plans can be used for approvals and as a basis for design and construction by specialized trail planners. 

Golf continues to be a cornerstone summer activity at mountain resorts and real estate developments. At the master plan level, golf courses are integrated into real estate developments and other recreation facilities such as cross-country skiing and green space. A diverse array of golf-related activities such as mini golf, disc golf, indoor training facilities and pitch and put courses can be considered, and a specialized architect can prepare a detailed course design once the golf facility has been defined by our team’s master plan. 

Water Parks, and the more recent dynamic wave surf parks, offer an exciting and positive complement to the recreational offerings at mountain resorts. Integrating these large facilities early into the master plan design process is crucial to ensuring optimal operation and success, providing year-round water-based amenities. Our knowledge of the recent technological innovations for water and surf parks helps us advise and recommend the most appropriate facilities for our client’s projects.