Loch Lomond Ski Area gets new owners

A new owner atThunder Bay's Loch LomondSki Area will mean a few changes including adding more summer friendly activities.

Skico Development Inc.,headed up by Jason Gerryand Grant Brodeur, will begin improving Loch Lomond by adding mountain-biking trails for the summer and extras for the winter.

"Continue to enhance what's existing now with a little bit of trail cutting and some contouring of some of the runs on the hill to make it a little more exciting for the skiers,"Gerrysaid.

Gerry said they are notplanning anything too extreme in the next few years.

"It certainly is a ski area for the meantime," he said. "There's no grandiose plans - we're not planning on putting in a hotel or accommodation at any point in the next couple of years."

Loch Lomond has 14 trails, and three chairlifts, plus tubing chutes.

Thunder Bay used to have five ski hills, including Candy Mountain, Little Norway and the Mount McKay Ski Area. Only Loch Lomond and Mount Baldy remain open.

Gerry said his grandfather and great uncle built one of the first T-bars at Loch Lomond.

Ward Bond had owned and operated the area sincethe mid-1970s. He also owned Candy Mountain until its closure in 2002.