Skiers and riders at Ohio’s Brandywine Resort have all the services they need. But, they have to access them scattered about in three buildings. No more. 

Peak Resorts, owners of Brandywine and Boston Mills, its sister resort, announced plans this week to build a new 48,000-square-foot main base lodge at an estimated capital investment of $5 million. The lodge is planned for early November, 2012 completion.

“This is a very exciting time for BMBW as this new facility will be able to get our guests on the snow quicker and will have much more space for them to relax between runs or when their day is finished,” Brandywine’s Steve Mackle told SnoCountry.com. “This new lodge shows that Boston Mills/Brandywine and Peak Resorts will continue to provide our guests with the best possible skiing experience for years to come.”

All skier and rider services will be contained in the new facility, including ticket windows, a 10,000-square-foot rental area, restrooms, and retail shop. A new cafeteria, bar, and seating area more than double the current capacity. It is located on the second floor.

Contributing to the local economy is important, particularly today, so Brandywine operators will choose a local building contractor for the design and implementation of the building. 

“For Peak Resorts to make this major commitment with a new state-of-the-art base lodge shows how much it values this resort and the guests who have been so loyal to it for decades” said Boston Mills/Brandywine General Manager Vinnie Lewis. Peak’s Chief Operating Officer Jesse Boyd said a similar project in New Hampshire showed how much guests appreciated the all-in-one location of services.

A panorama of the mountain can be seen from the restaurant and bar through large glass windows. A patio and sundeck will be accessible from both the ground and second floor levels and extends the entire length of the building. There will be plenty of outdoor seating.

Construction will begin once the season ends, but there’s a nice twist to the story. Brandywine officials are working with the Northfield Fire Department to use the existing base facilities for a two-week training exercise prior to the final demolition.

The training period offers a rare and valuable opportunity for local fire departments to practice in large multi-level structures.

The new base lodge announcement came on the heels of details of Summit Season Pass sales that offer unlimited skiing and riding at Brandywine and Boston Mills for the remainder of the 2012 season and entire 2012/2013 season.  

Pass sales run Feb. 21-April 30 and are the most deeply discounted passes available. The first 500 people to purchase a Summit Season Pass will be invited to the Grand Opening celebration of the new main base lodge in November. There also will also be weekly prize raffles during the six weeks that Summit Passes are on sale.

Brandywine typically focuses on late afternoon and evening skiing midweek, operating from 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (10 p.m. Fridays), and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays (9 p.m. Sundays). Boston Mills operates both day and evening hours every day. The two resorts are located about five minutes apart by car and are accessed via I-77, I-271, Route 8, I-80/Ohio Turnpike, Route 82, Route 21 and Route 303. Lift tickets and passes are valid at either area.

What It Means: Another important upgrade at a popular Midwest ski area (actually two ski areas a snowball’s throw apart) with a loyal following. Peak Resorts continues to invest in improvements to its family of 12 resorts in New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri.

Rendering: New Brandywine Base Lodge