New York City-based skiers are in for a treat for this upcoming season, with the Catskills’ Hunter Mountain set to expand with five new runs and a high-speed six-seater chairlift. Thanks to a $9 million improvement plan, work is currently under way to open up the new zone to be called Hunter North.

The mountain, about two hours north of New York City, already has 58 trails on 240 acres and attracts around 300,000 visitors a year. The resort was recently bought by Peak Resorts after being under family ownership since 1959. This expansion is the first major move at the resort by its new owners. Hunter was built on a craggy mountainside once deemed inappropriate for a ski area and was one of the first mountains in the country to rely heavily on snowmaking for its annual snowpack.

With the $9 million improvement plan come a new parking lot and resort entrance from the west, ideally boosting commerce and reducing congestion coming to and from the mountain during peak hours.

“The support we’ve received for this project from the local community and our loyal guests has been phenomenal from the time it was announced,” said Russ Coloton, General Manager and President of Hunter Mountain. “This expansion of our skiable terrain will be felt both locally and regionally through increased visitors not only to our resort but across the surrounding communities, including local businesses.”

According to the official press release, the new trails will be predominately intermediate terrain and will connect existing trails.