The sound of chainsaws can be heard in the woods west of Choteau in Montana, USA where three investors, one from New Zealand and two Americans, purchased ski area a few weeks ago.

The trio plan to invest $3m over the next two years to bring resort infrastructure up to modern standards and improve terrain, which local workers are currently clearing of five foot high scrub using a rented near $400,000 machine to cut the accumulated brush beneath the chairlift something like a lawn mower through grass.

The owners plan to add 250 acres of skiing and 400 feet of vertical for the coming winter, increasing both by nearly half on the existing area. Two planned new T Bar lifts will run from the top of the existing chairlift will extend the vertical and provide access to a new area in a neighbouring valley.

The ski area, which had been closed for some time, has natural assets including a 6.5m (22 feet) average annual snowfall and its reopening is being warmly welcomed by locals.