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High Chaparral launches pilot project: Ambition to run fossil-free steam locomotives by 2023
In connection with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's visit to the Wild West park High Chaparral on Tuesday, the Småland theme park told about the company's ongoing pilot project with the ambition to run steam locomotives fossil-free as early as summer 2023.
For many of High Chaparral's guests, a trip on a steam locomotive is a must-do during their visit to the theme park. Each year, 130,000 guests are transported through the park by steam locomotives powered by a total of 40 tons of coal.
The idea of creating a more environmentally friendly alternative has been around for the past few years, and with coal becoming increasingly scarce, at quadruple the price, the idea of powering the locomotives with a more environmentally friendly alternative was raised over the summer.
High Chaparral recently started a pilot project where the company is now testing steam locomotives that run on briquettes made from pressed wood chips, a by-product of timber production, instead of coal.
A project that so far looks very promising, and with the same authentic experience.
- We are very pleased with the results so far and have every reason to believe that we will reach the goal of running fossil-free next year. During the first tests, the steam locomotive has been chugging around the park with the same speed and strength as with coal, and the next big test will be with wagons filled with guests. The project is truly an example of how green transition can be both better for the environment and better for the bank account," says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO.
Film on steam locomotives powered by wood shavings
High Chaparral gears up for the high season: Premiere of the Wild West traveling circus company and evening entertainment with international and Swedish artists
For the high season that starts tomorrow, High Chaparral is gearing up with brand new features. This year's big news is the Fitcher Sisters Traveling Circus and Variety Show, a traveling circus company with elements of aerial acrobatics and singing, magic tricks and sword swallowing. After the park closes, country music awaits outside the saloon and at the campground.
New this year, a group of nationally and internationally acclaimed musical artists will perform around the park with elements of acrobatics, magic and song.
- We are very proud to be able to present such a well-qualified group of performers here at High Chaparral. With experience from stages around the world, such as the world-famous Cirque de Soleil, our very own circus company here in the Wild West is guaranteed to amaze and astound our guests," says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO.
This year, High Chaparral is also investing heavily in evening entertainment. Every night until August 13, this year's evening entertainment outside the Cheyenne Saloon and at the campground will be country music. This year's performers include Doug Adkins, an American country artist from Montana.
The initiative is part of High Chaparral's Back to basics to the new normal, where High Chaparral once again presents action-packed Shows mixed with new elements based on lessons learned and experiences from two seasons marked by the pandemic when ingenuity and creative solutions made it possible for 2021 to be High Chaparral's best year ever.
High Chaparral's less plastic in the park initiative: Powder kegs - the sustainability news of the year - are a big hit in the Wild West
Many firecrackers are used in the Småland Wild West. In previous years, the plastic has often ended up on the ground, but this year there is a marked difference in the park. To reduce plastic in the park, High Chaparral has placed 50 powder kegs in the park and at the campsite. The initiative has paid off, and High Chaparral is now ordering more powder kegs.
- Plastic has been a recurring problem year after year, but this year we are proud to see how much cleaner and nicer the park is. It is clear that especially the younger generation wants to contribute to a more sustainable environment, and it is with great pleasure that I every day see children who, together with their parents, put the gunpowder containers in our new gunpowder bins, says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO.
Movie about High Chaparral's powder kegs
High Chaparral further develops store concept: Pandemic measure becomes permanent experience store
Last year's emergency Young Guns Warehouse has evolved over the winter into a 1,000 square meter experience store filled with Wild West props and twice as many checkouts. The measure is taken to improve the customer experience while reducing the risk of queuing and congestion.
Due to current restrictions on retail locations, High Chaparral quickly moved its sales of Wild West equipment from a small store to a warehouse High Chaparral year. During the winter months, the 1,000-square-meter space has now been transformed into a Wild West-inspired experience store filled with props that reflect the era commonly known as the Wild West in the second half of the 17th century in America.
For the summer, High Chaparral is doubling the number of ticket offices to reduce the risk of queues. At the same time, this year the possibility of pre-booking Wild West equipment for pick-up in the park is further developed.
- "In many ways, the pandemic has helped us improve our operations to ensure that visitors have the best possible experience. The development from a spartanly furnished warehouse to Barnvästern is an example of something we might never have thought of if it hadn't been for the pandemic," says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO.
High Chaparral will open its doors for the next season on May 26, 2022. High Chaparral will retain pre-sales and a daily visitor limit to reduce the risk of crowding and queuing.
Film about the development from Young Guns Warehouse to Barnvästern Main street
High booking pressure at High Chaparral: Almost four times higher booking level during Easter weekend compared to last year
At High Chaparral , bookings for the summer are at an all-time high. During the Easter weekend, the level of bookings has been almost four times as high as during Easter last year.
- Right now, it is mainly accommodation in our cabins, caravans and at our campsite that is being secured for the summer," says Mathias Bergendahl, CEO of High Chaparral.
Overall, the booking level is 43% higher compared to the same period last year ahead of the record summer of 2021.
- Booking patterns are different this year compared to last year. Before the pandemic, the Easter weekend was a strong booking weekend when many families and travel groups plan their summer vacations. What we are seeing this year is likely a return to the previous booking trend now that the pandemic has changed shape. The return of a more traditional show offering after two summers marked by the pandemic combined with our ongoing advertising campaign certainly also contributes to the rapid increase in bookings we are now seeing," says Mathias Bergendahl.
High Chaparral will retain advance booking in order to limit the number of visitors to the park. This measure is taken to improve the customer experience by reducing the risk of queuing and congestion. In 2021, High Chaparral set a new visitor record with a total of 173,545 guests.
High Chaparral opened new booking system today - retains advance purchase and visitor limit
Today, High Chaparral launched a new booking system with the ability to book accommodation, entrance tickets and Wild West equipment for pick-up in the park in one booking flow.
- We have based our approach on the customer's wishes and the experience we want to offer our guests throughout the digital journey, with the overall goal of creating a simpler and smoother booking process," says Maja Welandson, Guest Services and Accommodation Manager at High Chaparral.
The new features include a number of functions requested by High Chaparral guests. Now the
includes the possibility to book a specific cabin or campsite and a clearer overview of available accommodation and number of booked guests per day. The new booking system offers additional payment options than before, with card payment, swish, invoice and installment options.
Last season, High Chaparral introduced an online shop with the possibility of picking up products such as hats and other Wild West equipment at the entrance. The initiative was a success and this year it is possible to book accommodation, entrance tickets and Wild West equipment in the same booking flow.
- The possibility to buy toys in advance for pick-up was one of the measures we took to reduce the risk of queuing. It was much appreciated and therefore we continue to invest in this solution," says Maja Welandson.
High Chaparral will retain advance booking in order to limit the number of visitors to the park. This measure is taken to improve the customer experience by reducing the risk of queuing and congestion.
High Chaparral's new reservation system is supplied by the Danish system supplier CompuSoft A/S. In addition to the reservation system, CompuSoft provides digital food ordering and restaurant cash registers.
Press contact:
Mathias Bergendahl, CEO
mathias.bergendahl@highchaparral.se
0370-827 38