Steamboat Finalists
Three companies are vying for ownership of Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp., which was put up for sale by the American Skiing Company last spring. The owners of Okemo Mountain Resort, Vt., an investment firm called Goldner Hawn Johnson and Morrison of Minneapolis and Babcock and Brown, another investment firm based in San Francisco, are all in the running. Representatives of the companies involved would not comment.
Resort industry analysts have said Steamboat could sell for between $125 million and $155 million.
From Canadian Ski Council: “Our Thoughts Are With You”
In the course of its annual Symposium at Tremblant, Quebec, this September, the Canadian Ski Council issued a message of understanding and solidarity in the aftermath of the events of September 11 “to our American ski and snowboard friends from your Canadian ski and snowboard friends.”
Signed by the CSC board and staff, as well as by all delegates to the symposium, the presentation was made by Jimmie Spencer, CSC Chair, who spoke movingly as an ex-military man on the horrors that had been visited on New York and Washington.
Tenney Owner Pursuing Sale
According to Tenney Mountain, N.H., GM Hans Witte, the ski area’s owner, Wilkinson Corporation, is “still hopeful that it will open for the 2002-2003 ski season under new ownership.” Since a local group pulled out of a deal to purchase and open Tenney this season because it couldn’t raise the cash necessary by selling shares to local investors, Wilkinson has mothballed the ski area and is pursuing other possible buyers. Tenney’s current owner, based in Yakima, Wash., might negotiate a new purchase agreement with the local investment group and is reviewing its plans to hold on to and develop real estate around the base. There are about 420 acres of developable land on which currently sit 107 condominium units.
Sugarbush Sold
American Skiing Company (ASC) announced that it has sold Sugarbush Resort, Vt., to Summit Ventures NE, Inc., a company formed by a group of local investors.
ASC did not release the terms of the sale, calling them “confidential,” but did say that proceeds will be used to reduce ASC’s debt. The transaction is expected to close by the start of the ski season.
Deer Valley Wins Top Spot
For the first time, Deer Valley has been rated the number one resort in North America by SKI magazine readers.
In recent years, Vail has been the consistent winner, except for 1999 when Whistler/Blackcomb took the honor. Deer Valley has consistently placed high, with a number-two position last year, and is now the first Utah resort to be recognized by SKI readers as “the best.”
Intrawest and East-West Vie for Winter Park
The Denver Mayor’s office announced it had narrowed the field of candidates to become partners in helping run Winter Park Resort to East-West Partners, Inc., and Intrawest Corporation. The field was trimmed from six companies that had answered a Request for Qualifications in the city’s search for a partner. The six groups included the final two as well as Okemo, Vt., Powdr Corp., Hines Resorts and Grand Elk Partners.
Intrawest and East-West Partners have until November 9 to submit final proposals. The search committee is then expected to pick a final candidate in mid December to engage in final negotiations for a management partnership.
The plan is to bring the resort up to snuff with other, more competitive privately owned resorts. It has been estimated that the resort needs an infusion of $61 million to make it a viable player.
Australian Ski Team Stranded
The financial collapse of One.Tel, one of Australia’s major new telecommunications suppliers, has left the nation’s ski team without a ride to Salt Lake City for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The team’s organizing arm, Skiing Australia, says it needs a $350,000 ($187,000 US) sponsor or competitors will be forced to pay up to $40,000 ($21,300 US) to compete. The team’s sponsorship manager Stephen Lee says the squad of up to 12 skiers may have to consider not going to the Games.
Real Estate Group to Buy Red Mountain
The Ontario real estate developer Wilson-McLean was working on closing the deal to purchase Red Mountain, B.C., at presstime. It would be the developer’s first acquisition in the ski industry, though they do have experience as a partner with Intrawest in building village properties at Blue Mountain, Ont. This past summer, Red Mountain received approval of its seven-phase master plan, increasing access to government land for future development, and was about to get a second review of its development plan for the base area from the local planning board. Wilson-McLean was expected to make a final decision on the purchase by October 31.
ASC Hires MeriStar to Run Hotels
American Skiing Company announced in August that it hired MeriStar Hotels and Resorts to oversee operations of its lodging properties. Under the terms of the agreement, MeriStar will provide management of all eight of ASC’s Grand Summit Resort Hotels, the majority of its resort condominium operations and other properties. All accommodation managers and staff members will remain employees of the individual resorts. The negotiations for a possible management agreement began shortly after the companies withdrew their proposed merger agreement in March.
Temple Mountain Shuttered
The owners of Temple Mountain, N.H., citing a change in personal plans and the expense associated with making further improvements, have decided to sell the facility. Co-owner Peter Martin said additional snowmaking, an electrical upgrade for the lifts and lighting are among necessary upgrades for the area located just north of Peterborough. It has 600 feet of vertical, 16 trails, 85 percent snowmaking coverage on 45 skiable acres, a fixed-grip quad, a double, two ropetows and a base elevation of 1,484 feet.
A few interested parties have come knocking on the ski area’s door, expressing interest in purchasing the 352-acre resort, and at least one suitor was scheduled to meet with owners at presstime to discuss particulars.
Slopes Close at Hawksnest
The ownership of Hawksnest Golf and Ski Resort announced it was permanently closing its skiing and snowboarding operations because of a “financial disaster” brought on by the local police department.
According to resort President Leonard Cottom, an overzealous Seven Devils Police Department was engaged in a two-year campaign to catch speeders and drunk drivers on the ski area’s access road and that caused ticket sales for a once-popular night skiing operation to plummet. Cottom said the resulting loss of revenue would spell “financial suicide” if Hawksnest tried to run its two chairlifts and two surface lifts this season.
In the meantime, the resort’s lawsuit claiming damage to the operation was caused by the town and its police department is in the district Court of Appeals awaiting action. Management is currently planning to open solely as a tubing operation this winter using one of the resort’s double chairs and lanes that run approximately 600 feet long.
Sugar Loaf Reopens
A year-and-a-half after it closed, Sugar Loaf Resort, Mich., opened for the Labor Day weekend with new management.
The resort closed in March 2000 after a string of bad snow seasons and problems attracting business groups after the state denied an application for a liquor license two years ago.
In June, the bank holding the note on the property sued to foreclose on a $3,039,412 mortgage, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Under foreclosure laws, the bank would have the right to put the property up for sale by auction if the debt is not paid within six months. Now, the owners are banking on getting lifts and grounds in shape in time for the coming season.
Brighton and Solitude Offer Combined Ticket
Brighton and Solitude ski areas will offer a single ticket to ski or snowboard both areas this season.
The “SolBrighton” connection will cost $59 and guests will have access to both resorts via a groomed trail that connects Solitude’s Summit Chair with Brighton’s Evergreen Chair. The combined skiable acreage will be 2,050 acres. Future plans include a chairlift that is currently pending a U.S. Forest Service approval in Solitude’s new Master Plan that would allow easier access to both.
Obits
Diana Golden Brosnihan, who won three World Championship gold medals and 19 U.S. Championship gold medals in eight years as a member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, died in August after a battle with breast cancer. She was 38.
Donations in Golden’s memory can be made to the Golden Opportunities Fund, c/o Disabled Sports USA, 451 Hungerford Dr., #100, Rockville, MD 20850.
Mason Beekley, founder of the International Skiing History Association (ISHA) and of its quarterly publication, Skiing Heritage, died in August at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., after a long battle with cancer. He was 75.
Pauline “Paulie” Hannah, scion of a famous New England ski family, died October 2 at the age of 84. A promising racer in the late 1930s, she contracted polio in 1949 and was effectively made a quadriplegic. Married to Hall of Famer Sel Hannah, Paulie was mother of Olympic racer, Joan.
People
The U.S. Forest Service appointed Tom Thompson National Forest System deputy chief.
Melissa Roberts was hired as director of marketing and communications for Shawnee Peak Ski Area, Maine.
Ski New Hampshire elected a new slate of officers and board of directors. The chairman is Rick Kelley of Loon Mountain, vice chairman is Bob Hoyt of King Pine Ski Area and Greg Goddard, of Gunstock, has been elected treasurer. Rounding out the board of directors are Tom Day of Waterville Valley, Tom Chasse of Attitash Bear Peak, Jay Gamble of Mount Sunapee, Chris Elms of Bretton Woods, John Fichera of Black Mountain, Kris Blomback of Pats Peak, Dick Harris of The Balsams Wilderness and Thom Perkins of Jackson Touring Foundation.
Mad River Glen, Vt., hired Jamey Wimble to replace Bob Ackland as general manager. Ackland resigned to lead a group of locals in the purchase of Sugarbush Resort. Ackland will be president of Sugarbush and Tom McHugh, CEO of Summit Ventures, will become VP of sales and marketing. Missy Shea will become director of skier services. . .Molly Mahar Kerr left Vermont Ski Areas Association to join the marketing department at Tubbs Snowshoes.
Dale Vander Voort was appointed director of the ski and snowboard school at Brodie Mountain, Mass.
Ski Roundtop, Pa., promoted Jim Garling to general manager.
Colorado Ski Country USA announced that Pat O’Donnell, president and CEO of Aspen Skiing Company, succeeds Andy Daly as the association’s new chairman. The marketing group also created two new positions and named John Chrisbens director of brand development and sales and Patrick Turner as manager of interactive services. . .Scott Fortner moved from Loveland Ski Area to Durango Mountain Resort to become marketing director. . .Winter Park named Kate Roberts communications coordinator.
Park City Mountain Resort, Utah, named Michelle Palmer to the position of communications manager.
Kathleen Sullivan was promoted to group sales coordinator at Taos, N.M.
A corporate reorganization at Big Mountain, Mont., resulted in some changes: Michele Reese was promoted to VP of operations, Craig Cook was appointed director of development and planning, and Chester Powell and Dave Lawrence were promoted to become operations managers.
Mountain High, Calif., appointed Suzanne Kosalka retail manager and Scott Ciufo lift operations manager. . . Tyson Baird was appointed director of communications for Snow Summit Mountain Resort. Brian Bressel was promoted to GM of Sierra Summit Mountain Resort.
Christopher Nicolson has left Sun Peaks Resort, B.C., to become public relations and communications manager at Whistler-Blackcomb.
Supplier News
K&K Insurance has added three new underwriting companies to help it write policies for its expanding products liability program for the motorsports, sports and amusement industries.
This season, SnoCountry Mountain Reports will serve as the snow conditions reporting service for Cross-Country Ski Areas Association member areas.
Citing financial trouble, Paulsen Wire Rope, has ended operations.
Supplier Personnel
Areco Snowsystem has appointed Simon Dickens to its Swedish headquarters as sales manager.
Alain Brunelle has been appointed VP and general manager of Bombardier utility vehicles division. The company also promoted Dave Ensign to regional manager for the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, named Dominique Piché sales rep for Eastern Canada and northern New England, named Kurt Wisell, formerly of Kassbohrer, sales rep for western New England and John Searle to be sales rep for eastern New England. The company also promoted Alain Bombardier to service supervisor for eastern North America, reporting to Donald Cleary, who has been promoted to service coordinator for the region.
Gary Fleming resigned as VP of sales at Karhu to become director of marketing at Head Tyrolia Winter Sports.
Anke Corbin was named assistant consumer marketing director by Time4 Media. Mountain Sports Media named Stefanie Luciano to the position of marketing director.
The new Dolomite/Elan/Nitro group announced executive appointments: Dan McKenna is VP of sales and marketing, Jurka Duba is sales manager, Bill Irwin is VP for resort and rental sales, Mike Curtis is product manager, Kiki Heffelstein is marketing coordinator, Phil Salzano is race technician and Rob McCutcheon is division manager for Nitro snowboards.
