Category: Ski Americas

Posted on

Vail Resorts Announces Pending Sale of Park City Mountain Base Area Site for Mixed-Use Project Development

Park City Town. Vail Resorts Announces Pending Sale of Park City Mountain Base Area Site for Mixed-Use Project Development.

Vail Resorts Announces Pending Sale of Park City Mountain Base Area Site for Mixed-Use Project Development

Vail Resorts today announced that it has entered into an agreement with PEG Companies, a Utah-based commercial real estate development and investment group, to sell and develop parcels of land currently used as surface parking lots at the base of Park City Mountain.

Park City skiing - photo: Scott Markewitz. Vail Resorts. Park City Town. Vail Resorts Announces Pending Sale of Park City Mountain Base Area Site for Mixed-Use Project Development.
Park City skiing – photo: Scott Markewitz. Vail Resorts. Park City Town. Vail Resorts Announces Pending Sale of Park City Mountain Base Area Site for Mixed-Use Project Development.

Subject to community input and an approval process by Park City Municipal Corp., the 10-acre site will feature a mixed-use project, including a full-service hotel and spa, residential units, commercial space for dining and retail, skier services, parking garages and community priorities such as improved access to public parking, traffic and transit improvements and on-site workforce housing.

“We are very excited to have found a development team that will work closely with the City and the community to carry out a vision for a vibrant base area,” said Bill Rock, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Park City Mountain. “We look forward to a collaborative partnership that will provide both our guests and Park City residents with an elevated experience at the base of Park City Mountain.”

Continue reading “Vail Resorts Announces Pending Sale of Park City Mountain Base Area Site for Mixed-Use Project Development”

Posted on

Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request

Eldora Mountain Resort. Photo Denver Post. Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort's expansion request.

Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request

From: WRAL.com

The U.S. Forest Service has granted Eldora’s request to add 62 acres (25 hectares) of skiable terrain.

The Daily Camera reports the project will include five new ski trails on Roosevelt National Forest land, as well as tree and gladed skiing. The resort also plans to build a four- or six-person high-speed lift and beef up its snow-making operations.

Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort's expansion request
Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request.

Eldora general manager Brent Tregaskis says the expansion in an area known as the Jolly Jug is “pretty exciting stuff” that has been a long time coming.

The resort northwest of Denver abandoned plans for improvements on its north side amid concerns they could imperil a watershed and a critical wildlife migration corridor.

It’s not yet clear when the new lift will be installed.

Continue reading “Forest Service grants Eldora ski resort’s expansion request”

Posted on

Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season

Squaw Valley Funicular - Alterra Mountain Resorts. Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season.

Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season

Preliminary 2018/19 numbers up nearly 11 percent over previous season

The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) announced today that skier visits to U.S. areas totaled over 59 million for the 2018/19 season. The preliminary number represents a nearly 11 percent increase over the 2017/18 season total of 53.3 million.

Teton Village - Jackson Hole. Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season.
Teton Village – Jackson Hole. Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season.

Abundant snowfall – up 31 percent nationwide over the previous season – and continued improvements to the guest experience contributed to increases in visitation in every region across the country. The 2018/19 season ranks as the fourth best since NSAA began recording visitation in 1978/79.

“Snow is our greatest asset and this year was one to remember,” said Kelly Pawlak, NSAA president and CEO. “Skiers and riders were greeted with an awesome on-snow experience. Continued investment in infrastructure, like chairlifts and snowmaking, make those days on the slopes even better.”

Visitation grew the most in the Pacific Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions, by 22.9 percent and 15.6 percent respectively over the previous season. While extreme winter storms provided some challenges in both regions, ultimately the snowy days proved a draw for powder-seeking skiers and snowboarders.

Total visitation numbers were highest in the Rocky Mountain region at over 24 million (a record year for the region), followed by the Northeast with approximately 12.7 million.

Continue reading “Skier Visits Top 59 Million in US Ski Areas for the 2018/19 Ski Season”

Posted on

Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019

Vail Village. Photo: Chris McLennan- Vail Resorts. Vail is the fourth resort on the list of Cheaphotels.org as the most expensive resorts to ski in the USA. The most expensive ski resorts in the USA.

Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019

Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today reported certain ski season metrics for the comparative periods from the beginning of the ski season through April 21, 2019, and for the prior year period through April 22, 2018. The reported ski season metrics are for their North American mountain resorts, and the metrics exclude results from our Australian resorts and their urban ski areas in both periods. The data mentioned in this release is interim period data and is subject to fiscal quarter end review and adjustments.

A family takes in the scenery and enjoys a day of skiing in Keystone, CO. Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019.
A family takes in the scenery and enjoys a day of skiing in Keystone, CO. Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019.
  • Season-to-date total lift ticket revenue at the Company’s North American mountain resorts, including an allocated portion of season pass revenue for each applicable period, was up 9.3% compared to the prior year season-to-date period.
  • Season-to-date ski school revenue was up 6.5% and dining revenue was up 7.0% compared to the prior year season-to-date period. Retail/rental revenue for North American resort store locations was up 6.2% compared to the prior year season-to-date period.
  • Season-to-date total skier visits for the Company’s North American mountain resorts were up 6.8% compared to the prior year season-to-date period.

Commenting on the ski season to date, Rob Katz, Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased with our overall results as the 2018/2019 North American ski season concludes, with strong growth in visitation and spending compared to the prior year. The results from the key holiday weeks through the spring were largely in line with our original expectations as we saw strong destination visitation following the challenging early season period. Our results throughout the 2018/2019 North American ski season highlight the growth and stability resulting from our season pass, the benefit of our geographic diversification, the investments we make in our resorts and the success of our sophisticated, data-driven marketing efforts.”

Continue reading “Vail Resorts Reports Certain Ski Season Metrics for the Season-to-Date Period Ended April 21, 2019”

Posted on

A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Mendoza Province

Photo: Valle de los Molles, in the same department of Malargue, but more near Las Leñas ski resort.

A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Mendoza Province in Argentina.

From Sitio Andino

A new ski resort project in Malargue will be located in the area of ​​Baños de El Azufre (Sulfur), in the Valenzuela River Valley, on Provincial Route 226 that leads towards the Planchón Vergara International Pass. The resort will consist of a mountain village with two thousand beds and six means of elevation. The place chosen by the investors guarantees five months of snow, with a base at two thousand four hundred meters above sea level, and a summit at four thousand meters.

A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Province of Mendoza, Argentina
A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Province of Mendoza, Argentina

José Beccar Varela, one of the investment partners said that the idea “is in a project phase, and they have the property title to be able to invest.”

“Meanwhile we continue to study the terrain,” and advance research on snow behaviour related avalanches, considering that the settlement of a mountain village is projected, and choose the exact location for the location.

Continue reading “A new ski resort project for Malargüe, Mendoza Province”

Posted on

Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.

Whistler was the site of MTS 2019. Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap. Photo courtesy of MTS.

Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.

Just came a couple of weeks ago from the Mountain Travel Symposium, an event I have been working for the past six years and which I enjoy every moment of it. I noticed however, that as I am getting old, it is taking me longer to feel back human again.

Trentino attendees having fun at the top of Whistler Mountain. Photo: Mirta Valentini - Trentino Marketing. Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.
Trentino attendees having fun at the top of Whistler Mountain. Photo: Mirta Valentini – Trentino Marketing. Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.

The Mountain Travel Symposium (MTS for short) is not a sprint, definitely is a marathon – An event that lasts one week and for me makes me be twelve days away from home from my husband and kids. MTS is the largest mountain and ski gathering of suppliers from all over the world – ski resorts, hoteliers and service providers, with tour operators that sell skiing, also from all over the world, and ski clubs and ski councils from the USA and Canada, that travel internationally.

I am in charge of the international market and on widening the international attendees year on year. This is a part-time, but yearlong job for me. Now I have a couple of weeks to get ready and close all things from this past event before we open the early bird registration for MTS 2020. MTS 2020 will be in Squaw Valley, at the Resort of Squaw Creek, in North Lake Tahoe, CA, USA from March 29 – April 4, 2020. In May we’ll be opening registration, with the best rates available for one month only. Then rates go up four times during the year, so whoever can register early, get rates that are USD 800 cheaper than the last published rates!

The French delegates at the Trade Exchange Reception. Photo: Mountain Travel Symposium. Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.
The French delegates at the Trade Exchange Reception. Photo: Mountain Travel Symposium. Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.

But, getting back to MTS 2019, the event was in Whistler, BC. Canada. We have been In Whistler also in 2015, but the event took the Fairmont in Blackcomb. This year the event was at the Whistler Village Conference Center. I was an attendee at MTS being at the same place in 2002, when I was having my own incoming tour operator Ski Patagonia, where I was selling trips to Argentina and Chile.

Continue reading “Mountain Travel Symposium 2019 in Whistler – a recap.”

Posted on

Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters

Cerro Bayo gondola - Photo courtesy of Roberto Thostrup- Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters.

Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters

Cerro Bayo in Villa La Angostura, Neuquén province in the Lake Region of Argentina, is to create a new chairlift departure, 100 meters higher than were it was before, now at 1,400 meters.

Excavating the ground to place the new start of the quad chairlift. Photo courtesy of Roberto Thostrup- Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters.
Excavating the ground to place the new start of the quad chairlift. Photo courtesy of Roberto Thostrup- Cerro Bayo. Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters.

This is due to the snow line getting higher over the years (the snow line is the linw from where the snow naturally falls each season). This chairlift is a double chairlift, that, even it is not new, it will modernise the area and give more uphill capacity, specially to the younger skiers. In this way, the resort of Cerro Bayo can secure the use of this ski circuit area at the end of its ski season in the month of September.

The ski season in Cerro Bayo goes from June 23rd to September 23rd, if snow conditions allow. Cerro Bayo is known as a boutique resort, with amazing views of the Lago Nahuel Huapi and proximity to Villa La Angostura, one of the more exclusive areas of the Lake Region in Patagonia with lovely hotels, cabins and gourmet restaurants. Close to the San Carlos de Bariloche airport, this small resort is for the discerning client that want something great for their families and something exclusive as well.

Continue reading “Cerro Bayo to create a new chairlift departure at 1400 meters”

Posted on

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

From KTVA

Next week, hundreds of snowmobiles will descend upon the Hoodoo Mountains north of Paxson for the annual Arctic Man event, and avalanche forecasters want them to know that conditions are especially unpredictable this spring.

“The mountains are shedding.” warned Debra McGhan of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center. “It might be stable in the morning, but by afternoon things are letting go.”

Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man
Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man

On Saturday, two brothers were buried in an avalanche while riding not far from where Arctic Man takes place. No one was hurt, but it was a reminder of the dangers.

It’s a transitional year for Arctic Man, which will not be hosting its classic ski races this year. The unusual race has been held nearly every year since 1986, but interest has slowed. After 33 years, the popular Arctic Man Race of teams of two – a skier and a snowmobile, is ending.  The race had the skier in each team, going down the mountain, being towed by the snowmobile uphill again and then skiing back down for a second time.

Continue reading “Dangerous avalanche conditions are expected ahead of Arctic Man”

Posted on

Eldora Mountain’s Expansion is approved by Gilpin County

Eldora Mountain Resort ski map. Eldora Mountain’s Expansion is approved by Gilpin County.

Eldora Mountain’s Expansion is approved by Gilpin County

From the Mountain Ear

Gilpin County. Eldora Mountain Resort requested approval of a Special Use Permit for the expansion of Eldora Ski Resort into northern Gilpin County on March 5, 2019, at the Gilpin County Courthouse. The proposal included construction of a lift return and a lift operator building, on property owned by Tolland Ranch, LLC. The owner has given written consent and approval to this application.

During the hearing, the Community Development Director, Stephen Strohminger, said that there would be no new roads that this development would incur, and no vehicular traffic of any kind will be present except for heavy equipment when needed for maintenance. No impacts to water quality or quantity are expected.

Eldora Mountain Resort's sign. Eldora Mountain’s Expansion is approved by Gilpin County.
Eldora Mountain Resort’s sign. Eldora Mountain’s Expansion is approved by Gilpin County.

The USFS Rocky Mountain Region has conducted an environmental impact report and has approved this project. The proposed Jolly Jug Lift is expected to be approximately 3,250 feet in length with half of the line in Gilpin County, and a structure to house a composting toilet system.

The bottom of the proposed lift is approximately 4.5 miles from Highway 119 and 1.6 miles to the south to Tolland Road, as the crow flies. No negative visual impacts to views and vistas are expected based on the information given.

The new lift would provide access to existing runs on the front and back side of Eldora and additional intermediate and expert level terrain on the south side of the mountain. Eldora General Manager Brent Tregaskis said, “This lift really fills that void at a very high level.” Skiers would be able to ride the Sundance Chair, ski down to the Jolly Jug Lift, and ride to the top of the ridge.”

Continue reading “Eldora Mountain’s Expansion is approved by Gilpin County”

Posted on

Saddleback ski area might get back in business with another new prospective buyer

Saddleback ski area might get back in business with another new prospective buyer

The purchase price was not disclosed. The ski area has been closed since 2015.

From the Portland Press Herald

An investment firm from Boston has made an offer to buy Saddleback Mountain, stating that they’ll invest between $25 million to $30 million after the sale to help restart the Rageley ski resort, now closed for four years.

Saddleback ski area
Saddleback ski area might get back in business with another new prospective buyer.

The property is owned by the Berry family. The details of what Arctaris Impact Fund is offering to the Berry family has been disclosed in an email to the owners of Saddleback condos. The email was sent by Andy Shepard, CEO of the Outdoors Sports Institute and Tom Federle, a Portland attorney who have been working with Arctaris trying to purchase the ski area.

Saddleback was Maine’s third largest ski resort offering lots of local jobs and drawing thousands of tourists each winter while it was opened.

Shepard would not confirm the terms and conditions of the purchase – only that the $500 million investment group wants to buy the ski mountain and can afford it. The purchase price was not disclosed.

“Tom Federle and I have been quietly trying to find a buyer for the mountain for the last four years and connected with Arctaris last fall. We have been very impressed with their commitment and capacity to not only buy the mountain but doing so with a long-term view to make the mountain successful,” said Shepard, the former CEO of the Maine Winter Sports Center, in an email Friday. “Arctaris is the real deal and I’m hopeful for the Berry family and for the people of western Maine that we can get a deal done.”

Saddleback ski area might get back in business with another new prospective buyer.
Saddleback ski area might get back in business with another new prospective buyer.

Federle owns a condo in Saddleback. Shepard said his interest in the deal is in “preserving one of Maine’s most remarkable ski mountains and the role it plays in the economy of the region, an interest shared by Tom.”

Saddleback, owned by Irene and Bill Berry of Farmington, has been on the market since July 2015. The ski mountain – one of the largest in Maine with an elevation of 4,120 feet – has not been open since the 2014-2015 season.

Continue reading “Saddleback ski area might get back in business with another new prospective buyer”