So, I know that Echo went private a couple of years ago. Does anyone know if they still operate, or if the new owners gave up? I haven't heard a thing about it since the sale.
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Front Range Ski Club (Echo Mountain)
Started by liftmech, Aug 23 2014 04:58 AM
20 replies to this topic
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Posted 23 August 2014 - 06:37 AM
liftmech, on 23 August 2014 - 04:58 AM, said:
So, I know that Echo went private a couple of years ago. Does anyone know if they still operate, or if the new owners gave up? I haven't heard a thing about it since the sale.
http://frontrangeskiclub.com/
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Posted 23 August 2014 - 05:59 PM
I work with a guy who had a season pass at Echo during it's last season who was not at all pleased with the mountain turning private. He told me he thought the chair had been removed. Good to see in the video it is still in use just in case the new owners do close it. Having the lift still in place should make it easier to keep it going if it gets sold again in the future.
This post has been edited by boardski: 23 August 2014 - 06:00 PM
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Posted 24 August 2014 - 03:56 AM
Thanks. Guess I could have googled it myself, but....
I actually think they have a bit of a captive audience as lane space is increasingly competitive up here. As interested bystanders many of us in the CO industry were wondering if they'd be able to licence the lift; they seemed preoccupied with the racing and we didn't know how much they understood about the actual operation of the hill. Looks like they did all right.
I actually think they have a bit of a captive audience as lane space is increasingly competitive up here. As interested bystanders many of us in the CO industry were wondering if they'd be able to licence the lift; they seemed preoccupied with the racing and we didn't know how much they understood about the actual operation of the hill. Looks like they did all right.
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Posted 24 August 2014 - 09:12 PM
I worked there and live about 5 minutes from the area, many of the locals up here keep hoping that she (the owner) will eventually fail. it doesn't help that Vail/BC is hosting the World Ski Championship in February as many foreign teams are renting lane space in the weeks leading up to the event, so they'll do alright this season as a business. Rumor has it that the lift hasn't passed its initial inspection each season and that the high speed rope tows that they installed were connected to many of the lift towers, so they've been restricted by the tramway board from using the high speed tows. I've also heard she has skipped some of payments for the diesel being delivered, and considering the area has no power lines and relies 100% on a diesel generator, she is risking not getting any fuel delivered and being able to run her business.
If and when she fails, we're hopeful that the county will buy it and make it a part of the parks & recreation department. Despite the costs to run the place, there has to be a way to make money there and keep the place running.
If and when she fails, we're hopeful that the county will buy it and make it a part of the parks & recreation department. Despite the costs to run the place, there has to be a way to make money there and keep the place running.
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Posted 25 August 2014 - 01:52 PM
I race for the high school team and they let us train there at night a couple of times last year. The lift was still running when I was there but it looked like there wasn't enough snow to run the tows. All of the park features have been removed and it's like skiing on an ice rink there, they have a minimum base and last year was a terrible snow year for them too. Those training runs were some of the most difficult runs I skied on race skis last year.
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Posted 29 August 2014 - 04:54 AM
NoPainNoJane, on 24 August 2014 - 09:12 PM, said:
Rumor has it that the lift hasn't passed its initial inspection each season and that the high speed rope tows that they installed were connected to many of the lift towers, so they've been restricted by the tramway board from using the high speed tows. I've also heard she has skipped some of payments for the diesel being delivered, and considering the area has no power lines and relies 100% on a diesel generator, she is risking not getting any fuel delivered and being able to run her business.
This is the sort of thing I was wondering about. She bought the area intending to use it as a private hill, but there's much more to operating than just turning the lift on in the morning.
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Posted 12 May 2015 - 07:28 PM
It's back....http://www.echomountainresort.com/
The site hasn't been updated in a while since it was set up, but apparently after 3 seasons as a private ski race training area, they have failed. Seems as if they hope to be reopened to the public for next season with a terrain park. There are quite a few setbacks that they'll be dealing with considering what they've done over the course of those three seasons. First, the magic carpet and rope tow were destroyed, either on purpose or in error. Second, the previous owner sold a majority of the rails and boxes, equipment when originally purchased was a significant expense. If they're struggling with cash right now, who knows if they'll have the means to purchase or hire someone to create the features. Third, the tramway board has barely passed the lift each of their operating seasons, the haul rope is in dire need of replacement. These are the more pressing concerns, there are many more that will have to be addressed as well.
I'm hopeful that they'll be open this coming winter, but at this point, it will probably be done on a shoestring budget.
One last nugget of information I found out, she was the lowest bidder. Apparently there were a few other, more impressive bids, but for some reason the seller took the lowest bid (most likely to get a larger write off if needed).
The site hasn't been updated in a while since it was set up, but apparently after 3 seasons as a private ski race training area, they have failed. Seems as if they hope to be reopened to the public for next season with a terrain park. There are quite a few setbacks that they'll be dealing with considering what they've done over the course of those three seasons. First, the magic carpet and rope tow were destroyed, either on purpose or in error. Second, the previous owner sold a majority of the rails and boxes, equipment when originally purchased was a significant expense. If they're struggling with cash right now, who knows if they'll have the means to purchase or hire someone to create the features. Third, the tramway board has barely passed the lift each of their operating seasons, the haul rope is in dire need of replacement. These are the more pressing concerns, there are many more that will have to be addressed as well.
I'm hopeful that they'll be open this coming winter, but at this point, it will probably be done on a shoestring budget.
One last nugget of information I found out, she was the lowest bidder. Apparently there were a few other, more impressive bids, but for some reason the seller took the lowest bid (most likely to get a larger write off if needed).
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Posted 13 May 2015 - 11:36 AM
NoPainNoJane, on 12 May 2015 - 07:28 PM, said:
It's back....http://www.echomountainresort.com/
The site hasn't been updated in a while since it was set up, but apparently after 3 seasons as a private ski race training area, they have failed. Seems as if they hope to be reopened to the public for next season with a terrain park. There are quite a few setbacks that they'll be dealing with considering what they've done over the course of those three seasons. First, the magic carpet and rope tow were destroyed, either on purpose or in error. Second, the previous owner sold a majority of the rails and boxes, equipment when originally purchased was a significant expense. If they're struggling with cash right now, who knows if they'll have the means to purchase or hire someone to create the features. Third, the tramway board has barely passed the lift each of their operating seasons, the haul rope is in dire need of replacement. These are the more pressing concerns, there are many more that will have to be addressed as well.
I'm hopeful that they'll be open this coming winter, but at this point, it will probably be done on a shoestring budget.
One last nugget of information I found out, she was the lowest bidder. Apparently there were a few other, more impressive bids, but for some reason the seller took the lowest bid (most likely to get a larger write off if needed).
The site hasn't been updated in a while since it was set up, but apparently after 3 seasons as a private ski race training area, they have failed. Seems as if they hope to be reopened to the public for next season with a terrain park. There are quite a few setbacks that they'll be dealing with considering what they've done over the course of those three seasons. First, the magic carpet and rope tow were destroyed, either on purpose or in error. Second, the previous owner sold a majority of the rails and boxes, equipment when originally purchased was a significant expense. If they're struggling with cash right now, who knows if they'll have the means to purchase or hire someone to create the features. Third, the tramway board has barely passed the lift each of their operating seasons, the haul rope is in dire need of replacement. These are the more pressing concerns, there are many more that will have to be addressed as well.
I'm hopeful that they'll be open this coming winter, but at this point, it will probably be done on a shoestring budget.
One last nugget of information I found out, she was the lowest bidder. Apparently there were a few other, more impressive bids, but for some reason the seller took the lowest bid (most likely to get a larger write off if needed).
I'm glad it's coming back. I would always rather see areas open to the public instead of being closed off in order to serve some exclusive group of people. I do find it strange that it was sold for the lowest price and that they destroyed the beginner lifts, though. Back when it was sold, there were drawings of how the skiing could be doubled or tripled in size, which is what needs to happen for it to be viable, in my opinion. With 1500 vertical feet and a high-speed lift, I could see Echo Mountain being fairly successful.
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Posted 13 May 2015 - 04:08 PM
There are a few setbacks regarding Echo's location that do not help for future expansion. One is that they don't necessarily get a lot of snowfall early in the season, so they rely heavily on snowmaking. Two, for where it is located, there is no natural water source for snowmaking, so water is pumped out of 3 wells into a reservoir. The reservoir reaches capacity after 8 hours of pumping and after 8 hours of snowmaking, the reservoir is empty. Three, there is no power line to the area, everything is generated by an onsite diesel generator, which when really cold (as it does get up there), the fuel gels and the generator stops. It has been estimated to cost $1M to bring in power.
Supposedly, a midsize company based back east that operates several smalller type ski areas placed a bid that was rejected. I can only think that Peak Resorts would have loved to have broken into the Colorado market via Echo. They have the pockets and experience to turn Echo around.
For Echo to work for the future, I believe that not only do they need a good management team to market the place well, but they need a tubing hill. As much as I hate tubing hills, their ROI is through the roof and would help the place overall be in the black. I also think summer operations would be extremely beneficial with some downhill bike trails and zip lines, they could market themselves as the traffic free summer mountain destination. Throw in a disc course and an alpine coaster and they could be more busy during the summer than during the winter, especially with all the tourists that go up to Mt. Evans.
Supposedly, a midsize company based back east that operates several smalller type ski areas placed a bid that was rejected. I can only think that Peak Resorts would have loved to have broken into the Colorado market via Echo. They have the pockets and experience to turn Echo around.
For Echo to work for the future, I believe that not only do they need a good management team to market the place well, but they need a tubing hill. As much as I hate tubing hills, their ROI is through the roof and would help the place overall be in the black. I also think summer operations would be extremely beneficial with some downhill bike trails and zip lines, they could market themselves as the traffic free summer mountain destination. Throw in a disc course and an alpine coaster and they could be more busy during the summer than during the winter, especially with all the tourists that go up to Mt. Evans.
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Posted 13 May 2015 - 10:45 PM
NoPainNoJane, on 12 May 2015 - 07:28 PM, said:
It's back....http://www.echomountainresort.com/
The site hasn't been updated in a while since it was set up, but apparently after 3 seasons as a private ski race training area, they have failed. Seems as if they hope to be reopened to the public for next season with a terrain park. There are quite a few setbacks that they'll be dealing with considering what they've done over the course of those three seasons. First, the magic carpet and rope tow were destroyed, either on purpose or in error. Second, the previous owner sold a majority of the rails and boxes, equipment when originally purchased was a significant expense. If they're struggling with cash right now, who knows if they'll have the means to purchase or hire someone to create the features. Third, the tramway board has barely passed the lift each of their operating seasons, the haul rope is in dire need of replacement. These are the more pressing concerns, there are many more that will have to be addressed as well.
I'm hopeful that they'll be open this coming winter, but at this point, it will probably be done on a shoestring budget.
One last nugget of information I found out, she was the lowest bidder. Apparently there were a few other, more impressive bids, but for some reason the seller took the lowest bid (most likely to get a larger write off if needed).
The site hasn't been updated in a while since it was set up, but apparently after 3 seasons as a private ski race training area, they have failed. Seems as if they hope to be reopened to the public for next season with a terrain park. There are quite a few setbacks that they'll be dealing with considering what they've done over the course of those three seasons. First, the magic carpet and rope tow were destroyed, either on purpose or in error. Second, the previous owner sold a majority of the rails and boxes, equipment when originally purchased was a significant expense. If they're struggling with cash right now, who knows if they'll have the means to purchase or hire someone to create the features. Third, the tramway board has barely passed the lift each of their operating seasons, the haul rope is in dire need of replacement. These are the more pressing concerns, there are many more that will have to be addressed as well.
I'm hopeful that they'll be open this coming winter, but at this point, it will probably be done on a shoestring budget.
One last nugget of information I found out, she was the lowest bidder. Apparently there were a few other, more impressive bids, but for some reason the seller took the lowest bid (most likely to get a larger write off if needed).
They might go for a lot of the cheaper park equipment like used barrels, trees, or even old lift parts.
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Posted 09 August 2016 - 09:28 AM
And just like that, Echo is under contract to be acquired, apparently trying to be a ski race training facility only doesn't work. Hopefully the new owner has a better vision for the future.
http://unofficialnet...ptcy-for-3-8m-a
Being the closest ski area to the Denver Metro area, Echo Mountain Resort is not just another bankrupt ski hill. Just so happens, it just took a 27 year-old University of Denver alum to realize the ski area’s potential.
According to BusinessDen, 27 year-old Peter Burwell and his company Burwell Enterprises are under contract to purchase the front-range ski hill for $3.8 million. Peter, who is the son of Aspen hotel owner and phinathropist Rod Burwell, is currently the CEO of Burwell Enterprises. Rod Burwell passed away last year.
In addition to the 226 skiable acres, the purchase will include ski resort facilities including snowmaking assets, chairlifts, and snow cats. With the purchase, Burwell Enterprises will also pay down SkiEcho’s unpaid creditors. Echo Mountain Resort was previously owned by Nora Pykkonen, who worked to create a world class ski racing facility for front range residents.
http://unofficialnet...ptcy-for-3-8m-a
Being the closest ski area to the Denver Metro area, Echo Mountain Resort is not just another bankrupt ski hill. Just so happens, it just took a 27 year-old University of Denver alum to realize the ski area’s potential.
According to BusinessDen, 27 year-old Peter Burwell and his company Burwell Enterprises are under contract to purchase the front-range ski hill for $3.8 million. Peter, who is the son of Aspen hotel owner and phinathropist Rod Burwell, is currently the CEO of Burwell Enterprises. Rod Burwell passed away last year.
In addition to the 226 skiable acres, the purchase will include ski resort facilities including snowmaking assets, chairlifts, and snow cats. With the purchase, Burwell Enterprises will also pay down SkiEcho’s unpaid creditors. Echo Mountain Resort was previously owned by Nora Pykkonen, who worked to create a world class ski racing facility for front range residents.
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Posted 09 August 2016 - 10:42 AM
NoPainNoJane, on 09 August 2016 - 09:28 AM, said:
And just like that, Echo is under contract to be acquired, apparently trying to be a ski race training facility only doesn't work. Hopefully the new owner has a better vision for the future.
The private ski race training model failed a couple of seasons ago - Echo was open to the public last season, starting in November. They apparently had fairly large numbers of (mostly out of state) first timers on the weekends and holidays, but most days I was there it was deserted. The place has potential, but despite their publicly sunny assessment of skier visits last year, I think it was a rough first season. Nice to see some capital behind it - hopefully the new owners can build on what Nora got rolling last season and bring some stability.
This post has been edited by thunderbird: 09 August 2016 - 10:59 AM
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Posted 11 August 2016 - 04:40 AM
_litz, on 10 August 2016 - 02:01 PM, said:
Wonder if he just wanted his own ski slopes?
For the interest on $3.8 mil you can do a lot of Heli Skiing!
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Posted 11 August 2016 - 06:33 AM
NoPainNoJane, on 13 May 2015 - 04:08 PM, said:
Supposedly, a midsize company based back east that operates several smalller type ski areas placed a bid that was rejected. I can only think that Peak Resorts would have loved to have broken into the Colorado market via Echo. They have the pockets and experience to turn Echo around.
Peak Resorts is deeply in debt and won't be buying any new mountains soon. They bought Hunter back east last year, and then had a disaster of a season and weren't able to pay for it and now owe a lot of money with a high interest rate.
I could definitely see them operating Echo as it's a smaller area that's close to a large population center.
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Posted 11 August 2016 - 05:56 PM
_litz, on 10 August 2016 - 02:01 PM, said:
Wonder if he just wanted his own ski slopes?
You are not making sense. Why would you spend $3.8 mil for "your own ski slopes" that are 632 vertical?
"Things turn out best for the people that make the best of the way things turn out." A.L.
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