43 replies to this topic

[Owen]

I thought I'd start a topic about rumors in the resort industry, from sales to proposed lifts that haven't yet come to fruition, or have been in planning for some time.

I'll get this started by saying that I have heard (and no, none of this has been confirmed) Schumann Resorts (Big White & Silver Star) is in the process of finalizing a deal with Apex Mountain Resort, along with the local Penticton native band. The band will own 2% of the hill, which will not only bring peace between the mountain and the band but also provide federal money which could ultimately lead to major development & expansion.

I e-mailed Michael J. Ballingall, the senior vice president of Schumann Resorts a week or so ago, jokingly (and jealously) saying for them to buy Apex. This is the reply I got...

Quote

Jeff Plant [Apex manager] is doing a great job down there [Apex]. Thanks for recognizing our successes, but unfortunately we have our hands full with everything in the Central [Big White] and North Okanagan [Silver Star].  All the best for the remainder of the season.

Kind regards,
SCHUMANN RESORTS  for
Big White & Silver Star Ski Resorts

Michael J. Ballingall
Senior Vice President

mballingall@bigwhite.com
Office phone:  (250) 765-3101 ext 212
TELUS cell:  (250) 470-7350

It would be fantastic and extremely exciting if they purchased Apex. I told Michael they could use some steeps in their resort repetoire, as Big White and Silver Star are surprisingly flat and unchallenging.

I also e-mailed Apex to see if they had any plans for expansion in the coming years, and I got this reply from the resort manager, Jeff Plant. The worst part about Apex is the our 1975 Mueller triple chair which is about as slow as possible!

Quote

Hi Owen,

We are currently reviewing our master plan, which will include replacing the
triple along with many other changes. I can't tell you when, but it is
definitely on the radar.

Cheers,

Jeff

The rumored closing date is by the end of this month. (March)

This post has been edited by Owen: 02 March 2005 - 04:47 PM

[highspeedquad]

I think Winter Park is putting in a HSS and a HSQ, where the Summit Express and the Timberline are, respectively.

Copper may be putting in a gondi or other lift to replace the Kokomo and Lumberjack lifts.

Breck could be installing a HSQ to replace 6, a HSQ to the top of Peak 8, and a gondi that would have 4 stations all around the bases of Peak 8, 7, and a little below that. They may also put in a base at Peak 7.

[SkiBachelor]

There have been a lot of rumors spreading around that ASC might be selling K-Mart. Even though ASC appears to have turned itself around in a positive direction, it's kind of hard to pay back its $600 million debt which is due at the end of this year I believe.

Rumor has it that Vail Resorts will be the one to purchase it.

I believe the Muellers are thinking about purchasing Magic Mountain and doing a major expansion since it's been having a hard time competing with Stratton.

Other than that, I don't know what else is happening.

I know Vail is really wanting to purchase Jackson Hole but there are no plans to sell the reosrt anytime soon.

[Owen]

ASC? K-Mart?

[poloxskier]

ASC- American Skiing Company
K-mart- Killington

[Owen]

Ahh, thanks. :P

[floridaskier]

Any more news about the proposed SkiUtah interconnect?

[highspeedquad]

The HSS at Winter Park is going in. Anyone know more about the HSQ that would be replacing Timberline?

[Aussierob]

highspeedquad, on Mar 2 2005, 05:48 PM, said:

I think Winter Park is putting in a HSS and a HSQ, where the Summit Express and the Timberline are, respectively.

Copper may be putting in a gondi or other lift to replace the Kokomo and Lumberjack lifts.

Breck could be installing a HSQ to replace 6, a HSQ to the top of Peak 8, and a gondi that would have 4 stations all around the bases of Peak 8, 7, and a little below that. They may also put in a base at Peak 7.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

:o A gondola with 4 stations. Gotta figure that will stop about every 5 minutes.
Also right from the rumor mill, there is talk, again, about a gondola/tram joining Whistler and Blackcomb

This post has been edited by Aussierob: 02 March 2005 - 09:16 PM

[poloxskier]

It would be nice if they built it as two separate gondolas, a two stage gondola fron town to peak 7 and then a single stage to Peak 8. That way if there were a stop on one of the segments the entire lift wouldnt have to. Although that would also require unloading and reloading to get to peak 8.

[poloxskier]

Is the new Deep Temerity at Highlands a go for next year? I have heard rumors for a while but nothing set in stone.

[KZ]

Umm Squaw to finally replace Links with a hsq. (I made this up but it needs to happen soon)

Mammoth may be replacing chair 9 with a low cap. hsq. This might not happen though if the mountain is sold.

I cant think of anything else except the forest service is supposed to remove chairs 3, 4 and 5 at Iron Mountain this summer. Sad stuff :(

[liftmech]

It sounds like Deep Temerity at Highlands is a go.

[NoPainNoJane]

highspeedquad, on Mar 2 2005, 09:51 PM, said:

The HSS at Winter Park is going in. Anyone know more about the HSQ that would be replacing Timberline?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Summit Express is being replaced w/ a HSS for the 2005-06 season and then for 06-07 Timberline will be replaced w/ a HSS. However the lift will be located from the bottom of Sunnyside to the top of the existing Timberline. During the install, there will be some glading of Swede's ridge as well.

For 07-08 they have scheduled to put in a lift on the backside of Parsenn along with extensive snow fencing above treeline and extensive glading below tree line.

At the same time the village will have broken ground at the base of winter park and all free parking will be located on the other side of 40. Rather than using shuttles to transport everyone to the base area they are planning on installing a cabriolet.

This post has been edited by NoPainNoJane: 03 March 2005 - 09:42 AM

[highspeedquad]

So WP will be putting alittle more that I expected, and I'm looking forward to it.

[Owen]

This is for Allen at Red..

Did Mr. Katkov announce any plans for summer lift installations at the recent meeting?

[Kicking Horse]

NoPainNoJane, on Mar 3 2005, 10:41 AM, said:

Summit Express is being replaced w/ a HSS for the 2005-06 season and then for 06-07 Timberline will be replaced w/ a HSS.  However the lift will be located from the bottom of Sunnyside to the top of the existing Timberline.  During the install, there will be some glading of Swede's ridge as well.

For 07-08 they have scheduled to put in a lift on the backside of Parsenn along with extensive snow fencing above treeline and extensive glading below tree line.

At the same time the village will have broken ground at the base of winter park and all free parking will be located on the other side of 40.  Rather than using shuttles to transport everyone to the base area they are planning on installing a cabriolet.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a six pack going to the top of timberline is overkill. timberline would do fine with a hsq zep should be a hss / gondola.

Are there any plans to replace sunnyside with a hs lift?

[highspeedquad]

The HSS that is replacing Timberline starts at the base of the current Sunnyside. Will that lift have a midstation at the base of the Timberline for loading and/or unloading?

The Zephyr definitely could use an upgrade to a HSS.

[sd40t-2]

FWIW,

In chewing the fat with some friends, the comment came up that PCMR may nix McConkey's Express. Anyone like to confirm, debunk the rumor, etc.,

SD40

[highspeedquad]

Why would they get rid of McConkeys?