8 replies to this topic

[LiftTech]

http://www.thebusine...former-employee

After more than a month of negotiations, a deal was reached bringing Sierra Summit closer to new ownership along with a new name and new incentives for visitors.
According to a Purchase Agreement signed today, the resort, located 65 miles northeast of Fresno near Huntington Lake, is expected to be acquired April 30 by Tim Cohee, the 17-year senior executive of Kirkwood Mountain Resort near Lake Tahoe. With the sale, the Sierra Summit will revert back to its former name, China Peak.

Under the new leadership, frequent visitors may also see their trips rewarded through benefits from the Peak Club, a limited membership opportunity that extends various lifetime VIP privileges to those who join. Ranging from $5,000 for individuals to $20,000 for companies, club members will enjoy discounts on food, lodging and ski lessons as well as preferred parking, signature jackets, season passes and a variety of leisure events and get-togethers.

In addition to his tenure at Kirkwood, Tim Cohee, a 29-year veteran of the ski industry, began his management career at Sierra Summit under current owner Dick Kun. After several years marketing the resort, he became vice president of Heavenly ski resort in Tahoe and later took over operations of Goldmine, a ski resort in Southern California now known as Bear Mountain operated by Snow Summit, Inc., Sierra Summit's owner since 1981.

“I always wanted to have my own resort, and do things exactly as I have felt was in the best interest of the customer, so they have a good time every time they visit," said Cohee, also a former board member with Sierra Summit. "I’ve skied all over the world the past 30 years, at most every major resort in the nation, and Sierra Summit has the terrain, trail and lift system and natural beauty skiers and boarders anywhere would find enjoyable. It is a true gem in the middle of the Sierra.”

Sierra Summit was founded in 1959 by Knute Flint under the name China Peak. The resort changed ownership twice by 1981 when it was purchased by Snow Summit, Inc., formerly Big Bear Mountain Resorts, who renamed it Sierra Summit. The site spans 1,200 acres with a top elevation of 8,709 square feet. Facilities include seven chair lifts and a moving carpet. Around 400 employees work at the resort throughout the year.

[SkiBachelor]

I don't understand why the current owner would want to sell it.

EDIT: I got this resort confused with the ski resort 'Snow Summit.'

[Peter]

I don't understand why China Peak is a better name than Sierra Summit.

[Kicking Horse]

Does any of this matter?

How about the area just shut it's doors. Would you both be happy then?

You dont need to understand why. There are reasons for everything. Just accpect them and move on. Just be happy that you can get up and ski when you want.

[Lift Dinosaur]

Amen, Jeff.

How was your day...a little rough?

Dino

[skiersage]

Skier, on 10 March 2010 - 08:17 PM, said:

I don't understand why China Peak is a better name than Sierra Summit.

SkiBachelor, on 10 March 2010 - 06:53 PM, said:

EDIT: I got this resort confused with the ski resort 'Snow Summit.'

I think Cameron's post shows why a name change is a good thing. "Sierra Summit" is too easily confused with other ski area names like Sierra at Tahoe. China peak is a name that is not as popular and will distinguish the area better.

[Kicking Horse]

Lift Dinosaur, on 11 March 2010 - 07:22 PM, said:

Amen, Jeff.

How was your day...a little rough?

Dino

Yes.

[zeedotcom]

Resort Website:
http://www.sierrasummit.com

"Driving Map" to give you an idea of where it is.
http://www.sierrasum...s/driving-maps/

[egieszl]

This is one of those ski areas that is still referred to by its old name "China Peak". Also, Chinese Peak is the name of the mountain.

I'm not surprised that Dick Kun would sell this area. Snow Summit is a privately held ski area and the majority of their operations are in Big Bear Lake. As business owners age often their investment strategies change and divesting of some assets isn't uncommon. I'm thrilled to see him sell to a former employee and keep the resort privately held versus selling to a corporation who will just hire an "employee" to manage it. This new owner has a passion for the industry and this mountain in particular. It's these type of people that often make businesses really succeed.