Newpylong
Well-known member
He knows how to develop, that is everything from getting investors to permits and everything in between. It does not have to be synonymous with physical design.
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Balsams Grand Resort teams up with ski industry legend Les Otten
- Thread starter bobbutts
- Start date
He knows how to develop, that is everything from getting investors to permits and everything in between. It does not have to be synonymous with physical design.
killington was opening "october 1" long before otten got involved. he was just continuing pres smith's policy. did sunday river ever open oct 1? certainly oct 15 is early enough
granted otten had success in building sunday river into a mega eastern resort but his failures (probably the largest ever in the ski industry) far surpass any success he may have had. no way would i trust the guy. his grandiose expectations border on delusion. the same thing that got him in trouble in the past.
ss20
Well-known member
It just gets better and better...
http://www.newenglandskiindustry.com/viewstory.php?storyid=298
4,000 units in the first phase of development. Let's say the average occupancy per unit is 3, then you're gonna have 12,000 people living there. This would make it the 25th largest town in New Hampshire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_communities_in_New_Hampshire_by_population)
http://www.newenglandskiindustry.com/viewstory.php?storyid=298
4,000 units in the first phase of development. Let's say the average occupancy per unit is 3, then you're gonna have 12,000 people living there. This would make it the 25th largest town in New Hampshire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_communities_in_New_Hampshire_by_population)
Tin
Active member
Otten must have come off his Zyprexa. This is just insanity and has the makings of being mentioned alongside DeLorean and Pets.com.
Bostonian
Well-known member
Hey I still think the DeLorean is a snazzy car... But seriously, 4600 units and all this development? Who on earth from greater Boston will travel for 4 hours to there, when Killington is under 3, Sunday River is 3 in change and the Ski 93 hills in 2+ hours in change too? Seems overly ambitious for such a far out of the way place.
skiNEwhere
Active member
Bostonians drive to the loaf and that's over 4 hours away
mbedle
Well-known member
That 4,600 unit is at full build out. Initial offering is only 400 units. Just read how he plans to sell these units. Pretty interesting concept. Basically, you buy 100 days for a unit (100K to 280K) and have the ability to sell them back to the resort in exchange for free membership, no HOA fees, etc.
Bostonian
Well-known member
But the loaf has unique terrain - Balsams doesn't have the snow fields... or the vertical.
DoublePlanker
Member
But Balsams will have a gondola.
Smellytele
Well-known member
More than half the time Bostonians drive to the loaf the snowfields are not open and the vert is about the same with wind holds...
skiNEwhere
Active member
I'm pretty sure you're saying that tongue-in-cheek. But I do find it funny how resorts sell their gondola like it's an attraction in itself, almost akin to a new ride at an amusement park
DoublePlanker
Member
I'm sorry. I meant "signature lift".
Jully
Active member
If the Balsams can get the snowfall of something like Jay though, that could give it better powder/natural offerings compared to other resorts south of it. Obviously not going make the resort a success, but it would be a reason why I'd go there over SR or Cannon.
If they can get a few more dumps than competitors and then maintain quality snow due to fewer thaws than others, it could make it attractive to maybe drive the extra 30-60 minutes
If they can get a few more dumps than competitors and then maintain quality snow due to fewer thaws than others, it could make it attractive to maybe drive the extra 30-60 minutes
Newpylong
Well-known member
No offense but I doubt many "Bostonians" care about snowfields or unique terrain otherwise places like Loon, Sunapee, Waterville, Bretton Woods wouldn't be mob scenes.
the summit of mt washington which is 3000' higher, averages 280" of snowfall per year. yeah the balsams is about 50 miles north but doubt it will get anywhere the snowfall of jay.
x10003q
Active member
One of the potential markets for The Balsams is Canada and today the Canadian dollar is worth $.76US. The trend is now following oil prices. Canada is on sale again for US residents.
The idea that full build out is 4600 units is a joke. They will be lucky to sell 400 units.
The idea that full build out is 4600 units is a joke. They will be lucky to sell 400 units.
steamboat1
New member
Somebody should take a ride up there to see how much snowfall they get. I have but I ain't talkin.
Jully
Active member
Obviously not getting the snowfall of Jay, but from numerous accounts I've had people tell me the snow is "special" over there. Whatever special means, I don't know because I've never been through the area in the winter. However, if it turns out there is something unique about the snow, then it could be a way to separate the area from the ski 93 mountains and the like.
Not saying it's a definite nor that even with a claim to good snow it'll work out though. I mostly just want this to happen because I'm excited at the idea of a new major place opening in New England because it will most likely be the only opening of this size ever in NE for the rest of our lives. I think that's a pretty cool thing even if it sucks and is a total bust.
Not saying it's a definite nor that even with a claim to good snow it'll work out though. I mostly just want this to happen because I'm excited at the idea of a new major place opening in New England because it will most likely be the only opening of this size ever in NE for the rest of our lives. I think that's a pretty cool thing even if it sucks and is a total bust.
It's a Snowmobilers Mecca ,some of the best riding in the state below Pittsburg.
I've been up there it's better than what they're letting on !
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machski
Well-known member
Look, many said the same thing about SR in its infancy with real estate, etc. Oops, guess that was wrong. Balsams gets more and keeps snow better than any ski 93 area, Wildcat or SR. That difference to the North (and west of SR) is a big difference maker for those costal storms that come just a bit too close for the rest of NH. The big difference in my opinion to make or break this, will be the draw of the non-ski season. That was always stronger up there in the previous Balsams eras. That is what will make or break this, more than the ski draw.
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