Will the Balsams open for 2011-2012 season?

[deadheadskier]

The sale of the hotel fell through and the hotel is closing it's doors this fall with no concrete plans to reopen. I wonder if it means the ski resort won't operate this winter as well.

http://www.nhpr.org/balsams-close-owners-ponder-plan-b


I'm still thinking that Ocean Properties will end up with the resort and that they're playing hard ball. I worked in management for OP in 2006-2007 and there were discussions all the way back then of purchasing the property.

 

[snoseek]

There's a lot of employees at that hotel that really have no alternative to working there. There isn't shit going on in Colebrook and Errol. For their sake I hope so. For the hotels sake I would hope someone with some ambition and deep pockets is willing to bring it up to par. The skiing has much much more potential also IMO

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

The sale of the hotel fell through and the hotel is closing it's doors this fall with no concrete plans to reopen. I wonder if it means the ski resort won't operate this winter as well.

http://www.nhpr.org/balsams-close-owners-ponder-plan-b


I'm still thinking that Ocean Properties will end up with the resort and that they're playing hard ball. I worked in management for OP in 2006-2007 and there were discussions all the way back then of purchasing the property.

Is Ocean Properties the company owned/co-owned or something by Kevin MaHanney (sp) a former Olympic sailor from Maine? Just curious. I remember a company by that name or so I think that was suppose to redevelope the Portland Maine waterfront and put in some high rises or something.

 

[thetrailboss]

FWIW I have been hearing that the current ownership is planning on opening this winter. I did not know that they closed for the summer. That's too bad.

Since Mr. Tillotson passed, I imagine that there has been little interest in keeping it by the family.

 

[snowmonster]

It'll be a darned shame if they don't re-open for the winter. I stayed at the Balsams last February and it was an amazing experience. Perhaps a Save the Balsams co-op a la Magic should be launched.

 

[thetrailboss]

It'll be a darned shame if they don't re-open for the winter. I stayed at the Balsams last February and it was an amazing experience. Perhaps a Save the Balsams co-op a la Magic should be launched.

Get on it snowmonster! Get some angel investors and let's get this thing going. :wink:

 

[steamboat1]

It would be a shame to not have the ski area open again. It's a very nice little mountain. My parents who are in their 80's now still like to ski but they can't handle the crowds & general atmosphere found at the larger ski areas anymore. They discovered Balsams several winters ago & have enjoyed skiing there because of it's family atmosphere & perfectly manicured slopes. Snow conditions there were often superior to what you'd find at the other larger resorts in the area, at least that's what I've found the few times I've skied there myself. Lift ticket prices for the area were also very affordable which was great for my folks since at their age only make a few runs. Usually when we're in the area we stay in Lancaster because of it's central location to other mountains so I've never stayed at the Balsams hotel. I'm sorry to hear they're having financial troubles but who isn't these days I was in the area for a few days last month & was disheartened to see all the hotels, restaurants & business' in general that closed in the area.

 

[AdironRider]

Where are they going to hold the first elections in the country now? Harts Location just doesnt have the pizzaz of Dixville, the voting room, etc.

Bummer to hear the hotel isnt doing to well, but I cant even imagine just how much money goes into maintaining a place like that. The place was a little too old school for most people these days. Id garner like a hundred mill on top of the purchase price is needed to retrofit then have enough capital to operate a place like that (all inclusive is tough to make a profit on these days).

 

[skiberg]

I thought i read in the paper last week that they were in fact planning to open in Decemeber as the sale fell through. Since no sale, no $ to refurbish and they may as well open to make some $ during x-mas.

 

[snowmonster]

If the Balsams shutters its doors, here's what we will miss:

http://forums.alpinezone.com/showthread.php?t=91089&highlight=balsams

 

[Nick]

Great shots Snowmonster, those glades look b e a u tiful

 

[riverc0il]

It'll be a darned shame if they don't re-open for the winter. I stayed at the Balsams last February and it was an amazing experience. Perhaps a Save the Balsams co-op a la Magic should be launched.

Who would buy a share of the Balsams? It would have a better chance going private, IMO. Not that it matters. Balsams will live and die with the hotel. The ski area isn't enough of a draw by itself for folks to drive all the way up there. The skiing is nice and more than almost any family could want. But it is a terribly long drive for just the skiing.

 

[hrstrat57]

Oh no!

The Balsams was on my must do list!

Oh no!:-(

 

[billski]

Oh chit man. May be they could attract some that oil money. Oh I forgot they have ski Dubai.

 

[snowmonster]

Who would buy a share of the Balsams? It would have a better chance going private, IMO. Not that it matters. Balsams will live and die with the hotel. The ski area isn't enough of a draw by itself for folks to drive all the way up there. The skiing is nice and more than almost any family could want. But it is a terribly long drive for just the skiing.

But, a man can dream, can't he? Such a shame though. I feel fortunate to have experienced the place. I now wear my Balsams shirt with fondness.

 

[steamboat1]

Who would buy a share of the Balsams? It would have a better chance going private, IMO. Not that it matters. Balsams will live and die with the hotel. The ski area isn't enough of a draw by itself for folks to drive all the way up there. The skiing is nice and more than almost any family could want. But it is a terribly long drive for just the skiing.

And that's what makes it a perfect place. They don't call it Wilderness for nothing.

I've been there numerous times & live in NYC.

It's always been worth the trip although I'm there for a few days & ski around to other nearby areas.

It would be a shame not to have it.

 

[AdironRider]

What is with this website and coops? Coops suck and there are only a few of them for a reason.

It would never work in the hotel industry. Ever. Imagine trying to get a coop to agree on a cash call for a hotel of that caliber. Oh yeah we need 100k this month to keep this massive breakfast spread going. The catfighting would be intense.

Ocean will pick it up as its right up their alley, and probably get it for a song. Im thinking 5-10 mill, another 50 in renos, then another 10-15 in cash reserves are needed. Pretty decent deal given the scope of that property.

 

[billski]

Skier bunk house. Perfect!

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

What is with this website and coops? Coops suck and there are only a few of them for a reason.

It would never work in the hotel industry. Ever. Imagine trying to get a coop to agree on a cash call for a hotel of that caliber. Oh yeah we need 100k this month to keep this massive breakfast spread going. The catfighting would be intense.

Ocean will pick it up as its right up their alley, and probably get it for a song. Im thinking 5-10 mill, another 50 in renos, then another 10-15 in cash reserves are needed. Pretty decent deal given the scope of that property.

I was thinking the same about the Co-ops. I mean what could go wrong. Afterall we know how much of a cash cow the food industry is, and the hotel industry, and the ski industry. When I think of making good coin with high margins, I think of these three industries. :grin:

 

[AdironRider]

Yeah, lets have a bunch of know it alls who invested a grand total of a couple K a piece calling the shots! The only place it has ever worked are grocery stores and MRG, and the grocery store ones tend to fail every ten years or so as they go in and out of style.

Profit!