Balsams Wilderness

[Abubob]

On Wednesday, Tranchemontagne said finding the equity partners still remains the focus.

I think that means they're still looking for someone to foot the bill.

In May 2012, hundreds of pieces of Balsams history were auctioned off, including bedroom sets, kitchen equipment, antiques and collectibles and ski lift chairs.

I remember seeing this massive list online. I've heard that the place is completely gutted.

 

[snoseek]

I think that means they're still looking for someone to foot the bill.


I remember seeing this massive list online. I've heard that the place is completely gutted.

Jesus, There are some things with significant historic value! The voting area comes to mind.

 

[thetrailboss]

Bump

Looks like they bit off more than they could chew....

http://caledonianrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=180&SubSectionID=778&ArticleID=104572

 

[billski]

I inquired twice, once this past October and then again this month. The stock answer is that they will reopen at the end of calendar yer 2014.

 

[steamboat1]

I've never stayed in the Balsams hotel but skied the ski area many times. We usually stay in Lancaster which is centrally located to a few NH. ski areas. Balsams is about 40 min. north & Wildcat is 40 min. east. Cannon, Attitash, Bretton Woods & even Sunday River are not that much further a drive. Burke is in the area also but I never drove there from Lancaster. As I've mentioned earlier Balsams ski area is a great place to bring a family. Would hate to see it not re-open.

 

[billski]

Based on my one day's skiing there, I'm pretty convinced Santa lives there.

 

[AdironRider]

Im sure they are overwhelmed a bit, notably financially, but 2 years is not that long a time when you are completely redoing a hotel of that size and caliber.

This would be a 3-4 year project for the hotel group I worked with previously.

The whole article just screams whining to me, like they are owed the jobs. Short term thinking over long.

 

[billski]

The whole article just screams whining to me, like they are owed the jobs. Short term thinking over long.

Slow news day.:???:

 

[thetrailboss]

Im sure they are overwhelmed a bit, notably financially, but 2 years is not that long a time when you are completely redoing a hotel of that size and caliber.

This would be a 3-4 year project for the hotel group I worked with previously.

The whole article just screams whining to me, like they are owed the jobs. Short term thinking over long.

I think that context is important here--this is pretty much the ONLY major employer in that area. So the impact is huge.

 

[AdironRider]

I think that context is important here--this is pretty much the ONLY major employer in that area. So the impact is huge.

Believe me, I get the context.

Still doesn't change how I ultimately feel. These jobs aren't owed to people, and just opening as quick as possible is not the right way to go about things.

 

[steamboat1]

That whole area of NH is really picturesque. Big time snow mobile country, skiing not so much.

 

[deadheadskier]

Im sure they are overwhelmed a bit, notably financially, but 2 years is not that long a time when you are completely redoing a hotel of that size and caliber.

This would be a 3-4 year project for the hotel group I worked with previously.

The whole article just screams whining to me, like they are owed the jobs. Short term thinking over long.

Yeah, two years is nothing. It took 6 years and $30M to Re-open the Wentworth ten years ago. Granted, the Wentworth was in much worse shape than the Balsams having been vacant for 15 years, but the Balsams is a much bigger property that's not only trying to renovate, but also reduce it's size in half. The proposed $35M project is probably several dollars short of what it would take to downsize and bring the resort back.

 

[Smellytele]

I don't believe they have done any work on it for over a year since they tore down a few old industrial buildings on the property and sold off everything inside.

 

[JDMRoma]

That whole area of NH is really picturesque. Big time snow mobile country, skiing not so much.

Yes Bigtime Snowmobile country….Best riding in the State and you can head up to Pittsburg and into Maine quiet easily.
I didn't read the recent article but Did hear the locals were up tight over nothing being done for so long, like who ever bought it was bailing on it and it wouldn't return to its Beautiful self. I stayed there over the summer before it shut down…everyone was all f'd up over it closing…too bad they let it go so long without doing any improvements. Such a Historic Hotel, and the most Beautiful grounds Ive ever seen

 

[deadheadskier]

…too bad they let it go so long without doing any improvements.

I believe the reason for that is that the family that owned it prior never made a profit. It continuously ran in the red for decades.

 

[snoseek]

The family that owned it also owned a rubber factory that was attached.....and yes it was weird. The smell on a hot summer day was brutal! I wonder if the rubber factory helped fund things overall? The place needs some serious love for sure.