Burke Mountain news

[Masskier]

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BURKE MOUNTAIN

TRANSITIONED TO CRAVE REAL ESTATE


Burke, VERMONT, (April 7, 2009) – The Ginn Companies today announced that day-to-day management, operations and development planning for Burke Mountain have been transitioned to Crave Real Estate, a Northeast based management and development firm specializing in mountain development and operations.

According to Tim McGuire, Vice President of Development at Burke Mountain, the move helps strengthen strategic partnerships and brings a new level of mountain-specific creative development and operations to the resort.

“The addition of Crave Real Estate will help strengthen the existing management team that is currently in place,” said McGuire. “The wealth of knowledge, passion and experience that Crave Real Estate brings to the resort are an ideal fit with the character of Burke and the surrounding community as we develop into a true four season resort.”

Led by ski industry veteran Lorne Bassel, Crave Real Estate has extensive experience planning, programming and operating ski destinations both in North America and abroad. Principals with Crave Real Estate have been involved in the development and management of more than 15,000 resort homes in more than 20 ski operations around the world, including serving in senior management capacities at Intrawest, one of the leading all-season resort developers in North America.

In the Northeast, Bassel and his team at Crave Real Estate have been involved in the creation of Stratton Vt., Snowshoe in W.V., and Blue Mountain in Ontario. Since 1993, Bassel has been involved in the creation of Mont Tremblant in Quebec and has helped it become a four season destination resort.

“We are excited to be a part of Burke Mountain and to bring our unique collection of experiences at both ski destinations and four-season resorts,” said Bassel, President and CEO, Crave Real Estate. “We hope to bring a fresh perspective to the experienced management team currently on the ground at Burke. Their ongoing insights and leadership will be critical as we move forward.”

Bassel noted that Burke Mountain Operating Company (BMOC) will continue to operate the ski area and Burke 2000LLC will continue to maintain ownership of the property, as it has since 2000.

Development plans, including the Act 250 permit submission, continue to be a top priority for BMOC as the financial success of the resort is intrinsically linked with the development of additional bed base and supporting amenities. BMOC anticipates moving forward with Act 250 permitting in the coming months.

Burke concluded the ski season on April 5. Season passes for the 2009/2010 season are currently on sale.

 

[MrMagic]

thanks for the info we will see how this unfolds and if they stick to their devlopment plans

 

[thetrailboss]

Looks like Ginn is out. Well, they did the average for the mountain: about 4 years. Now it would be nice to have an announcement that the summit HSQ will go in this season.

 

[thetrailboss]

Where did you see this PR?

I just read this again. It looks like Ginn has hired an operating company to run the resort, while Ginn still owns the assets.

It will be interesting to see what this 'corporate ski management company' does. Will they can the management and bring in their own? Will they invest in the ski area infrastructure?

I think this is a signal that Ginn recognizes that they don't know anything about the ski biz.....where's Ford Hubbard when you need him?

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Yup, methinks Ginn finally accepted the fact that running a beach/golf resort is not the same as a ski resort. I am sure Burke 2000LLC's parent company is still Ginn, that's what I took from the PR release and pretty typical. The resorts owned by ASC were under LBO Holdings LLC, for example. That's what was listed on our paychecks back then, not ASC.

 

[from_the_NEK]

In the Northeast, Bassel and his team at Crave Real Estate have been involved in the creation of Stratton Vt., Snowshoe in W.V., and Blue Mountain in Ontario. Since 1993, Bassel has been involved in the creation of Mont Tremblant in Quebec and has helped it become a four season destination resort.

Ohhh Craaappp. McSkiresort here we come :roll:

This is essentially what I heard a couple weekends ago on the lift and on the radio last week. I had yet to find an actual press release. Usually the Caledonian record is right on top of things lol going on up there but they have been conspicously silent. This could be good or terrible. We will just have to wait and see.

 

[MrMagic]

Looks like Ginn is out. Well, they did the average for the mountain: about 4 years. Now it would be nice to have an announcement that the summit HSQ will go in this season.

ugh i sure hope not if you want high speed ride the poma

 

[Masskier]

I think this is good news for Burke. Based on the financial woes that Ginn is going trough with some of their resorts down south, I am glad that there is a new team to oversee Burke's development. This reconfirms Burke 2000 commitment to continue moving forward with their development. I have a pdf of the local newspaper story, I just don't know how to post it (sorry). If someone pm me I can send it to them for posting.