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Burke submits act 250 application for new Lift

from_the_NEK

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So a christmas opening works for Burke, because they are not removing the existing quad, correct?

Correct, the current Willoughby quad services all of the same terrain the new lift would access. Hell they could push completion of the new lift into January or Feb if they needed too (although it would suck to be working on cold metal when it it is -30 in January :-o ). Wintertime construction would have its benefits in that lift tower components could be transported up the mountain by groomers which I would assume is far cheaper than a helicopter.
 

skiatomic

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At 3mm for Ascutney lift (assume buy for 1.5mm and dis-assemble, transport, rebuild =1.5mm)...still a good savings if a new one runs 6mm+ range. Not sure if Burke is flush with cash so that they can disregard that savings. Not sure anyone in the ski industry should ignore saving cash in general. Low interest rate loans don't come along in the ski industry to cover over-spending...ask Peak Resorts...

It does seem to be pointing to them buying a "new" lift though, reading between the lines...rather than buying Ascutney's.
 

from_the_NEK

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The new lift is schedule to be operational before X'mas

But you have to admit that is something hard to schedule without knowing what they are actually going to install.
However, you may have better inside info about a potential back-up plan where Burke has been separate talks with a manufacture about securing a brand new lift (that can be installed by Christmas) in the case the Ascutney deal falls through.
 

thetrailboss

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But you have to admit that is something hard to schedule without knowing what they are actually going to install.
However, you may have better inside info about a potential back-up plan where Burke has been separate talks with a manufacture about securing a brand new lift (that can be installed by Christmas) in the case the Ascutney deal falls through.

+ 1. A new lift line has been cut, but the issue is what folks can expect for the lift.
 

riverc0il

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Well, worst case scenario is that they cut the lift line but can't install the lift. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. They needed that liftline cut one way or the other and the Willoughby Quad can always spin for another year. They get an extra trail for the new season worst case. So it doesn't absolutely have to happen before the season starts.
 

billski

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Ascutney not to be sold in pieces.. or not not?

This report from VPR has some rather contradictory information.

West Windsor Concerned For Mount Ascutney’s Future

Wednesday, 05/11/11 7:34am

"They feel that they can get more money by selling the ski area as an operating, viable ski area, not to liquidate it. But obviously we have no assurances of that."

"(Keese) The owners are also selling various pieces of equipment and some real estate. An official at the Burke Mountain Resort confirmed that that resort has been talking with Ascutney about buying the high-speed lift, but no deal has been reached. "
 

UVSHTSTRM

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This report from VPR has some rather contradictory information.

West Windsor Concerned For Mount Ascutney’s Future

Wednesday, 05/11/11 7:34am

"They feel that they can get more money by selling the ski area as an operating, viable ski area, not to liquidate it. But obviously we have no assurances of that."

"(Keese) The owners are also selling various pieces of equipment and some real estate. An official at the Burke Mountain Resort confirmed that that resort has been talking with Ascutney about buying the high-speed lift, but no deal has been reached. "

Think this already has a post on here, discussed a few weeks ago.
 

thetrailboss

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Stay tuned for my pictures from my hike around Burke this weekend. The liftline has been cut and is largely as FTN showed us, with trees down, etc. There are stakes to indicate the center of the line and I was able to find where the base will likely be. No other real activity...except for the large rebar/bolts that had been delivered for new lift bases.
 

thetrailboss

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Burke has not yet responded to this FB inquiry posted on May 15th:

So are the rumors true? I heard a trail has already been cut for a new high speed lift to the top being installed this summer?
 

from_the_NEK

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Stay tuned for my pictures from my hike around Burke this weekend. The liftline has been cut and is largely as FTN showed us, with trees down, etc. There are stakes to indicate the center of the line and I was able to find where the base will likely be. No other real activity...except for the large rebar/bolts that had been delivered for new lift bases.

Well that is further along than when I was up there a couple weeks ago. Barely...
 

Masskier

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OK, your right....... The official announcement should be coming out at the beginning of next week.

As you know, Burke spent several months negotiating and doing their due diligence on the Ascutney lift. Rather recently they decided that a new HSQ would be a better investment and make a stronger statement as to their commitment to transform Buke into a quality midsize year round resort. So a brand new Poma HSQ will be installed and operational by X'mas. In addition to the new lift there are also several other improvements that will be made this summer.
 
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