Huntah sold to Peak Resorts

[Hawkshot99]

Outside of the payday I'm sure the Slutskys are a bit bummed out about this. Generations of family memories tied up in the mountain.

Later generations rarely have the same passion for running the family business as the founders.

 

[marcski]

Later generations rarely have the same passion for running the family business as the founders.

It is usually the 3rd generation that loses interest and either sell out or run a business into the ground. Seems like they took option 1...which makes a whole hell of a lot of sense to me.

 

[Harvey]

Hah! He must be apoplectic.

"must be" ...based on... ?

 

[deadheadskier]

Later generations rarely have the same passion for running the family business as the founders.

I'm aware

Not talking about the running of the business. I'm talking about generations worth of family memories being around the resort.

 

[andrec10]

I'm aware

Not talking about the running of the business. I'm talking about generations worth of family memories being around the resort.

No one after Orville and Izzy were even close to be enthusiastic about running the place. The current family were milking it for every penny they could sad to say!

 

[deadheadskier]

Again, not talking about running the business. :lol:

I've worked for plenty of family run hospitality businesses. I'm well aware the enthusiasm doesn't always carry down generation to generation.

That said, there is almost always a significant amount of time spent as a family on property; more so than even regular guests.

All I'm saying is that while I'm certain there is the relief of the burden of running the business and a very nice payday, there's also a complete change in way of life.

 

[drjeff]

No one after Orville and Izzy were even close to be enthusiastic about running the place. The current family were milking it for every penny they could sad to say!

Kind of like what SKI Ltd and then ASC were doing with Mount Snow prior to them selling, after the more passionate, and at times certainly eclectic days when Walt Schoeneckt ran it!

Peak IMHO has done a wonderful job at both preserving the history and passion for the resort that made Mount Snow what it is, and at the same time, done plenty of needed upgrades without completely trying to reinvent the mountain into something that it isn't.

If Peak takes this approach with Hunter, my guess is that the vast majority of the Hunter regulars will be quite happy with Peak ownership, and new fans of Hunter will be created as well

 

[andrec10]

Kind of like what SKI Ltd and then ASC were doing with Mount Snow prior to them selling, after the more passionate, and at times certainly eclectic days when Walt Schoeneckt ran it!

Peak IMHO has done a wonderful job at both preserving the history and passion for the resort that made Mount Snow what it as, and at the same time, done plenty of needed upgrades without completely trying to reinvent the mountain into something that it isn't.

If Peak takes this approach with Hunter, my guess is that the vast majority of the Hunter regulars will be quite happy with Peak ownership, and new fans of Hunter will be created as well

I like your take on it! I hope your right! They seem like a cautious company, but also take some risks and seem to understand the passion of skiing and riding!

 

[BenedictGomez]

The current family were milking it for every penny they could sad to say!

SKIS management was respectful & complimentary towards the family, but if you can read between the lines (and the audience for such a call clearly can) it's obvious they thought the family didn't invest enough $$$ into Hunter. A 60% per year difference in CapEx spending (what SKIS will invest versus what the family was investing) is pretty substantial.

 

[VTKilarney]

SKIS management was respectful & complimentary towards the family, but if you can read between the lines (and the audience for such a call clearly can) it's obvious they thought the family didn't invest enough $$$ into Hunter. A 60% per year difference in CapEx spending (what SKIS will invest versus what the family was investing) is pretty substantial.

So how do they plan to increase profits while also increasing capital expenditures?

 

[andrec10]

SKIS management was respectful & complimentary towards the family, but if you can read between the lines (and the audience for such a call clearly can) it's obvious they thought the family didn't invest enough $$$ into Hunter. A 60% per year difference in CapEx spending (what SKIS will invest versus what the family was investing) is pretty substantial.

Hence the milking! For a company to come in and say this, it speaks volumes what Hunter can be! Maybe we will get some nice new bathrooms!

 

[Domeskier]

So how do they plan to increase profits while also increasing capital expenditures?

More busloads of skiers from NYC?

 

[BenedictGomez]

So how do they plan to increase profits while also increasing capital expenditures?

At roughly 285k skier visits, a $385k increase in CapEx doesn't require a major increase in prices.

That said, after SKIS buys ski resorts, prices do go up. So Hunter will be getting more expensive in coming years.

 

[x10003q]

Hence the milking! For a company to come in and say this, it speaks volumes what Hunter can be! Maybe we will get some nice new bathrooms!

Milking is a bit of a reach. They have been working at Hunter almost as long as the brothers. In many family businesses the next generation is way under paid with high expectations of long hours and little say in the business until the founders give up control - which is many times never or until they pass away. If you are in the ski business and your mountain is running a 22% return you should get paid.

 

[ScottySkis]

I buy a pass if including Hunter and mountain snow for a reason a le price like 700$.

 

[yeggous]

I buy a pass if including Hunter and mountain snow for a reason a le price like 700$.

That's what you expect to pay for SKIS Granite Pass. Add in Mt Snow and the price doubles.


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[VTKilarney]

I would come out with four passes:
1) A pass that includes all Peak Resorts. $$$$
2) A pass that includes Hunter and Mt. Snow. $$$
3) A pass that includes Hunter and 7 days of non-holiday skiing at Mt. Snow. $$
4) Hunter only. $

 

[drjeff]

I buy a pass if including Hunter and mountain snow for a reason a le price like 700$.

Don't hold your breathe on that one Scotty!! Currently, the only multi-resort pass that Peak offers for non college students, that includes Mount Snow is their Nor'easter Pass. Early pricing last year (Purchase by April 15th if I recall the 1st price increase date correctly) was about $1150 by the time you added in taxes.

Peak, via the Mount Snow admins, has been quite clear, that they are happy with their price point, for the quality of the product they offer, and see no reason to change that thought process in the near future at least, even though other resorts nearby, have pricing structures that are less or offer some added benefits (This is an almost annual topic, especially when you look at family pricing structure).

My guess is at Hunter, you'll likely see a lesser priced pass that will include Hunter and Jack Frost/Big Boulder, that might also include a couple of days, or discounted days at Mount Snow. To get both Mount Snow and Hunter on a single pass, chances are that you'll be looking at their Nor'easter pass.

What you'll also likely see at Hunter, as Peak gets a few seasons of operations under their belts, is a steady increase in the infa-structure such as annual upgrades to the snowmaking system (snowgun replacement, pipe replacement, pumping and air efficiency increases), and bunch of upgrades to the lodge and food and beverage facilities, and lots of other day to day things that don't really seem all that "impressive" on paper, but you notice when you're there and using them. That has tended to be the Peak model of operations, make the snow surface as good as it can be, and provide the guests, the majority of whom are day trippers, a good experience while they're there for the day

 

[yeggous]

Don't hold your breathe on that one Scotty!! Currently, the only multi-resort pass that Peak offers for non college students, that includes Mount Snow is their Nor'easter Pass. Early pricing last year (Purchase by April 15th if I recall the 1st price increase date correctly) was about $1150 by the time you added in taxes.

Peak, via the Mount Snow admins, has been quite clear, that they are happy with their price point, for the quality of the product they offer, and see no reason to change that thought process in the near future at least, even though other resorts nearby, have pricing structures that are less or offer some added benefits (This is an almost annual topic, especially when you look at family pricing structure).

My guess is at Hunter, you'll likely see a lesser priced pass that will include Hunter and Jack Frost/Big Boulder, that might also include a couple of days, or discounted days at Mount Snow. To get both Mount Snow and Hunter on a single pass, chances are that you'll be looking at their Nor'easter pass.

What you'll also likely see at Hunter, as Peak gets a few seasons of operations under their belts, is a steady increase in the infa-structure such as annual upgrades to the snowmaking system (snowgun replacement, pipe replacement, pumping and air efficiency increases), and bunch of upgrades to the lodge and food and beverage facilities, and lots of other day to day things that don't really seem all that "impressive" on paper, but you notice when you're there and using them. That has tended to be the Peak model of operations, make the snow surface as good as it can be, and provide the guests, the majority of whom are day trippers, a good experience while they're there for the day

If you want to avoid tax, buy the pass online through one of the NH mountains.


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[Funky_Catskills]

Certain family members care more than people think..
Orvilles memorial service a couple family members talked about keeping it in the family..

I worry about my friends who's lives are tied to the ski area..
And how it will affect my town.

Hunter and Tannersville are doing great - more and more businesses are opening and doing well.
The towns are getting cleaned up nicely..

not nearly as bad as people make it out to be..