Mount Snow and Haystack argue over water

[mlctvt]

Interesting article in the Deerfield Valley News
http://www.dvalnews.com/pages/bookm...ins+bicker+over+water&instance=home_news_left

 

[Glenn]

I'm going to hold off on reading this...I need something to read while having a beer in front of the wood stove this weekend. :lol:

 

[drjeff]

Hopefully only 1 more season after this one of water rights issues, and then it will become a non issue with West Lake for Mount Snow!

 

[vcunning]

Well the good news for Mount Snow is while they fight this, they get 100% access to the water. Water access becomes less important in a few months.

 

[arik]

I also note that the town of Wilmington obtained ownership of the new Haystack "base lodge" in lieu of the unpaid property taxes. Generous of the town to allow it to be used.

A previous DVN article discussed how One Cornell Inc became re-organised as Alt Charities around the time of the property tax issue.

I love Haystack and really want it to reopen, but the private club business model doesn't appear valid in this market, if it ever was.

Flights are cheap and people are flying west again.

I am hoping for West Lake to happen soon and for Mount Snow to then drop the non-compete clause thus allowing Haystack to reopen as a basic day ski area. I believe strongly that the presence of two great ski areas will draw more visitors, renters, and homeowners to the Deerfield Valley and thus increase business at Mount Snow. Mount Snow's competition isn't Haystack, but rather other bigger ski areas.

OK, would the Somerset reservoir project somehow miraculously happening be too much to ask?

 

[drjeff]

OK, would the Somerset reservoir project somehow miraculously happening be too much to ask?

I hear you 110% on that one!!! Just got get those pesky downstream kayakers who are afraid that drawing down at most a couple of inches from Somerset over the course of 3 to 4 months might upset their rapids to drop the challenge of the no additional commercial use clause (other than hydro power generation) that they are using to block Somerset :smash:

In the online passholder's chat last week, Mount Snow's head of Mount Ops, seemed very pleased with the progress that the ACT 250 permit application has made recently, and while it won't get approval in time for construction to begin while the ground is frozen this winter, that a year from now things should begin with West Lake online for the '10/'11 season (fingers crossed)

 

[deadheadskier]

Why is Haystack fighting if they're not even in operation? Is it just future consideration?

I know, I know, read the article.

I just want the Crib Notes

 

[bvibert]

Why is Haystack fighting if they're not even in operation? Is it just future consideration?

I know, I know, read the article.

I just want the Crib Notes

I thought Haystack was planning on opening in a limited capacity this season?

 

[drjeff]

I thought Haystack was planning on opening in a limited capacity this season?

Yup, per the article they said that last weekend was their 1st weekend of operations. Open this year with so far 20 members (although apparently many of them are on the payroll of the parent company). Skiing for members, prospective members, and upto 200 residents of Wilmingto, VT a day.

My wife and I will probably take a prospective members tour at some point this winter to check stuff out - with likely a 0.01% chance of buying in

 

[marcski]

Yup, per the article they said that last weekend was their 1st weekend of operations. Open this year with so far 20 members (although apparently many of them are on the payroll of the parent company). Skiing for members, prospective members, and upto 200 residents of Wilmingto, VT a day.

My wife and I will probably take a prospective members tour at some point this winter to check stuff out - with likely a 0.01% chance of buying in

One in a thousand, doc...those aren't such bad odds...You better start making those crowns double time to save up!

 

[drjeff]

One in a thousand, doc...those aren't such bad odds...You better start making those crowns double time to save up!

Nah, I really like the view I have of Mount Snow from my current place, and a townhouse at the base of Haystack just couldn't compete with it. Plus, I'd have to get a few of my on hill acquaintences to join Haystack for proper apres ski purposes :beer: :lol: Now I've got to go cut a crown on a patient :lol:

 

[arik]

http://http://dvalnews.com/pages/bookmark/push?article-Battle+boils+down+to+water%20&id=5196393-Battle+boils+down+to+water&instance=news_page

The editorial in this weeks issue of the Deerfield Valley News is also about this issue, though makes the point that the bigger issue is the importance and politics of more water for ski areas for the valley's economy.

I thought when I moved away from California I got away from water politics.

Impressive quality of local reporting at the DVN!