The Balsams is up for sale

[snowmonster]

I heard a lot of good things about this place (more on the food) and was hoping to visit it this year. Looks like it's on the block:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ne...lsams_grand_resort_up_for_sale/?camp=obinsite

NH's Balsams Grand Resort up for sale
July 15, 2010

DIXVILLE, N.H.—The Balsams Grand Resort in northern New Hampshire is up for sale.

A listing price for the 144-year-old Dixville Notch resort has not been disclosed.

The New Hampshire Union Leader reports The Balsams is owned by the Tillotson Corp. and recently underwent extensive renovations, including its Ballot Room, where the first-in-the-nation presidential primary ballots are cast every four years at the stroke of midnight.

Wednesday's invitation to investors promoted the four private lakes, a golf course, and ski area on the 7,000-acre property.

The Balsams is one of four hotels that remain from the state's grand hotel era that ended around the turn of the 20th Century. The others are the Mountain View Grand Resort, the Mount Washington and Wentworth by the Sea.

 

[drjeff]

Just a GREAT place to visit and saty atleast once in a person life!

 

[billski]

I think I can scrape up $500.

 

[drjeff]

I think I can scrape up $500.

Over the course of the day, you'll feel like you ate about $200 worth of quality food (all included on their standard american meal plan that guests are on) and in the summer, if you're a golfer, the greens fees are inclused too (you pay for the cart) on what is a really good golf course

 

[deadheadskier]

Interesting timing for this artcile. The Balsams has been for sale for quite some time. The owners of the Wentworth by the Sea nearly bought it well over a year ago.

I made a sales call there two summers ago. The place was in massive disrepair. The hotel that is, can't speak to the ski area.

It's business has declined tremendously over the past two decades. I think that in part has to do with massive investments made in the Mountain View, Mt. Washington and Wentworth hotels. All of those facilities are far superior to the hotel at the Balsams. I can't see why someone would bother driving the extra hour and a half past Mountain View or Mt. Washington for the same essential experience of staying in a grand old historic hotel.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Never been, and I probably wouldn't go for 1000ft of vertical, but the setting looks way better then the Mount Washington Setting. I like how it is tucked in to the notch, the new wing is kind of nice as well, not sure it really fits, but it looks very nice.

 

[snoseek]

I worked and lived there a number of years ago. It needed some serious infastructure even then. The location, hiking, fishing biking are all sooooo sweet. I had fun up there for sure. Never bored. They need lots of simple stuff in every room like t.v. and AC. With some big investment this place could easily be primo once again. The food is pretty good also.


Whatever you do stay the hell away from the ski area. What little pow they get is tracked by 930.


Edit-They need to shut down the stinky rubber factory in the back. It never made a bit of sense to me

 

[habanero10]

Great, traditional NE skiing! Only 1000ft, but, it's easy to ski more vertical than bigger mountains 'cause there's no lift lines.

Two new triple fixed chairs installed ~8 years ago. Re-configured beginner area.

"snoseek" - they get more natural snow than most places in the area. I still find freshies at 3pm. Even when PSIA has updates there, they all talk about how it is the best "feeling" snow.

 

[snoseek]

Great, traditional NE skiing! Only 1000ft, but, it's easy to ski more vertical than bigger mountains 'cause there's no lift lines.

Two new triple fixed chairs installed ~8 years ago. Re-configured beginner area.

"snoseek" - they get more natural snow than most places in the area. I still find freshies at 3pm. Even when PSIA has updates there, they all talk about how it is the best "feeling" snow.

My statement was pure sarcasm. I've had some very very sweet untracked pow days there. There are some trees, they ski well.

 

[snowmonster]

habanero, welcome to the boards! If you hang around here long enough and get to know snoseek, you will learn that when he says "stay away from that mountain," he really means "it's a great place."

snoseek, I guess I have to beat you to first chair here. Food and skiing are a great combo.

 

[habanero10]

OK, I'm hip. Thanks!

snoseek - I probably know you. I was in the band, and my wife was in the ski school...

 

[St. Bear]

Too bad they shot down the Great Northern Woods Casino. That would have helped business at The Balsams a lot.

 

[WakeboardMom]

Too bad they shot down the Great Northern Woods Casino. That would have helped business at The Balsams a lot.

Odds are good that the casino bill will pass next year.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Too bad they shot down the Great Northern Woods Casino. That would have helped business at The Balsams a lot.

Instead they built the "Great Northern Woods Correctional Facility". Yeah, let's build things that require tax dollars instead of those who provide them.

 

[deadheadskier]

Odds are good that the casino bill will pass next year.

something like 2/3rds of NH residents have been to the casinos in CT. Makes sense to just have them here in our own state if people are going to go anyway.

 

[drjeff]

something like 2/3rds of NH residents have been to the casinos in CT. Makes sense to just have them here in our own state if people are going to go anyway.

NO!!!!!!!!!!! Us CT folks like the fact that the folks in Mass and NH keep voting down Casino gambling I will say that as someone who lives in Eastern CT, and essentially travels up and down I-395 on a daily basis, the number of cars with Mass and NH and ME plates headed down that way is quite impressive, especially on a Friday/Saturday

 

[deadheadskier]

The State should just buy the Balsams, put in the Casino and manage it like it does our liquor stores.
I'd prefer to see the Casinos up north where the economy is struggling. Though knowing how our State operates they'd probably build them right on the border of 3, 93 or 95 with big ass billboards you can see from Boston. :lol:

 

[drjeff]

The State should just buy the Balsams, put in the Casino and manage it like it does our liquor stores.
I'd prefer to see the Casinos up north where the economy is struggling. Though knowing how our State operates they'd probably build them right on the border of 3, 93 or 95 with big ass billboards you can see from Boston. :lol:

Rest stop Casino's. I can see it already! :lol:

 

[billski]

I can see fall hunting promotions now. "Bag a deer in the morning, venison for dinner, Entertainment by Larry the Cable Guy and gambling until the wee hours."

 

[deadheadskier]

Rest stop Casino's. I can see it already! :lol:

yep and sure to follow will be a Mass state rep who voted down Casinos in Mass caught on tape yanking away at the slot machine