Wildcat on the block: Wildcat Sold to Peaks Resorts

[thetrailboss]

Actually, this makes real sense for Peaks because now they have an early and late season candidate to compete with against Boyne. Forget POWDR. With Wildcat, Peaks now has an offering that caters to the masses and the wider spectrum of the market. I would not be surprised to see them modify Wildcat to be the late (and early) season go-to place for passholders.

 

[deadheadskier]

If they did end up buying Wildcat, I would seriously consider a Peaks pass if it was priced similarly to the Boyne Silver.

 

[Edd]

I can't believe the Cat is getting the corporate treatment. This is going to be really interesting.

 

[riverc0il]

Actually, this makes real sense for Peaks because now they have an early and late season candidate to compete with against Boyne. Forget POWDR. With Wildcat, Peaks now has an offering that caters to the masses and the wider spectrum of the market. I would not be surprised to see them modify Wildcat to be the late (and early) season go-to place for passholders.

I can see them going really late with just a little more snow making on key trails. Going early would likely require an upper mountain lift. Would an freaking awesome to be able to upload on the quad and ski off the upper mountain in October and early November. An upper mountain lift at the Cat would likely be one of the best early open possibilities in New England. I don't see them going early without an upload though I guess they could blow the snot out of Bobcat if it got cold enough and with better guns.

 

[Puck it]

The quad is lower enough at the mid point to do that. But I wonder if they could put a lift back in where the summit chair was. Could be an interesting idea. Like a used one. For cheaper then $3million.


Anybody know where a used lift could be found for cheap money?

What was that guy's name again? Anybody remember?

 

[billski]

Anybody know where a used lift could be found for cheap money?

'scutney?

 

[ski_resort_observer]

If memory serves the sale price was $2m about 8ish years ago. I bet they paid less despite Wildcats summer upgrade with their big zipline with the big view.

 

[eatskisleep]

http://www.resortboneyard.com/list.php?category=12

As far as a great combo pass? I don't know... still really skeptical, I'd much rather see a Cannon/Wildcat deal.

 

[Puck it]

http://www.resortboneyard.com/list.php?category=12

As far as a great combo pass? I don't know... still really skeptical, I'd much rather see a Cannon/Wildcat deal.

Bear Peak has some pretty good glades, not overly technical though.

 

[drjeff]

Peak Resorts buys Wildcat

http://www.skiwildcat.com/news.html#249

"Thu, Oct 21, 2010
Peak Resorts Acquires New Hampshire Ski Area Wildcat Mountain. Two Of Mount Washington Valley’s Largest Ski Resorts Will Offer Combination Ticket & Season Pass Products. Click For More Info.


Wildwood, MO – Peak Resorts announced today that it has entered in to a purchase agreement with Pat Franchi to acquire all Wildcat Mountain Ski Area assets and attractions in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire. Parties involved expect to finalize the purchase pending approval by the U.S. Forest Service. Adding to its portfolio of resorts located in six U.S. states, including Attitash and Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire and Mount Snow in Vermont, Wildcat Mountain becomes the 12th ski resort currently owned and operated by Peak Resorts.

“Wildcat Mountain is a legendary ski resort known to many in the industry and it has a lot of history,” said Peak Resorts CEO Tim Boyd. “I am pleased to add Wildcat Mountain to Peak Resorts because it offers a unique, year-round experience in a one-of-a-kind location and there are opportunities for growth and improvement over the long-term that we can consider and are familiar with delivering at all of our resorts.”

In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps started clearing the Wildcat trail, one of the first ski racing trails built in the United States. Twenty-five years later, on January 25th 1958, Wildcat Mountain opened for lift-serviced skiing with The Wildcat Gondola and a single T-bar surface lift. Wildcat's trademark for many years, the Wildcat Gondola was the first lift of this type in the U.S. to be built. Pat Franchi and his family purchased Wildcat Mountain from original developers in 1986 and made significant capital investments to day lodge facilities, snowmaking, summer attractions, and lifts. In 1997, Pat replaced the original gondola with the Wildcat Express: a high-speed detachable quad chairlift that accesses the greater than 4,000’ summit in just over 6 minutes providing visitors over 2,100 vertical feet of skiing and riding in the winter and is converted in the summer and fall with 4-person enclosed gondola cabins to be the state’s highest scenic gondola. The legacy of Pat Franchi’s stewardship will be that he made improvements to and enabled the ski area to continue operating for more than two decades and support to many charitable foundations including the continued annual Yahoo weekends hosting children and their families from Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Attitash opened as a single mountain resort originally for the 1964-65 ski season and was known then as the “red carpet ski area” because of its reservation requirements and attention to guest service. In the mid-1990s, Attitash dramatically increased the available skiing & riding acreage by developing the Bear Peak area that included the installation of a high-speed summit quad chairlift as well as adding open glades, wider intermediate terrain, some of the state’s most sought after alpine race trails including Illusion, and the slopeside Attitash Grand Summit Hotel. Acquired by Peak Resorts in 2007 and having invested over $5,000,000 in capital improvements and resort enhancements including state-of-the-art snowmaking and New England’s longest mountain coaster, Attitash Mountain Resort continues to offer a high-end experience both on and off the slopes.

The two resorts are already considering the marketing opportunities and potential value offered in ticket and season pass products valid at both resorts for the approaching 2010/2011 season. “Being two of New Hampshire’s larger resorts and located in relative close proximity to one another, there is much to be gained in ticket and season pass products that are valid at both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain,” said Peak Resorts Vice-President Kent Graham. “Visitors to our valley and locals alike will now be able to gain greater value and access to the best of each resort’s defining attributes and distinctive qualities.” Graham also stated that Peak Resorts will be replacing old snow gun technology at Wildcat Mountain with more productive and energy efficient snowmaking equipment as well as upgrading and expanding the snow grooming fleet this season.


###

Peak Resorts is a leader and innovator in the ski industry committed to building an enhanced resort experience. It currently owns and operates several U.S. ski resorts including: Attitash (NH), Boston Mills (OH), Brandywine (OH), Crotched Mountain (NH), Hidden Valley (MO), Jack Frost (PA), Big Boulder (PA), Mad River Mountain (OH), Mount Snow (VT), Paoli Peaks (IN), and Snow Creek (MO). Peak Resorts is defined by the passion, determination, and commitment of each of its resorts to family recreation, improvements in technology, and service. For further information, please visit www.peakresorts.com.

Wildcat Mountain, located 100% within the White Mountain National Forest in Pinkham Notch, is home to New Hampshire’s most powerful quad summit chair lift and is renowned for its high summit elevation over 4,000 feet; greater than 2,100 vertical feet of skiing & riding; longest novice trail in the state at just under 3 miles; & proximity to Mt. Washington that contributes to 200 inches of snow and a long winter/spring season annually. Wildcat Mountain has consistently been rated #1 Scenery and Top Ten in the East for Terrain, Challenge, Value, and Overall Satisfaction by readers of SKI Magazine. For further information, please visit www.skiwildcat.com or call 1-888- SKI WILD.

Attitash Mountain Resort, located in the Mount Washington Valley and considered New Hampshire’s premier year-round vacation area, has been ranked amongst the East’s top ten ski resorts for snow, grooming, weather, dining, après ski, off-hill activities and family programs by readers of SKI Magazine. Offering two distinct mountains, Attitash and Bear Peak, and one of New England’s most advanced snow making systems, Attitash is known for its signature terrain parks, ski school & children’s programs, open-glade terrain, après entertainment, family value, the new mountain coaster attraction, and quality slopeside accommodations featuring the Attitash Grand Summit Hotel. For further information, please visit www.attitash.com or call 1-800- 223 SNOW.

Mirus Resort Capital, an investment banking firm located in Burlington, Massachusetts, advised the seller in this transaction. Mirus Resort Capital focuses on mid-market mergers, acquisitions, and debt & equity placement in resort, recreation, & hospitality industries. For further information, please visit www.mirusresortcapital.com."

 

[drjeff]

Just figured that since it's official now that this needed its own thread, not a speculation thread

 

[deadheadskier]

The quad is lower enough at the mid point to do that. But I wonder if they could put a lift back in where the summit chair was.

I don't know where I've read it, but I know that I'm not dreaming it up. Apparently Wildcat can put in a mid-mountain to summit lift with minimal permitting headaches as they had one before.

Early season it would be great. I like the idea of late season potential even more though. You've already got an audience of late season diehards across the street at Tuckermans. If they make a long trek to the region and conditions aren't optimal on the rock pile, having lift serviced across the street would be a grand alternative.

 

[snoseek]

So does this mean they will be on the same season pass. If so I wish I had this pass this winter.

 

[deadheadskier]

What was the early bird price for a non-holiday season pass from Peaks????

 

[drjeff]

What was the early bird price for a non-holiday season pass from Peaks????

My all inclusive Nor'easter pass was $899 early bird. Still haven't heard if the Nor'easter will also include Wildcat now for this season, but if the Attitash only passes are also going to be good at Wildcat, I'm guessing the Nor'easter's would be too

 

[riverc0il]

If Peaks adds Wildcat to the Nor'easter Pass, that would be an incredible pass option, especially for those that can hit Crotched within a short drive and/or want some night skiing. $899 early rate for four locations with no black out dates is a steal. Boyne has the better mountains on their multi-mountain deal but that would give Peaks the benefit of convenience and centralized options to a major destination like North Conway. Add in an area that has definite early/late potential in Wildcat and Peaks could be seeing increased market share.

 

[billski]

the other thread reported that an Attitash pass can ski at Wildcat this year.

 

[deadheadskier]

My all inclusive Nor'easter pass was $899 early bird. Still haven't heard if the Nor'easter will also include Wildcat now for this season, but if the Attitash only passes are also going to be good at Wildcat, I'm guessing the Nor'easter's would be too

pretty darn good deal for no blackouts.

worth a look for me next season.

Hope Peaks still offers the Sunday afternoon cruise for $25 at Wildcat. I didn't go there last year, but have used that deal several times the few years prior. Great option if you're out late doing something social on a Saturday night.

 

[midd]

Classic Pass (Attitash only with 11 BO dates) was $479 last year w/purchase by June 1. Granite, which included Crotched was $579 early bird.

my father in law that lives in Madison is psyched.

 

[SIKSKIER]

It will

My all inclusive Nor'easter pass was $899 early bird. Still haven't heard if the Nor'easter will also include Wildcat now for this season, but if the Attitash only passes are also going to be good at Wildcat, I'm guessing the Nor'easter's would be too

Just looked on Attitash's website and the Nor'easter pass includes Attitash,Wildcat,Crotched,Mt Snow,and Jack Frost.