Wildcat on the block: Wildcat Sold to Peaks Resorts

[EPB]

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

This is very big news for anyone who uses the Mount Washington Valley as a base. Wildcat season ticket holders will probably not be happy to see their prices increase, but this acquisition doesn't really seem to have any other losers. Due to US Forest Service regulations, it is unlikely that trails will be widened and straightened to the point where they are tarnished.

Things I hope for are: improved snowmaking, a summit area lift (summit quad mid load where the triple used to start), and improved lodge facilities. I would imagine that a lodge renovation/expansion is fairly high on Peak's list of priorities. Hopefully the Bobcat(?) lodge might also see more use as well. I would really hope that Peak would decide to do something with the summit gondola building. Whether they need to build a new structure, or renovate the current one, having a true summit lodge could be a huge attraction and exciting for skiers and pedestrians alike.

This could be the start of a potentially great new era in Wildcat/MWV skiing. Attitash and Wildcat are under peak, Cranmore has new ownership, and Black is still Black. Very exciting times. I just hope that Peak is able to enhance what Wildcat already as, instead of trying to make it something distinctly different.

 

[thetrailboss]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

 

[eatskisleep]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

I would get snowmaking ready to blast on gondi-line top to bottom and build a ridiculousbase so skiing can happen well into May, top to bottom bumps.

Still not looking forward to higher ticket prices etc... they have already risen enough in recent years...

 

[drjeff]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

Based on what they did when they acquired both Mount Snow and Attitash (Crotched was a different situation since they brought it back from the dead basically), this season, expect some SMI Polecats to show up likely more as the season goes on, and as they said in their press release, a new groomer or two. Next summer, likely see a bunch of work to the snowmaking infastructure and a bunch more polecats. Lift wise, Peak has tended with both Mount Snow and Attitash to be conservative, and as I've heard Peak admins say at the Mount Snow passholders meetings these last few years "we're a skiing company, not a realestate company" so from their perspective, priority #1 is about providing as good a quality snow surface as possible.

Lift wise, well one thing that might just work out in Wildcat's advantage, especially with respect to an upper mountain lift, is that as of next summer, Peak will likely have (unless they sell them on the open market), a used fixed grip quad and a used fixed grip triple at their disposal with the coming lift upgrades at Mount Snow :idea:

 

[Puck it]

Based on what they did when they acquired both Mount Snow and Attitash (Crotched was a different situation since they brought it back from the dead basically), this season, expect some SMI Polecats to show up likely more as the season goes on, and as they said in their press release, a new groomer or two. Next summer, likely see a bunch of work to the snowmaking infastructure and a bunch more polecats. Lift wise, Peak has tended with both Mount Snow and Attitash to be conservative, and as I've heard Peak admins say at the Mount Snow passholders meetings these last few years "we're a skiing company, not a realestate company" so from their perspective, priority #1 is about providing as good a quality snow surface as possible.

Lift wise, well one thing that might just work out in Wildcat's advantage, especially with respect to an upper mountain lift, is that as of next summer, Peak will likely have (unless they sell them on the open market), a used fixed grip quad and a used fixed grip triple at their disposal with the coming lift upgrades at Mount Snow :idea:

Forgot about those lifts at Mt Snow. That would be interesting to see what they did with them. The old footings are still there, I think. In regards to Ploecats, Wildcat probably is not the best place for these with all of the wind. A few in the base area but nothing lining the runs. I think they would stick with the stand ground guns due to the winds.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

Depends on ones perspective.....from a business standpoint can you invest a bunch of money on snowmaking and lifts without increasing skier visits? Without building some lodging at the base? I know all about the USFS and there are a couple of paths(both costly) the resort can pursue to gain developement land at the base. If you increase skier visits those folks will be driving from either Gorham or North Conway. Lodging at the base will decrease that, just one point the USFS would like.

The new ownership has to change Wildcat in some ways. Most changes some people will like, some people will hate. I don't think there is much to compare Wildcat to some of Peaks other properties like Mt Snow or even Attitash. The MWV is a popular place in the summer, I have to believe that the new Wildcat will build on the success of the their zipline. The view, omg, what a view from the trails. They don't need a super tele lens for Mt Washington like Sunday River did to market the place. :lol:

 

[deadheadskier]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

pretty much all that.

-Upper Mountain Lift - just a double would suffice for early / late season. I'm generally not a fan of mid stations.

-Improved Snowmaking

-Refurbishing Summit Lodge and Bobcat Lodge.

-There are some great upper mountain 'stashes', but they're awfully narrow and get played out quickly. I'd
open up the entire area between Upper Catapult, Upper Wildcat and Cat Cut off.

- I'd also see if there was a way to put a trail in between Pole Cat and Upper Lynx. There's a lot of real estate in there. One thing Wildcat suffers from is too much capacity for limited terrain off the summit. To somehow mitigate that would be a top concern.

 

[EPB]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

In order of importance:

Snowmaking improvements, if they're in as bad of shape as they've been rumored to be.

Lodge improvements. Summit would be really cool. The current base lodge is pretty small, so either an expansion or revamping of the Bobcat lodge would be helpful.

Summit area: If anyone has actually been to Tremblant in the past 7-10 years, they've seen that mid-stations can be engaged and disengaged depending on the season. If possible, this could be the most cost effective way for Wildcat to operate early late season.

Fixing the downhill capacity in the summit are would also be very helpful. A new trail and upper mountain glades (which the kitty currently lacks on the map) would help rectify capacity issues.

Dreaming big, I'd love to see a lift up to Big Wildcat (4400 feet). It's got the vertical to host an Olympic downhill run and would have miles and miles of great terrain. Too bad it won't happen.

 

[St. Bear]

Dreaming big, I'd love to see a lift up to Big Wildcat (4400 feet). It's got the vertical to host an Olympic downhill run and would have miles and miles of great terrain. Too bad it won't happen.

The topo map sure looks nice.

 

[deadheadskier]

Dreaming big, I'd love to see a lift up to Big Wildcat (4400 feet). It's got the vertical to host an Olympic downhill run and would have miles and miles of great terrain. Too bad it won't happen.

While that would rule, you would most likely being saying goodbye to Thompson Brook as we know it.

 

[EPB]

While that would rule, you would most likely being saying goodbye to Thompson Brook as we know it.

I know.... There's really no winning with terrain expansions it seems. Someone/something ends up getting tarnished. My hope would be that hard cores would cut new back country from the other summit to the Great Glen Trails lodge. Still, it wouldn't be the same

 

[2Planker]

Granite Pass (No Cranmore) is $699 until Nov. 9. Not a bad deal for The Cat, Attitash and Crotched, w/ No Blackout Days.....

 

[Smellytele]

Granite Pass (No Cranmore) is $699 until Nov. 9. Not a bad deal for The Cat, Attitash and Crotched, w/ No Blackout Days.....

Why the (No Cranmore)? They don't own Cranmore.

 

[thetrailboss]

Why the (No Cranmore)? They don't own Cranmore.

Does he mean no Mount Snow?

 

[2Planker]

Yup ! For some reason I thought the 3rd resort was local....

Snow, Crotched, Attitash + Wildcat hopefully now

 

[Smellytele]

Yup ! For some reason I thought the 3rd resort was local....

Snow, Crotched, Attitash + Wildcat hopefully now

Snow is included in their New england pass or whatevah it is called.

 

[john1200c]

Snow is included in their New england pass or whatevah it is called.

Yeah, Granite pass has the 3 NH areas. Attitash, Wildcat and Crotched

 

[riverc0il]

So let's say that you are Peaks Resorts. After closing the deal, what improvements/changes would you make? I would focus on upgrading the snowmaking system and assessing the lifts. I would consider the midstation idea that was discussed or the re-installation of a lift that serves the upper portions of the mountain.

Snowmaking. Absolute first priority. And I think Peaks has a history of doing this first so it certainly should be the first thing to look out for.

Second, I think they should rehab the summit building. The thing is an eye sore. It would be great to have a place to warm up on the top of the mountain on a cold day. Certainly would beat walking across the bridge back into the lodge. They could make some serious money with a nice cafe with beverage service (a la Cannon, Loon, Stowe, etc.).

Not sure anything else really "needs" to be done. The place is 100% turn key with all essentials there. I don't know what their rental situation looks like. I am sure Peaks will revamp the base lodge to make it easier for families to move more efficiently, clean up down stairs, etc. The Bobcat Lodge certainly has potential for something. I don't know what.

I don't think the mid-mountain lift needs immediate consideration. I think it would be incredible if they pursued it.

 

[Sky]

I wonder if Wildcat will still offer the 100K challenge in March this season?

 

[Tin Woodsman]

While that would rule, you would most likely being saying goodbye to Thompson Brook as we know it.

The thing about terrain/access expansions like that is while it would destroy Thompson Brook as you know it, it would create Thompson Brook 2 further up the ridge. When you increase access, the woodchucks tend to start working beyond the new boundaries.