This could work. I need 9 people with ~$15k each and we are in business!

Sold! American.

Just 7 more vic -- volunteers.

I can foresee a weekly flight between DFW area and KSUN.
 
First off, you need prolly 1,000 AMU to deal with float and other cash calls...
 
Whats the lift ticket prices? hell could be a nice money maker :p
 
Clark1961 said:
First off, you need prolly 1,000 AMU to deal with float and other cash calls...
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1000/Mo? What are you smokin'? It'll be at least $2500/mo run rate to get rolling. I can spend $1k/mo on just the rental shop and diesel for the groom wagons.
 
If you guys are in for that, I know a few older airplanes that need only an engine, prop, interior, avionics & paint and you can be speedin' around!
 
Guys, this sounds crazy but I've tried to buy two different ski resorts in the past. I first tried to buy a place in central CO, but the lease was up on the Natl forest land, and they refused to renew it. The town was all for it, and willing to help out but the land was off limits.

The second place is in N NM, and when I contacted the owners about it, the place has been closed for 6 years, they are trying to run it as a corp getaway but rarely rent it out. I had snow making planned and wanted to stay open from turkey day through late Apr early May. When I heard what they wanted for the place, it was 'are you serious!?' The cost was outragious considering the size and condition of the place.

So, although this is somewhat tongue in cheek, I really would like to buy one. I might just buy it myself, and see if I can make it run for a small loss.
 
Hey, go to google maps and do the runs. Google spent a lot of time mapping all that terrain real well. Strange, even better than some other ski places.
 
I don't understand why it is so cheap.. I have some close connections with people that have owned ski resorts. If you can get some real info, I would be very interested to see what the deal is there.
 
I sent an email and I'm following up. I think this is the place that Bruce Willis used to own, but that may be a different ski area further west.
 
One of the previous owners had a pretty hott wife. Her name was Demi .....

I loved her voice.

With some good controls on costs, and some marketing, it has a lot of potential. Market to the guys at MtHome Air Base, and market to CSI students in Twin.
 
"WOW!!! Facebook friends ROCK- We are now at over 400 inquires on the purchase of our sweet mountain."

I just made a request myself.. Seems like a lot of interest.
 
I live about 45 minutes from Soldier in Sun Valley. I am fairly certain that Bruce Willis still owns it but maybe not. I have never skied there but have heard the terrain is respectable. They also run, or used to run, a cat skiing operation that had some great skiing. Rumor was that Willis wanted to develop it but never got around to it as neither he or Demi spend much time here any more. Maybe that was the intention pre-divorce. I have lots of realtor friends and can poke around more if anyone is serious.
 
How long is the lease on the federal land ?
 
MtnMarcus said:
I live about 45 minutes from Soldier in Sun Valley. I am fairly certain that Bruce Willis still owns it but maybe not. I have never skied there but have heard the terrain is respectable. They also run, or used to run, a cat skiing operation that had some great skiing. Rumor was that Willis wanted to develop it but never got around to it as neither he or Demi spend much time here any more. Maybe that was the intention pre-divorce. I have lots of realtor friends and can poke around more if anyone is serious.
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Bruce gave it to a non-profit " Friends of Soldier" -type of organization a few years back. They non-profit is in debt the $149k, so they need taken out.


If anybody wants to buy another resort, and likes dealing with a lot of paperwork to make it happen, Tamarack in Donnelly is still available,, I think.
 
Sounds like an excellent tax deduction, given this is POA, how about finding a airport to buy?
 
docmirror said:
1000/Mo? What are you smokin'? It'll be at least $2500/mo run rate to get rolling. I can spend $1k/mo on just the rental shop and diesel for the groom wagons.
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1,000 AMU = 1,000,000

do try to stay up
 
weilke said:
How long is the lease on the federal land ?
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JB1842 said:
That's the important question.
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+1,000.

So many unanswered questions here...

...but it's a fascinating exercise to think about.

The phrase, "What could go wrong?" comes to mind; but I know you know what you're up to, Doc...
 
As far as the land lease goes, that's a tricky wicket. When I tried to buy the other one, it wasn't avail because the land hadn't been used as intended by the first lease and the option expired. I suspect this is a similar situation and that's why they are hot to get the lifts running this season. If the lifts run, the lease is viable. If the lifts don't run they may have a year or so to re-open and after that the land reverts to natural condition. I don't know, but that's the way the other one works.

The other big deal with any ski area is that unless water access and use is avail you are t the mercy of the snow gods. Last year was a dry year and they closed up after Presidents day. without the ability to make snow any ski area is reduced to whatever nature provides and some years that's been pretty thin except in AK. Guessing if they did have some water rights, they would have already been making snow prev years which means they likely don't.

As for the purchase, the last thing I'm interested in is having ANY RE agency messing with this. There's just no value in getting a agent at this point, and if it comes down to protecting the investment I'll deal with a RE atty for all the specifics and it'll be on a cash and carry basis. It looks like bidding is going to get going now that word is out, so the price plus commish is not something I have any interest in.
 
Love to ski and would love to own it, but that price screams something is wrong in Denmark.

I'll bet the lease is up and not going to be renewed, or either renewed at some ridiculous rate.
 
Whelp, they've had a ton of interest. Said they are going to send out a blast email to everyone that contacted them next week with some more particulars. Also they are very grateful for all the support. I'm hoping all the questions we have are questions they'll take up in the blast next week.

Stay tuned, you may be buying discount annual passes from me soon. To all my POA buddies I promise only a 10% extra gratuity over book prices. Cuz - that's the kind of guy I am.
 
docmirror said:
To all my POA buddies I promise only a 10% extra gratuity over book prices. Cuz - that's the kind of guy I am.
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Keep your POA friends close, your POA enemies closer, and keep your money tight. Or loose. Damn, which was it?
 
OK, I got my info package. Basically, the news is all bad, with one exception. the only good news is they have a permit from the USFS and local water rights for snow making. The amount, and limits of the water right are not specified.

The bad: Two snow cats/groomers are NOT included in the sale. That's about $150k right there to add before you can move one inch of snow on the slopes. Next, there's a kiddie magic carpet installed, but they don't own it. So, that's not included. Frankly, I'd rope it off, and keep it closed and let the owner twist in the wind until he begged me to open it again. Or, take it out and go away.

The guy who drew up the contract never graduated from business school, it's pretty full of holes. But - it's a start. All the buildings, ski stuff, lifts, and accessories are with it. Supposedly, they actually OWN the land! This is a deed transfer, and the new owner has to apply to the USFS for the permit renewal. There is no info on the permit process, or if the permit is renewable, however I think it would be a fraud if they tried to sell a 'ski resort' where there is no ability to use it for the intended purpose.

A few other deal breakers for professional property folks is a 14 day due diligence period, and full price in escrow before they will even talk to you. Hmmmm.

I hope it stays open, but the real cost to get moving will be about $500k all said and done. Unless someone has a few Pisten Bully's or Bombardier's they want to part with cheap.
 
What is the permit for if the land is actually deeded ? Or is the land only for the base station but all the runs are on USFS land ?

How many weeks until season start ? Do you think anyone at USFS moves at the speed required to open ? What are the insurance requirements for a ski resort ?
 
weilke said:
What is the permit for if the land is actually deeded ? Or is the land only for the base station but all the runs are on USFS land ?

How many weeks until season start ? Do you think anyone at USFS moves at the speed required to open ? What are the insurance requirements for a ski resort ?
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Exactly! :D

The purchaser is to do all that diligence, and do it in 14 days from date of deposit. The only one of those that I can guess at is the permit is for a special use - i.e. a snow skiing venue. Typical season start is hopefully Thanksgiving wknd. Snow permitting. If they want to open on turkey day, they need to start making snow right now.
 
docmirror said:
Exactly! :D



The purchaser is to do all that diligence, and do it in 14 days from date of deposit. The only one of those that I can guess at is the permit is for a special use - i.e. a snow skiing venue. Typical season start is hopefully Thanksgiving wknd. Snow permitting. If they want to open on turkey day, they need to start making snow right now.
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You can't make snow this early, you have to have cold temps to make snow, and to keep it on the mountain.

And, I am not aware that Soldier has snowmaking equipment, nor does it need it,,

Also, the economics of making snow are not good.
 
JoseCuervo said:
You can't make snow this early, you have to have cold temps to make snow, and to keep it on the mountain.

And, I am not aware that Soldier has snowmaking equipment, nor does it need it,,

Also, the economics of making snow are not good.
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You can if it's cold enough. Depends on the temps.

I don't think they do, but the important take away is they have a permit so they can. Last year they closed after pres day in Feb because of no snow. A ski area with no snow is worthless. So, since they've had a fairly dry winter for the last three years in a row, I will respectfully disagree and say, yes - they need snowmaking.

Every major, and most smaller ski areas in the western US have snowmaking equipment, and they most of them make snow every year. I used to run some of the snowmaking gear at A Basin in CO. We started in mid-late Oct for a turkey day start. Some years A Basin could open Nov 1st, some years we were making snow until early Dec. In central ID it's gonna be cold enough very soon.
 
docmirror said:
You can if it's cold enough. Depends on the temps.



I don't think they do, but the important take away is they have a permit so they can. Last year they closed after pres day in Feb because of no snow. A ski area with no snow is worthless. So, since they've had a fairly dry winter for the last three years in a row, I will respectfully disagree and say, yes - they need snowmaking.



Every major, and most smaller ski areas in the western US have snowmaking equipment, and they most of them make snow every year. I used to run some of the snowmaking gear at A Basin in CO. We started in mid-late Oct for a turkey day start. Some years A Basin could open Nov 1st, some years we were making snow until early Dec. In central ID it's gonna be cold enough very soon.
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Again, you can't make snow this early.

Here is the forecast. You only have a few hours in the next 10 days below 32. And lots of much higher temps.

bb8d82c032a0c9ef011d8164045959ea.jpg


6611cb815bf145e3b97b4ea6e6270eca.jpg


You likely are missing the issues with the ski area if you think snow making is the key to turning it into a successful venture.
 
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