Non-profit ski areas, have you skied at one?

[marzNC]

No, daughter has. It's a long day to get there, she camped out. She says it's good skiing, but not for the faint of heart. They don't groom much. The access is for the hardy. She punctured a tire. She was lucky a passerby came along to help her in the dark on a lonely forest road. I'm sure I should try it once. https://flatheadbeacon.com/2016/02/24/steep-cheap/

Nice article! Certainly hope Turner gets enough snow the next few years. Interesting that renting out the whole place for a private group is what helps pay the bills and keep lift tickets under $40.

"The mountain is open to the public for three days a week – Friday through Sunday – and a normal day sees about 100 people.

The hill is also rented out to private parties for $3,750 a day. Jon Jeresek, another board member and one of the mountain managers, said renting out the slopes is what helps keep ticket prices low.

“If we didn’t rent out the hill we just wouldn’t make it,” he said. “Without the rentals we’d have to sell $50 lift tickets and that wouldn’t work for the locals… This mountain is really important to the community.”"

 

[marzNC]

Anthony Lakes in OR was set up as a non-profit by Baker County after it was given to the county in 2010. Only 900 vertical, but at a pretty high elevation since the base is at 7100 ft. The 1100 acres includes nordic trails. There is a triple chairlift, a handle tow, and a magic carpet. Anthony Lakes is one of the places that can be rented for a day that it's usually closed, meaning non-holiday Mondays.

https://www.travelsavvywest.com/articles/Only_in_America/Article-2012-01-13-323.php

A group of up to 15 people can own the mountain for a day. The cost is $2,500 for the day. That is just $167 per person for the day. Or up to 25 people for $3,500, that is just $140 per person for the day.

What the day includes:

• 
  
  • The Rock Garden Chairlift for 5 hours
    • 9am-2pm
  • Option to buy up five groomed runs
    • An additional $100 per run
    • A list of optional runs to be groomed will be provided
  • Bar opens and lunch provided at guests request
    • Lunch is included
    • Drinks are not included in the $2500/$3500
    • Bar will stay open until 4 pm

Baker and Union County Citizens became the new owners of the Anthony Lakes ski Area in October of 2010 when the previous owners gifted the resort to Baker County. Baker County has formed the Baker County Development Corporation (a 501C3 non profit) that operates and oversees management of the resort.

 

[marzNC]

In addition to the regular terrain, Anthony Lakes has another 2000 acres for cat skiing. A full day is only $199, and that includes lunch! With a speedy group, have heard it's possible to get in a dozen runs. Since the place is only open Thu-Sun, that means on a Thursday there could be a lot of untouched new snow.

https://anthonylakes.com/cat-trips/

Full day of powder skiing, accessing 2,000 acres of steeps, bowls, and glades 1000-1700 vertical feet per run
Full day trips available with 7 day advance reservations and a 50% deposit per person
$199 per person (book 11 seats and receive the 12th FREE) –

Lunch and snacks included.

 

[marzNC]

Cochran's Ski Area was the first to go the non-profit route. The history of Cochran's started in 1961 and the family are still actively involved. Quite a few of the Cochran clan have competed in the Olympics. Sounds like a great place for a family with young kids to enjoy time on the slopes for relatively little money.

The Cochran family will be honored by the New England Ski Museum with the Spirit of Skiing award at the annual event in late October.

https://newenglandskimuseum.org/cochran-family-to-receive-spirit-of-skiing-award/

"The Cochran Family of Richmond, Vermont will be honored with the 11th annual Spirit of Skiing Award by the New England Ski Museum on October 28, 2016 at Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vermont. The award is given annually to an individual or group that in the judgment of the ski museum directors personifies the axiom that “skiing is not just a sport, it is a way of life”. This dictum, first spoken by New England ski pioneer Otto Schniebs, has guided the museum’s board for more than a decade, as ski luminaries including Stein Eriksen, Tom Corcoran, Herbert Schneider, Penny Pitou, and Bernie Weichsel have been selected for the honor. . . ."

 

[just jane]

Wait a minute, I thought Intrawest owned Winter Park....


Okay, Wikipedia says Denver "entered into a partnership" with Intrawest, which operates the resort. Confusing.

 

[marzNC]

Wait a minute, I thought Intrawest owned Winter Park....


Okay, Wikipedia says Denver "entered into a partnership" with Intrawest, which operates the resort. Confusing.

There are quite a few ski resorts that are owned by one company and operated by another. For instance, Boyne owns and operates Big Sky but they only have a long-term lease to operate Brighton.

 

[marzNC]

Wow! Bridger Bowl is really an amazing non-profit. In recent years, they have done a few major upgrades for lifts. Now they are completely re-working their beginner teaching area. The cost is about $5 million dollars and the money is from cash reserves! That's a sign of very good management and long term planning over the last 63 years. More expansion is coming in the next few years.

https://liftblog.com/2017/09/25/bridger-bowl-invests-5-million-to-transform-beginner-experience/

* * *
Bridger Bowl’s redevelopment over the last two decades is a model for nonprofit community ski areas everywhere. At the turn of the millennium, the mountain ran one modern quad chair and five Riblet doubles built between 1964 and 1978. Every lift was subsequently replaced with new fixed grip triples and quads with loading carpets from Garaventa CTEC, Doppelmayr CTEC and now Skytrac. With six Chairkit systems, Bridger Bowl is the largest operator of loading carpets in North America. “The conveyors are very effective in reducing mis-loads and allow the lifts to be operated closer to full speeds,” Four Mountain Advisors noted in the mountain’s master plan. “This helps maintain lift capacity without the added costs of a high-speed lift.” While at one point Bridger operated two mile-long doubles, the new strategy relies on a larger number of shorter, well-placed fixed-grip triples and quads. Virginia City and Snowflake are the fifth and sixth modern lift replacements in new alignments.
* * *

 

[marzNC]

Been thinking about Bridger a lot lately. Really want to get back there sooner than than later. Just came across a good overview of the history. It's an interview with the Director of Marketing for a Bozeman blog.

https://blog.bozemancvb.com/blog/iconic-bozeman-bridger-bowl

 

[newboots]

Here's the latest on Mount Ascutney (VT). They've had a big boost - donation of a t-bar lift! Fund-raising continues to match the permitting and installation costs, as well as their proposed Ascutney Outdoor Center (a building! warmth!).

https://mailchi.mp/124aa0fabbd1/winter-terrain-and-project-updates

 

[ski diva]

Here's the latest on Mount Ascutney (VT). They've had a big boost - donation of a t-bar lift! Fund-raising continues to match the permitting and installation costs, as well as their proposed Ascutney Outdoor Center (a building! warmth!).

https://mailchi.mp/124aa0fabbd1/winter-terrain-and-project-updates

I did an interview with the Executive Director of Ascutney that appeared on my blog exactly a year ago, and it's an interesting look at how it was revived as a non-profit ski area. I was also there on its very first day of operation, and it's a sweet place that's especially suited for kids and people learning to ski. (It was also the first time I'd used a rope tow since 1968. Man, I'm old.) As @marzNC said, they have some great plans in the works to put in a T-bar. I'm excited to see that happen!

 

[marzNC]

More about Ascutney . . .

They are going to build a new lodge! Construction didn't start during the summer but it's clearly going to happen. Fundraising for the Capital Campaign is ongoing. There are three big projects: a lift for tubing, a T-bar, the lodge. As of early November 2017, need to raise another $200,000. Already have over $500K in funding. Ascutney Outdoors is the name of the non-profit. Ascutney Trails deals with the mountain bike and hiking trails. Just as the for-profit resorts large and small are working hard to become 4-season resorts, the goal is for Ascutney to become a 4-season destination for low-cost, self-powered fun and exercise in the great outdoors.

* * * From Ascutney Trails website
" . . . The network of 30 miles of mapped and marked MTB trails spreads across the ski resort in Brownsville, and the adjacent West Windsor Town Forest, and stands as a premier destination for mountainbikers from all over the northeast as well as hikers, trail runners and winter backcountry enthusiasts who prefer a more gentle terrain. There are 5 trails that climb to the peak from points around the base, for hikers and snowshoers only, as well as an auto road. It is the premiere hang-gliding takeoff spot in the area because of the mountain’s features and location, and is also blessed with a State Park campground and full service hotel plus numerous inns, campgrounds, restaurants and other amenities in the surrounding villages. . . . "

https://ascutneyoutdoors.org/capital-campaign/

 

[marzNC]

Looks like Antelope Butte in Wyoming may be over the hump towards coming back as a winter sport area. The lifts closed in 2004. There is 500 acres of skiable terrain with about 1000 ft vertical.

The non-profit Foundation still needs to raise a couple million dollars but has other important tasks completed. The Forest Service finally issued a permit so that work could begin in March 2016 on the existing infrastructure left by the former owner. The goal is 4-season recreation for locals and tourists. Feels similar to the approach being taken by Ascutney. Pretty clear there is a fair amount of local support from individuals and businesses.

12/24/17
https://trib.com/lifestyles/recreat...cle_28b3a773-8e21-5340-b86f-257ad9ce573d.html

" . . .
The foundation has a new executive director, Casper native John Kirlin, a Forest Service permit allowing work to be done and more than $1.6 million raised to their goal of $4 million. . . ."

 

[marzNC]

Latest about Ascutney . . .

According to a local February 2018 news article, they have raised just over $500,000 towards the major capital campaign goal of $600,000. About 300 people have contributed, as well as the Holiday Inn at the base of the mountain.

The money needed to install the T-bar is a separate campaign. About $15,000 to got for that fundraising effort. The hope is to complete fundraising so that work can proceed in order to have the T-bar operating for the 2018-19 season.

 

[Christy]

Powder Magazine featured Loup Loup this month in an article about how much this little non-profit ski area means to the community after so many devastating wildfires in recent years. It's not online yet--just a photo teaser--but will likely be eventually.

 

[marzNC]

Looks like Antelope Butte in Wyoming may be over the hump towards coming back as a winter sport area. The lifts closed in 2004. There is 500 acres of skiable terrain with about 1000 ft vertical.

The non-profit Foundation still needs to raise a couple million dollars but has other important tasks completed. The Forest Service finally issued a permit so that work could begin in March 2016 on the existing infrastructure left by the former owner. The goal is 4-season recreation for locals and tourists. Feels similar to the approach being taken by Ascutney. Pretty clear there is a fair amount of local support from individuals and businesses.

12/24/17
https://trib.com/lifestyles/recreat...cle_28b3a773-8e21-5340-b86f-257ad9ce573d.html

" . . .
The foundation has a new executive director, Casper native John Kirlin, a Forest Service permit allowing work to be done and more than $1.6 million raised to their goal of $4 million. . . ."

They did it! The Antelope Butte Foundation managed to raise the money needed to restore a key chairlift. Two big donors from family foundations came forward with $360,000. Construction is happening this summer on that and the lodge. Fundraising is ongoing towards the $4 million goal to cover all budgeted improvements.

Turns out that for Antelope Butte, the ability to have revenue-generating summer activities because of the 2011 Ski Area Recreation law governing U.S. Forest land is a key factor. The name has changed from Antelope Butte Ski Area to Antelope Butte Recreation Area to reflect the fact that it's a 4-season area going forward.

https://wyomingpublicmedia.org/post...on-area-begins-chairlift-restoration#stream/0

 

[SallyCat]

Latest about Ascutney . . .

The money needed to install the T-bar is a separate campaign. About $15,000 to go for that fundraising effort. The hope is to complete fundraising so that work can proceed in order to have the T-bar operating for the 2018-19 season.

The T-bar has been purchased and delivered and Yours Truly is in charge of the crew that will be rust-proofing and painting the support structures this month. The route is staked out, and will go to mid-mountain, opening up a whole lot of new terrain. I don't know the date of installation yet, or whether that has been determined.

The new base lodge, which will be called the Ascutney Outdoor Center is almost finished and should be mostly complete by the Vermont Mountain Bike Festival, which is the last weekend in July.

There's a ton of excitement around Ascutney these days. I joked that moving into town just recently, I felt like the dinner guest who shows up in the kitchen just as the last dish is being washed and asks if they can "help." But I was told not to worry, there is plenty more to be done!

 

[marzNC]

Ascutney celebrated the grand opening of the Outdoor Center in Sept 2018. T-bar installation is schedule to begin soon.

9/19/18
Out & About: Ascutney Outdoor Center Celebrates Opening

 

[marzNC]

Mt. Ashland is looking to open on Dec. 4, 2018. It's been a couple tough seasons. Hopefully this winter will be better in terms of the number of open days they get.

Bridger is planning to open on Friday, Dec. 7. I'm headed back there in February. Looking forward to riding the new lifts put in since I was there in 2013.

 

[marzNC]

Bogus Basin in Idaho is the largest non-profit in the U.S. They got a new GM in 2015. He came from Diamond Peak. Will be interesting to see what changes happen before the 2016-17 season. He was mainly observing during the past season. More snowmaking is definitely a priority.

Meet the new Bogus Basin GM - Nov 2015

Bogus Basin announced they are replacing a triple with a detachable quad. The price tag is $5 million. There are seven chairlifts for the 2600 acres at Bogus.

Bogus Basin to Add Fourth High Speed Quad - Liftblog March 2019

 

[AusinCanada]

Just adding 3 not for profit feeder hills in Ontario:
Chicopee
Glen Eden
Boler

I think Glen Eden may be mainly a weekend and evening place but the other two are open weekdays too.

Skiing at a not for profit as your home hill is great - reasonably priced lessons and programs for kids including competitive racing and freestyle. Frees up money for a ski trip to a big mountain!