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Post by Machski on Dec 10, 2021 9:32:20 GMT -5
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Post by Barker on Dec 10, 2021 15:32:41 GMT -5
Once he figures out how to add some vertical to the surrounding hills this project MIGHT make a little more sense.
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Post by Machski on Dec 10, 2021 20:05:30 GMT -5
Once he figures out how to add some vertical to the surrounding hills this project MIGHT make a little more sense. No offense to the "someday bigger" crowd, but he didn't really find vertical at SR yet it is what it is today. Similar verts at Balsams but a lot more natural. I won't discount it that's for sure.
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Post by oldtimer on Dec 10, 2021 20:26:22 GMT -5
Too bad it's so far away from US population centers. A great natural area. One of the Tillotsons was a fraternity brother of mine, and we had some good times up there many, many years ago. Some crazy backcountry snowmobiling. Plus great meals at the hotel. When our kids were little, he gave them a great tour of the rubber factory behind the hotel. Showed them how they made rubber masks and surgical gloves. The Tillotsons made their money in the rubber industry with locations all over the world. They were good stewards for the Balsams.
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Post by MonkeyBrook on Dec 10, 2021 20:33:16 GMT -5
Did they actually make rubbers at the factory, I bet the kids were super exciters to be getting a tour of a glove-mask factory. Old Timer, you party way too hard.
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Post by oldtimer on Dec 10, 2021 22:29:49 GMT -5
Did they actually make rubbers at the factory, I bet the kids were super exciters to be getting a tour of a glove-mask factory. Old Timer, you party way too hard. Not anymore, MB, not anymore. LOL My 5 and 7 year old sons got the G-rated tour, by the way. They didn't need to see everything.
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Post by Barker on Jan 26, 2022 11:18:34 GMT -5
Gotta give Les extra credit for keeping this project alive and regularly in the press. www.skijournal.com/les-otten-balsams-redevelopment-new-hampshire-resorts-nelsap-sunday-river-american-skiing-company/"Otten’s big dreams, and his big plans, come with a big caveat. In short, will people make the trek, past — far past — Waterville Valley and Loon Mountain and Cannon Mountain and Bretton Woods (and the Mount Washington Hotel) off I-93, and past — far past — North Conway and Mount Cranmore and Attitash and Wildcat off Route 16? The resort is advertising the Balsams as “a unique alpine environment only a car ride away,” but it’s a long, long drive......The harsh reality facing Otten and Balsams investors is that people have far more options available today. The truth is, I can hop aboard a jetliner at Boston’s Logan Airport and be skiing at Deer Valley or Park City in Utah in roughly the same amount of time it would take me to drive to Dixville Notch."
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Post by promontoryrider on Jan 26, 2022 12:33:23 GMT -5
Gotta give Les extra credit for keeping this project alive and regularly in the press. www.skijournal.com/les-otten-balsams-redevelopment-new-hampshire-resorts-nelsap-sunday-river-american-skiing-company/"Otten’s big dreams, and his big plans, come with a big caveat. In short, will people make the trek, past — far past — Waterville Valley and Loon Mountain and Cannon Mountain and Bretton Woods (and the Mount Washington Hotel) off I-93, and past — far past — North Conway and Mount Cranmore and Attitash and Wildcat off Route 16? The resort is advertising the Balsams as “a unique alpine environment only a car ride away,” but it’s a long, long drive......The harsh reality facing Otten and Balsams investors is that people have far more options available today. The truth is, I can hop aboard a jetliner at Boston’s Logan Airport and be skiing at Deer Valley or Park City in Utah in roughly the same amount of time it would take me to drive to Dixville Notch." But you don't need to wear a mask in your car..... The resort succeeded when car travel sucked, no reason it can't succeed now.
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Post by ZenMaster on Jan 26, 2022 14:28:28 GMT -5
The resort is advertising the Balsams as “a unique alpine environment only a car ride away,” but it’s a long, long drive......The harsh reality facing Otten and Balsams investors is that people have far more options available today. He spent most of the 90s playing the drive time/distance card in favor of SR against SL, will be interesting to see if he can figure out how to effectively flip the script in favor of The Balsams.
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Post by sitzmark on Jan 26, 2022 15:04:35 GMT -5
The resort is advertising the Balsams as “a unique alpine environment only a car ride away,” but it’s a long, long drive......The harsh reality facing Otten and Balsams investors is that people have far more options available today. He spent most of the 90s playing the drive time/distance card in favor of SR against SL, will be interesting to see if he can figure out how to effectively flip the script in favor of The Balsams. Flip the commute maybe .... shorter ride for the Quebecois than Stowe. Alternate but similar ride for Montrealers. Fighting exchange rate unless offering par.
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Post by patroller on Jan 26, 2022 19:47:52 GMT -5
Skied there a couple times in the 80's. Nothing special IIRC. Used to golf there in the 90's. Very nice ! Did their giant brunch buffet while paying 18.
I give Les credit for trying. If anyone can make it happen, he can.
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Post by oldtimer on Jan 27, 2022 9:12:53 GMT -5
With the way Vail is handling Wildcat and Attitash, many might be willing to drive past them to get to the Balsams.
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Post by Machski on Jan 27, 2022 11:20:19 GMT -5
Skied there a couple times in the 80's. Nothing special IIRC. Used to golf there in the 90's. Very nice ! Did their giant brunch buffet while paying 18. I give Les credit for trying. If anyone can make it happen, he can. Yes, the old Wilderness ski area was kind of just an add on to the resort, not any type of prime attraction itself. What Les envisions will include that ski area but it will be enveloped around and above what it was with a ton more. It is a long shot still, summer attractions may draw but the ski resort to draw in the winter will have to come out from the start a minimum of 4X larger than the original ski area to have any early drawing power IMHO. And to do that, he will need to get lift orders in soon to meet his opening timeline with the number he will need.
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Post by Barker on Jun 29, 2022 6:50:34 GMT -5
thebalsamsresort.com/good-progress-made-and-great-things-ahead/THE BALSAMS: GOOD PROGRESS MADE AND GREAT THINGS AHEADJune 17, 2022 By Les Otten Appearing in the Colebrook Chronicle “The Balsams Development Team has made significant progress over the last six months since the announcement of our collaboration with Provident Resources Group (PRG) and Goldman Sachs to advance major components of the project’s financing. This announcement created a tremendous surge in interest, with more than 500 individuals inquiring about Balsams real estate since the relationship with Provident was announced, catapulting pre-sales commitments to approximately $30 million. As background, The Balsams’ redevelopment proposal includes reconstructing the historic Dix House, renovating the historic Hampshire and Hale Houses, as well as the acclaimed Panorama golf course and clubhouse designed by pioneering golf course architect Donald Ross. The Balsams Lake Village, which will encompass the Dix and Hampshire Houses, will feature a new Lake Gloriette House hotel, a 600-seat conference center, a Nordic baths and spa facility, a performing arts center, and an open-air marketplace. The resort’s fine cuisine and chef training programs, known worldwide, will return through multiple culinary options around the resort. All will embrace the farm-to-table concept by sourcing locally grown meats, produce and dairy. The plan also includes expanding The Balsams Wilderness Ski Area into one of the largest, most technically advanced ski resorts on the East Coast, and offering multiple real estate products for sale. Our plan includes a gondola from the village up and over Route 26 to new trails and lifts on several peaks. With most of our major permits in place, we are working on site with our engineering firms to finalize any existing open conditions, complete survey work and update environmental reports, all of which are a part of standard due diligence in project finance. Third party reports commissioned as part of the financing process are nearing completion, all with projected favorable findings. Doug Kennedy Advisors, who was retained to assess the real estate market compared to the Balsams’ projections, has issued a final report concluding there is strong interest and potential for The Balsams’ success. The report states, ‘The Balsams has substantial potential as a resort destination and base for vacation oriented real estate. Given the range and scope of on-site facilities; there is evident potential to develop a substantial number of vacation units in this location.’ Municap, Inc., a public finance consulting firm, has been engaged to complete the materials required to advance the Tax Assessment District bonds that the passage of HB 540 in 2019 allows for in collaboration with the County. Further, this piece of legislation was slightly modified, with almost unanimous support in the New Hampshire House and Senate, to accommodate a preference for how the bonds will be marketed. As a result of tremendous support from Executive Councilor Joe Kenney, our North Country representatives in Concord, and our County Commissioners, the Balsams was also successful in having previously approved funding for Golf Links Road improvements reinstated, which will ensure safe access to the Panorama golf course, a cherished and key component of our redevelopment plan. With all this progress over the past several months, many people have asked, ‘So when are you breaking ground?’ Recently I was privileged to speak at the North Country Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner, and I told members that I am cautiously optimistic that the bond markets will be receptive to new issuances this fall, presenting the opportunity to reach a financial close and start of construction within the calendar year. I remain grateful for the tremendous support of the State, the community, and our project participants, all of whom share the same vision that I do: to bring the Balsams back bigger and better than ever.”
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Post by Machski on Jun 29, 2022 14:15:49 GMT -5
^^^^They may be able to start on the lodging stuff, but I doubt they will be able to start on lifts prior to Summer 2024. Next year's install slate is already getting quite full, especially out East. Better get those lift orders in quick!!
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