Crested Butte Expansion, revamp.

CRESTED BUTTE MASTER PLAN INCLUDES EXPERT, INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN
Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) has begun the process of creating a master plan for the future of its ski terrain, according to published reports. The new master plan includes lift-accessed expert skiing in the Teocalli Bowl, which was opened for a time in the early '90s, and expansion on to Snodgrass Mountain. CBMR expects the plan to be completed sometime within the next six to 12 months for Forest Service review.

Expansion onto Snodgrass Mountain has been a subject of discussion since the idea was first proposed in 1982. Currently, CBMR is emphasizing that development of lift-served skiing on Snodgrass Mountain is critical to the success of the resort and the livelihood of the community. CBMR points to its professed lack of sufficient intermediate terrain as a reason to expand onto the intermediate terrain-rich Snodgrass Mountain. The expansion would add roughly 400 to 500 acres of terrain to the existing 1,058 acres, putting CBMR into the same league as Telluride and Winter Park.



CRESTED BUTTE SHERATON BOUGHT; RENOVATIONS PLANNED
Gart Properties and East West Partners paid an undisclosed amount to buy the Sheraton Hotel in Crested Butte, according to the Rocky Mountain News. The new owners plan to change the name in mid-April, to The Lodge at Crested Butte, and will put more than $5 million into renovations of the 240- room hotel, said Gart partner John Gart. He said he, as well as East West, met with Tim and Diane Mueller, the new owners of Crested Butte.

The partners plan to transform one of the hotel's two towers into condominiums, with sale prices likely beginning at less than $100,000, Gart said. When it's completed in late fall or early winter, the project is expected to have 90 condos and 120 hotel rooms, he said. Plans also call for upgrading of existing hotel amenities, including an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and health club, Gart said.

Gart Properties, the real estate arm of Denver-based The Gart Cos., which is no longer associated with Gart Sports, and East West have partnered on a similar deal previously at the 82-unit Iron Horse Resort in Winter Park.

maybe I'm just thinking of the mtn bike trail but isn't snodgrass across the road from the resort on private property ? if so I don't think I'd like to see a lift over there

The trail goes through private property, but most of the hill is National Forest. In reality, it's not a great place for lifts because most of the intermediate terrain is on the south-facing front of the hill, and has a hard time holding snow. It could be snowmaking nightmare. Access to Gothic Mountain will become much easier, though.

Snodgrass is indeed across the road from the current ski area. This proposal has been simmering a long time, and has been shelved a number of times. In the past, CB locals have been against it because of the fear of uncrotrolled growth. There has also opposition from environmentalists.

It is my understand that past of the land over there is already owned by the ski area, and that part is privately owned by ranchers. At one time, there was talk of multiple lifts. The terrain is pretty darn mellow as I recall.

It will be interesting to see if the Meuller's try to revive the Snodgrass expansion. CB needs a shot in the arm, but I am not sure Snodgrass is the solution....

The reason that snodgrass is attractive to devlopment is precisely because it is largely intermediate terrain. Regardless of what the map indicates, CB is really lacking in quality blue-green terrain that is well suited to your average okal-tex-ouisianan. CB's got the expert skier market sewn up tight but billy bob and his wife chantrell from Baton Rouge get kind of bored with their terrain after a couple of days.

[tangent]
Waiting in the dallas airport check in line next to a charter flight to Gunny I saw a dude who had his own poles. No boots, no skis but he damn straight owned his own poles. :D :D :D

All this sounds fine to me as long as they dont touch the goods....When I first heard the Muellers were taking over I thought they might rope off some of the serious shit to keep the lemmings out, and maybe pull passes to enforce.....As long as they don't do anything like that I think this will be great for CB....

could be the best of both worlds, as the experts get their own great terrain, and the lesser-experienced people get their own area without the threat of crazies crashing into them or heckling them. Separate lodges, separate feel, same resort, beaucoup bucks?