Mags, I really, really could use help! Ski related!

Well, in regards to the Teton Teepee in Alta wyoming, there is a potentially a very sad situation that Maggots could help turn around. The Teepee has been a true ski bum institution here in the Teton Valley for going on twenty years. It is on the way to Targhee, and traditionally employed ONLY ski bums. It is a Hotel/dorm/bar/restaurant, and is very, very funky.
basically, it began making money last year, but the owners just became hugely wealthy selling a different business, and simply don't want the hassle of day to day operations. If they don't find someone to lease it, they have basically said that 80% certain they will shutter it for the winter.
This is hugely sad. They have provided jobs, fun, drinks, hookup opportunities, bands, great food, and seasons passes for countless skids and ski bums for years, and this would be a HUGE loss to our skiing community.
SO, what I am asking for is some help in developing a strategy in order to convince them to keep the show going for the winter. A marketing campaign, if you will. I need ideas and action, and lord knows, Maggots are GREAT at this shit. If I could get everyones help, maybe we could call a summit where everyone stays there, I could do this very, very cheaply if it is clear that this forum helped keep the teeps open.
Please folks, I haven't asked for much here, But this is really important to global ski culture, and if you have ever been to the Teepee, you would know why.
Thanks, R

Did the people run it day-to-day themselves last year or was there a manager?

So....why don't you lease it?

Yes, there was a manager, but I think they need someone a little more top shelf in order to completely unplug from it.


Irul, I simply don't have the experience (or credit!) to pull it off. I thought about it hard, but wifey said no way. I could handily run the bar, or the kitchen, but the hotel part, no way. I have ZERO experience in that. Really, all it would take is a convincing campaign of a show of public interest in order to get them to change their minds. They love the palce to pieces, but need an effective manager to buffer them from operational minutiae.
I have offered to do their marketing and advertising for them this winter if they do open, but they have to be convinced that it can run itself.
any ideas?

Paging Woodsy, Woodsy to the WHITE OWN YOUR OWN BIDNESS TELEPHONE!

I also could turn the kitchen into a living ode to bacon. Seriously. I would strive to build the absolute sickest bacon burger on the planet, and would listen to criticism, and take advice. There would be a burger named after Snowprite, and a Mojito named after Tippster. And frozenwater.

I've been there and I'd hate to see the Teepee go away. Would a commitment to spend a few days at the Teepee help.

Got any pics?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by K-Stormchaser

Got any pics?

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why is every thread useless without pics?

I'll go take some photos.
here are the only reviews I can find..
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...a_Wyoming.html

Ya know, If the SLC posse wanted to, you guys could invest as a group, and have private rooms reserved for you any time, all season. Or any group, really. The lease is only $3000 a month, that's peanuts!

I checked the webpage but still under construction. If you have any more info/specifics(on public/private land? part of larger system at all? or is there that potential in the future? capacity, annual visits, etc) I could put in my .02 since I work for a backcountry hut system here in CO(though certainly not managing it, yet) and pump my boss for info. If I wasn't already settled here in Aspen with my GF I would probably be there in a flash.

Edit: Is this a lodge designed for people skiing at Targhee or for backcountry skiing around the lodge or both?

It is all private, and sits 8 miles from the chairlifts. There is no closer private accomodations to Targhee. I work with the owner of the local hut system, there is absolutely a way to tie in with guided BC, no problems. here are some more details...
"$3000 a month, pontetially negotiable. There are around 18 private rooms, four condo-type deals, and forty or so bunkbeds for bunk style/children. The menu options run from burgers to elk tenderloin, with a top notch kitchen staff, wait staff, and three chefs.
If there is one princple investor, he/she could have input on the menu, which could be fun.
The bar is excellent, this is potentially a very profitable scenario, but it would require credit (or cash) to get rolling. The owner (who is a good friend of mine) doesn't care about making money off of it, anyone who steps up would get to keep everything coming in above the negotiable 3K.
It is a very unique situation, and I dearly want to make it happen. We have a great relationship with Grand Targhee, snowcat skiing and possible season pass options would be available to potential investors. Please feel free to throw out any more questions..."

If I could get an investment pool from maggots, I would offer to keep an eye on things as a form of GM in some capacity.
BTW, the place is staffed by hard partying hotties, I shit you not.

EDIT: I just edited the room counts, I found out the numbers from the owner.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rideit

... BTW, the place is staffed by hard partying hotties, I shit you not.

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Okay, NOW we need pics.

Let's all lease it and make it a Maggot Hostel.

Everyone has to provide pics of their sister to get a room?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rideit

I also could turn the kitchen into a living ode to bacon. Seriously. I would strive to build the absolute sickest bacon burger on the planet, and would listen to criticism, and take advice.

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less burger, more bacon :yourock:

It really would suck if the Teepee shut down. It’s a cool place. If Targhee expands like they want to a cheap, funky place will surely be needed.
With no ideas and less money I haven’t a clue as to how to help. If something comes to me I’ll let you know.

I asked my wife if I could sell her. She said no.

.........:eek: almost 100% positive this is what I have been waiting to do for my whole life... but never been sure. I_'m sure I've never been to Wyoming;)
edit. Sounds Kick Ass!
The Teton Teepee is a comfortable family-oriented ski lodge. With a large fireplace in the center of the lodge and game rooms throughout, there is something for everyone to enjoy. They also have an outdoor hot tub and offer discounted lift tickets for Grand Targhee Ski Resort. Lodging facilities consist of 18 queen-size private rooms and hostel-style bunk beds downstairs for snow lovers of all ages. Three larger rooms with accommodations for more than two people in a large cabin on the property is also available.

The Teepee is a very cool hang out after a long day of skiing. I remember last year it was up in the air if they would be open for the ski season and fortunately someone made it happen. This place would kick ass to over run with a maggot mini.

It's round and all the rooms open into the cental dining area. In the very center is the huge fireplace that is a couple steps down to a comfy circle of couch seating around it. A spiral staircase leads up to the bar on the entry part of the building. A couch and coffee table with 3 or 4 tall round tables and a few stools at the bar makes for a cozy little bar. Cheap Peebers and if you guess the card printed on the bottle cap its free. Yeah, Peebers aren't my first choice when it comes to beer but when you are buzzed its kinda fun once in awhile.

On the opposite side of the building there is a free pool table and big screen TV room upstairs. Downstairs is the ping-pong table, shuffleboard table and free foozeball (sp?) plus the dorn type accomodations.

Off to the left of the entry is the open air hot tub.

It would be a shame to see this local hangout not utilized this season. I can't help out with the operations of the Teepee this season but would be more than happy to spend money there on the excellent food and hang out in the bar.

BTW Rideit, I know that a hard partying kitchen hottie from last season moved to Summit County this summer. Bummer.

Wooo....$3k per month for how long of a lease? I would only need 3 other roomates to bring the rent below the $800 I am currently paying. Prolly 2-3 more to keep the heating costs below what I am paying or just rent the extra rooms, feed people and get people drunk...hmmm...interesting.

... and pay the employees, buy all the booze and food, and....

anyone got pictures of the place? I can't find one.

I took about ten pics today, I will post them when i get a second. Gotta roll, wifey is crackin' whip.

I'm on the road to Colorado today, please, folks, discuss! There has to be a way to do this...Thanks in advance, R

Isn't wyo one of the "Well done" burger states? If so you're never gonna have the world's best burgers. But burgers are easy, the best ingredients = the best burgers. Bread is key as are the condiments but when it comes to the meat: you should source your own cows (if possible in a food service setting) and put chopped bacon in the patties.

Can't say I have ever skied JH or Targhee, but if I were an investor in a buisness up there I might just have to go up to check on things (think tax deductible skiing). I would be willing to chuck a few hundred bucks at such a thing, maybe even $1,000. Get a few dozen peopleto do that, find someone to run it and we're in like Flint.

Lines in the water, boys, lines in the water!
Seriously, this could actually be a lucrative prospect, for the *right* investor. I see absolutely no reason why gross couldn't be $30-$40K a month, if run (and marketed!:wink: ) by the right people. Seriously.
There is huge potential here that has never been tapped, it has always been an 'amenity' business, done out of love, so no advertising, marketing, or anything of that nature has ever been done, in any meaningful way. This valley is SCREAMING for a venue such as this, and if someone could facilitate it, I truly believe the profit is there for the taking.
I worked there last winter, and know the straight dope, and I am privy to the hard numbers. If I had just even a little bit of liquidity ($20K) to fire up the victrola, I would in a heartbeat. I believe it could return 30% (profit above) that by spring, If not more, but only with a motivated, hands on, live at site crew. But man, living on site 8 miles from Targhee, uhhh....with the ability to ski every day...that ain't a barrier to entry for anyone in the know.
That is some special-ass opportunity shit, Yo.

Thanks to all interested so far!
Any other mags have other cool ideas for getting tourists in the doors, if this happens?
Photos:
The entrance, and the Grand
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7118QbNWTVqzc-

The building:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7108QbNWTVqzc-
20 person hot tub, bit of the bar deck:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7118QbNWTVqzc-
Family room, games, TV, etc:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7108QbNWTVqzc-
great room, with HUGE fireplace:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7118QbNWTVqzc-
Pool/poker lounge:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7118QbNWTVqzc-
backdoor
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7108QbNWTVqzc-
Great room, upstairs bar, fire pit, downstairs bar
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7118QbNWTVqzc-
Pizza kitchen
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7108QbNWTVqzc-
main kitchen
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7108QbNWTVqzc-
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7108QbNWTVqzc-
check in
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...7118QbNWTVqzc-

coming next, photos of the downstairs game room, foosball, shuffleboard table, and dorms!