Central California

[~mikey b]

http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/n...9bb2963f4.html

With autumn’s leaves mere weeks from turning, Bear Valley Mountain Resort’s new owners have already started preparing for the upcoming ski season.

Pending the final approval of the U.S. Forest Service, which is anticipated to go through without issue, Skyline International Development Inc. is the new owner of the mountain resort.

“A lot of work has gone into it,” said Michael Sneyd, CEO of Skyline. “Our focus right now is to improve the mountain experience, the guest experience and to make sure that the Bear Valley brand reaches the heights it enjoyed in the past.”

The Toronto-based company’s binding purchase and sale agreement includes only the on-mountain assets of the resort. But with the purchase of the ski area, Skyline has an option to purchase development land in Bear Valley Village over the next three years.

Though Sneyd said that is Skyline’s plan, he added the company will focus this year on the ski area in particular. Skyline is working with current onsite management and the newly appointed asset managers, Northern California ski industry duo Chris Ryman and Betsy Cole to develop a list of priorities. Sneyd said at the top are improving snowmaking abilities and enhancing the midmountain lodge.

“There are several operation items we’d like to see addressed right away: flow issues, flow of rentals, flow through the kids’ camp facilities and the facilities with respect to bar and restaurant – generally, that the patrons see there’s a real uptick this coming season.”

Sneyd said the company is delighted to add Bear Valley to its growing portfolio of hotels and resorts.

“Given Bear Valley’s spectacular beauty, excellent terrain and potential for improvement, we believe it is a great fit,” he said.

Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur Gil Blutrich, Skyline has expanded quickly over the past five years, growing its asset base from $26 million to $311 million with the acquisition of hotel and resort properties in Canada. Purchase price for the Bear Valley ski area is still confidential, Sneyd said. Bear Valley is the company’s second U.S. acquisition, following the 2011 purchase of the Hyatt Regency and Cleveland Arcade.

And although the company is new to the West Coast, Blutrich said Bear Valley is similar to one of the company’s Canadian ski resorts.

“Both appeal to families and local groups while benefiting from their close proximity to large urban centers,” he said. “In Horseshoe’s case, the 8.8 million people who live in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and for Bear Valley, nearly 5 million who live in the Bay Area. Bear Valley is a perfect, natural and quiet alternative to Lake Tahoe.”

Sneyd said the Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative, which also sought to purchase the mountain this year, will remain involved in the ownership transition.

“Skyline was impressed by the passion, dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the Bear Valley Mountain Coop-erative and will work with their leadership in the coming weeks as they develop detailed plans for Bear Valley,” he said.

The deal is subject to the U.S. Forest Service issuing a permit to operate the resort, which is expected in 30 to 60 days.

[~mikey b]

Photosluts: Krystal Kartwright and young Owen

Lonesome Locomotive playing at DR on Saturday in the afternoon and Caffe Blossom in the evening. Ask for change for a nickel from the hippy guy at the Blossom bar. Might get you a beer.

[~mikey b]

FKNA! I love the sound of rain on a tin roof.

[~mikey b]

Base of Dodge Ridge today



Way Station

[Ottime]

Fuck yeah you guys got hit. So wish I was bring my wood up 108. Quite a bit thinner looking up here, but then again I have not entires out of the meadow yet. Will take a look in the morning.

[~mikey b]

Yeah but....

Hoping the near future bodes well.

Tomorrow night is the second night of Warren Miller at the State Theater in Modesto. We'll be at the 4pm showing, then watching holiday parade. Dinner and beers at Harvest Moon after.

[~mikey b]

Forecast looking good.

Winter Solstice party at my house Sat Dec 20. Keg of Celebration.

[~mikey b]

Dumping snow in Twain Harte right now. 8-10" at base of Dodge overnight. Not quite enough to open yet, but maybe today's forecasted snow will get us there for the weekend. Next week's forecast is promising. I know there are only a few of you out there that give a shit, but I'll do my best to keep you posted.

Cheers!

[meggers]

Keep dreaming of skiing at China Peak when I get home. Looks like they got a fair amount of snow and should open next weekend, but for now, I will deal with all the sheeple at Squaw. Definitely missing my home town resort on powder days.

[TBS]

Dumping snow in Twain Harte right now. 8-10" at base of Dodge overnight. Not quite enough to open yet, but maybe today's forecasted snow will get us there for the weekend. Next week's forecast is promising. I know there are only a few of you out there that give a shit, but I'll do my best to keep you posted.

Cheers!

Ullr provides for the Central Sierras!

[~mikey b]

DR is not going to open this weekend, but has announced a Wednesday opening day. Just need a little more snow and a little more time. Might roll over to BV this weekend...

[~mikey b]

http://youtu.be/XJl203DkeUM

[ScotFree]

Bear Valley was excellent today. It was really setting up toward the end of the day, however.
I was amused to see the pictures of the lines in Tahoe after spending the better part of the day skiing freshies.

[powfiend]

how much fell down there? Thinking about heading up sonora pass on tuesday, think there is enough snow to ride sleds up the road yet from the east side of 108?

[Ottime]

^^^I'd guess no, unless there was a hell of a lot more spill over the crest down there compared to Tahoe.

[ScotFree]

Bear got about 18 inches of thick heavy snow. I saw people sledding at about 5500' on hwy 4.

[~mikey b]

I'm in hospital so I'll be missing out on the DR opening but I'll be back soon.

[GiBo]

I'm in hospital so I'll be missing out on the DR opening but I'll be back soon.

??? ???

[TBS]

I'm in hospital so I'll be missing out on the DR opening but I'll be back soon.

Hope it's nothing serious. Heal up

[~mikey b]

Thanks guys. I'm home. Went to ER for previously diagnosed blocked/infected salivary gland. Emergency surgery and 3 nights in hospital. I'll be back working on light duty next week and hopefully skiing again before the new year. I look and feel like I've been in a knife fight. Doing way better.

[Gerome]

Ugh, my buddy got bit by a spider in Thailand back in 2007 on his neck or side of his face. He's had trouble with a salivary gland ever since. We missed a day of ice climbing in banff once because he was laid up for a couple days with an infection. Good luck!

[TBS]

I look and feel like I've been in a knife fight. Doing way better.

Probably looking better too!

[~mikey b]

Had to shave my beard. Haven't done that in over 20 years.

[GiBo]

Heal up Mike! Dodge Ridge needs you. Who else is going to track out those stashes off T-shot!

[~mikey b]

BUMP FOR SOME RETRO DODGE RIDGE STOKE!


http://youtu.be/DCCzNL3VOw0


Also, Bader Pass is open and China Peak will open Saturday 12/20/14