Central California

[~mikey b]

Looking forward to getting back on snow tomorrow.

[GiBo]

Sorry mike, haven't been since the 1st. How was it? I'm guessing it's pretty burnt.

[~mikey b]

Good corn today

[~mikey b]

some good park fun

and

3 year old Avery following in young Owen's ski tracks (figuratively not literally) with Dad in tow

we're having teh funz, yo!

[~mikey b]

I've got a few free DR vouchers for hardy souls

[~mikey b]

crap

Dodge closed today - we just couldn't keep it going - we tried

well, at least I can make it to the next couple of ski races since I won't be working

looking forward to some BV skiing and touring in the next couple of weeks

[SailCat]

crap

Dodge closed today - we just couldn't keep it going

Wow - first season in a long time that I haven't had a day at Dodge.

[GiBo]

Damn. Was looking forward to a spring BBQ at chair 5.

[~mikey b]

Well let's do something here. We can go walkies at Dodge and BBQ at my house after.

[TurxSki]

Hey Maggots!
There was a front page story in the SF Chron today about Bear Valley seeking to become a CO-OP like MRG!
Imho, you should start a New Thread for that, young TeleMike,
(Or is this Old News?)

[~mikey b]

what's old is new - this has been discussed

thanks for the head's up - I had not seen the article

need to contact Jaime...

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/B...or-5323080.php



After the latest potential buyer for Bear Valley Mountain Resort backed out, Steve Troyer decided there was only one way to keep the Sierra ski area alive - it was time to go co-op.

Troyer, a Bear Valley (Alpine County) resident, presented the idea to the homeowners association board after a bidder withdrew in September. A small group of skiers and homeowners is now trying to succeed at something that has only worked in one other place in the United States - they want to buy the resort and turn it into Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative.

"Steve Troyer had a sense of what the place is about," said Eric Friedman, the marketing director at Vermont's Mad River Glen, the only other ski resort co-op in the U.S. "The money is within the realm of reality. And they have the passion - the homeowners' future depends on it.

"We'd like to see someone else pull it off."

Bear Valley's mountain and village have been for sale on and off for years, and while serious inquiries have been made and due diligences done, no one has signed the bill of sale.

Thus, the local group's announcement. Should the current owners - a consortium of Dundee Bear Management, TBI Partners and Radar Partners - tire of running a ski area and turn off the power, skiers, homeowners and businesses along Route 4 would suffer. Bear Valley is between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, about an hour northeast of Angels Camp.
A co-op in Vermont

Troyer and his colleagues have been consulting with Mad River Glen, which has operated as a co-op since 1995 in northern Vermont's Green Mountains. Of the more than 450 ski areas in the U.S., it's the only successful cooperative.

"We get two or three calls a year from other ski areas that want to go co-op," Friedman said. "After the call, I always say, 'They don't have a prayer.' "

The problems often are threefold: a bad business model, not enough money and lack of passion, Friedman said. And all three are required for co-op success.

But after talking with the Bear Valley group, he said, "They were the exceptions, for sure."

Homeowners decided they needed to take action after the mountain almost didn't open in 2012.

"After that questionable season, (the owners) decided to cut their losses; they offered it for sale early in 2013," said Mike Wallenfels, a Bear Valley homeowner and active member of the interim Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative. "There was a long series of due diligence by a potential buyer. But in September, the process was 'on hold.'

"A lot of us homeowners said, 'We'd better step in and do something if we want to save the mountain. We need to take control of this ourselves.' "

That issue of self-control was a factor in the current iteration of Bear Valley. In the mid-1980s, Bay Area developer Chuck Toeniskoetter, then 60, bought up land in and around Bear Valley. Toeniskoetter put together a consortium to buy Bear Valley Mountain Resort from its longtime owners, the Bottomley family.
Started in 1968

The Bottomleys weren't the first owners; Bear Valley began life in 1968 as Mt. Reba Ski Bowl.

When the consortium bought it, it planned to build a lift from the middle of town and construct condominiums.

Toeniskoetter said at the time, "Now it's Bear Valley's turn to come alive."

And it might have - it's among the closest ski areas to Silicon Valley, which can make a big difference in times of heavy traffic or heavy snowfall - but for the dark triumvirate of economy, snow and exhaustion.

The economy went south, and with it went the money to buy that lift and sell many of those condos.

Then, with less snow in recent winters, it has become harder to attract skiers. Today, the upper half of the mountain is open, but the lower half has been closed all winter. While acknowledging the impact of a warming California, Wallenfels noted, "At Bear Valley, most of the skiing is at 7,500 feet and above."

There's a feeling in Bear Valley that after going through endless meetings and forms and committees and agencies to get approval for their development plan, the consortium ran out of steam - exhaustion finally trumped enthusiasm.

"In the past seven years, the partnership has spent a lot of time and money getting the entitlements completed," said Rosie Sundell, Bear Valley's sales and marketing director. "They put together a master plan, getting improvements like lodgings, a lift, restaurants, condos and business space approved. They had to go through the county and the Forest Service. They worked so hard, and it was such a challenging time. Now, they're looking for a fresh team with the energy and enthusiasm to see it through."
Hoping for a discount

According to Wallenfels, current owners were hoping for $8 million for the mountain, village and 10 acres before a previous potential buyer walked. The co-op team hopes they will be the successful suitors - and won't have to pay top dollar.

"There are more than 3,000 season-pass holders, plus local homeowners and businesses along the Highway 4 corridor, plus day skiers from Lodi and Stockton, plus a lot of people from Silicon Valley," Wallenfels said.

"For $2,500, you become a member."

But the co-op cannot yet accept members.

"We've formed a co-op based on the Mad River Glen model," Wallenfels said. "We've incorporated, spread the word, and are waiting for final California ... approval. Until we get that, we can't take money."

Wallenfels was also clear that this is not a hobby operation. "We're going to operate this as a business. We intend to turn a profit. Like Mad River Glen."

What's good and what's bad about a cooperative running a ski resort? Mad River Glen's Friedman is clear about that.

"It's both a great way to run a ski area and a really bad one," he said. "There's a lot that's good. We're making decisions as skiers. We're more about sport than money. People are willing to pitch in because it's really important to them.

"On the other hand, you've got an incredibly passionate group who is into the micromanagement of how big the chocolate chip cookies should be."
How to get involved

Organizers cannot accept co-op members until the state approves the plan, but they can take "donations of seed money for startup costs." For details, go to www.bvmcoop.org.

Jules Older is a freelance writer. Read his blog at http://blog.sfgate.com/ski.

[GiBo]

I saw that. Yes, semi-old news, but interesting it made the Chron. That's good for the co-op folks.

So would a membership get you?

[~mikey b]

I'll be at Bear this weekend for a race. Might have a voucher or two.

[~mikey b]

Gotta remain positive. It's been a season of ups and downs. One that reveals many strengths and weaknesses across the board. Still some great opportunities for teh funz! Good hiking, BV still rocking, a couple more ski races on the schedule and likely a trip to Bachy for a pro patroller clinic.

[GiBo]

If we're gonna walkie, maybe wait a few more weeks for SP to open? Will we see a new early opening record?

May head up to Bear. Have to help a buddy move. Hope to get that knocked out.

[~mikey b]

I'll be walking DR until the pass opens. Kid has spring break next week, so we'll probably pack up the camper and go on tour for race training.

[~mikey b]

Bear Valley and Mountain Adventure Seminar's Freeheel Festival is next weekend



There was segment on Capital Public Radio's Insight program a few minutes ago about Bear Valley's MRA proposal. Interview with Paul Peterson of BVXC and some VP from Vail who's name I forget. You can probably listen to it later.

Story in today's Calaveras Enterprise


Mountain company brings adventure to young and old

Posted: Friday, March 14, 2014 7:00 am | Updated: 11:38 am, Tue Mar 18, 2014.

By Stephen Crane

The lone biker they spotted behind them on the trail was trying to wave them down. The group of college buddies thought they were surely in trouble, since they were mountain biking on unfamiliar trails and doing so without permission.

The group picked up the pace, but the biker continued to gain on them. Finally, they resigned themselves to the potential repercussions of trespassing and stopped, waiting for the guy to catch up with them.

As it turns out, the man wasn’t there to bust them. Eric Bottomley was the son of Bear Valley Mountain’s owner, Jim, and he wanted to show the guys where the best biking trails were. The group of avid outdoorsmen hit it off and by the end of the riding day, Eric invited the strangers back to the lodge for the weekly gathering held for employees of the resort.

“(Eric) invited us to the staff barbecue and they all welcomed us in,” said Aaron Johnson, who’s now been in Bear Valley for more than two decades after that chance encounter on the biking trails around the resort.

On that fateful day some 21 years ago, those college friends, who had recently graduated, were headed up to Lake Tahoe to spend the winter skiing and enjoying the freedom of youth. After looking at the map, they decided to take a roundabout path to Tahoe.

“We wanted to head up to the mountains and took an alternative route through Highway 4,” Johnson said.

They stumbled on Bear Valley – a resort none of the group had even heard of before – and decided to check out the scene.

“We pulled out our mountain bikes and started riding,” Johnson said.

And the rest is history. Eric, who caught up with them on the bikes, proved a kindred companion and showed a sense of hospitality that altered the lives of those friends forever.

“That (day) changed our minds and we decided to stay in Bear Valley for the winter,” Johnson said. “Twenty-one years, and I’m still here.”

After a few years of working at the resort and waiting tables at a local restaurant, Johnson was approached by a friend who wanted to start a business centered on rock climbing.

“After a couple mutations, we decided to start a rock climbing school,” Johnson said.

That school would allow them to take advantage of the warmer months, but the winter months were a different story.

“And at the end of the first summer, we were like, ‘Oh, dear, what do we do?’ And Paul (Petersen) said, ‘Why don’t you take over my cross-country ski school?’”

“I always wanted Bear Valley to have all things cross-country covered,” said Petersen, who owns Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Co. “And when (Johnson) said, ‘Hey, I’d like to take on the telemark skiing at the mountain,’ he just looked like the kind of guy that would do a good job.”

Following the first year, Johnson decided to expand the options at the climbing school by offering mountain guide workshops, avalanche education and ski instruction so he began the certification process.

“In our second year of

operation, we pursued accreditation with the American Mountain Guides Association,” Johnson said.

As the industry leader in all things hardcore climbing, AMGA provides detailed critiques of potential instructors and assures only the top-notch programs are sanctioned by the group.

Mountain Adventure Semi-nars received the accreditation and has taken people on unforgettable mountain adventures ever since. The activity list includes rock climbing, mountaineering, avalanche training, snowshoeing and backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

“Rock climbing is our mainstay in the summer,” said Johnson. “Mountaineering is our mainstay in spring and fall. Avalanching is our mainstay in the middle of winter.”

They also operate a telemark ski school, in addition to Sno-Cat tours at Bear Valley Mountain Resort.

“We’re teaching people from 5 years old to 70 years old,” Johnson said, who operates the business with his wife, Kimi.

“She actually came to work as a (mountain) guide,” Johnson said. “We have now been married 12 years and we have two kids.”

The couple has a passion for the outdoors, and that passion is the driving force behind their business, which will host its first Freeheel Festival at the end of the month for other outdoor enthusiasts to get out on the snow and hone their skills.

The new festival is the natural evolution of the telemark festival Johnson held for more than 10 years at Bear Valley. Telemark skiing is when the binding allows the skier’s heel to lift while making turns down the mountain, and thus demands far more technical skiing abilities.

The three-day Freeheel Festival will include “everything you loved about the Telemark Festival, plus more enthusiasts and more styles,” according to Johnson.

The itinerary includes tours, clinics and workshops for telemark skiers, in addition to randonee, alpine touring, backcountry and splitboarding riders. An adventure race is also slated for Saturday morning.

“Backcountry travel incorporates so many disciplines,” said Kimi Johnson. “And this festival provides great exposure to all the elements.”

The Freeheel Festival will take place Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30, at Bear Valley. Cost is $235 for the whole weekend or a la carte events start at $50 each. For more information on the festival and on Mountain Adventure Seminars, visit mtadventure.com or call 753-6556.

Contact Stephen Crane at stephen.calent@gmail.com.

[LightRanger]

Locally Owned Skiing
Co-op formed to potentially purchase California's Bear Valley Mountain
by: Powder Magazine published: March 20, 2014 13 Comments
4
Any self-respecting ski area has to have a sun deck with a good view. The lodge at Bear Valley Ski Area. PHOTO: Matt Hansen

Any ski area worth a cooperative has to have a sun deck with a good view. The lodge at Bear Valley Ski Area. A group of impassioned skiers are forming a cooperative to buy this mountain. PHOTO: Matt Hansen

WORDS: Eugene Buchanan

Hey, Californians: Want to own part of a ski area? Here’s your chance.

California’s Bear Valley Mountain could soon be going the way of REI, the Green Bay Packers, and Vermont’s Mad River Glen by becoming a co-op.

“The mountain is having challenges and the owners are trying to sell it,” says former Mountain Hardwear and Timbuktu CEO Mike Wallenfells, who has a house in Bear Valley and has been skiing it for years. “We’ve formed a cooperative that hopes to take over the mountain and make a uniquely locally owned and operated community mountain…think Mad River Glen in Vermont.”

Mad River Glen is the only other resort in the country currently owned by a co-op, which has proven a successful model. Wallenfell’s group—headed by Bear Valley second-homeowner Steve Troyer, whose father is longtime friends with Mad River’s former owner—is hoping to emulate the Eastern approach out West. “We’re closely matching their process and template,” adds Wallenfells, interim board member for the newly formed Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative. “We’re in the process of making our initial offer for the mountain, village, and lodge.”

Bear Valley Ski Resort first opened as Mount Reba Ski Bowl in 1967 and quickly became a top-notch destination by the early ’70s. In 1991 it changed its name to Bear Valley Mountain Resort, which was purchased in 2005 by Dundee Bear Management (which owns Colorado’s Arapahoe Basin) and California investment partners TBI and Radar. After putting its first big condo development on the market in 2008 right before the market crashed, plans stalled. Over the next four years they got approval to put in a new Bear Valley Lodge, but have now decided to sell. After a potential sale fell through last fall, Troyer met with the community about creating the co-op alternative.
The Grizzly Chair, servicing steep bowls and chutes, is an original Riblet double from the late 1960s. Still going strong. PHOTO: MATT HANSEN

The Grizzly Chair, servicing steep bowls and chutes, is an original Riblet double from the late 1960s. Still going strong. PHOTO: MATT HANSEN

The resort, which is the closest major ski area to the Bay Area, currently has about 3,000 season ticket holders and sees 120,000 skier days per season. Many longtime guests also relish its lift-accessed backcountry terrain.

Here’s how it will work. California residents or businesses can buy one share each for $2,500, which gives shareholders the right to vote, member benefits, and a say in how the mountain and village are operated. This amount can be paid up-front or over 36 months at $70/month with a $100 initial payment. Owners can also sell their shares back to the cooperative. An additional $300 annual fee can be applied to owners’ season-pass purchase (which also costs $300), and also gives owners free skier days for friends and family, discounts on services and merchandise, and the potential for dividends.

“We involved the local community from the beginning,” says Wallenfells, adding that the co-op’s bylaws have a cap of 4,000 members. “Our goal is to make this a sustainable operation, not a large profit-making machine.”

Wallenfells and other co-op organizers feel there are enough passionate fans of Bear Valley that they’ll be able to achieve the membership goal. If the co-op doesn’t end up buying the resort, owners will get refunded their investment. “We thought that 4,000 members was a comfortable enough number to get enough capital to make the purchase, overcome some of the resort’s deferred maintenance needs, and have reserves for future development,” he says.
The day lodge and parking area are a mid-mountain, with all the beginner and intermediate terrain at the upper elevations. To get to the good stuff, you ski down from the parking lot in this photo to a zone called Snow Valley and Grizzly Bowl. The terrain in the background is out of bounds, but accessible via the resort’s “soft” boundaries. PHOTO: Matt Hansen

The day lodge and parking area are a mid-mountain, with all the beginner and intermediate terrain at the upper elevations. To get to the good stuff, you ski down from the parking lot in this photo to a zone called Snow Valley and Grizzly Bowl. The terrain in the background is out of bounds, but accessible via the resort’s “soft” boundaries. PHOTO: Matt Hansen

And a co-op program is the perfect ownership solution, he adds. “Just like Mad River, Bear Valley has a good pool of devoted skiers and riders who are very passionate about the mountain,” he says. “A lot of people have been skiing here for more than 20 years. They understand it, know what makes it unique, and aren’t going to try and turn it into something else.”

“And the best thing is that the collective owners will get to decide its future,” he adds. “Every owner has a vote at the table and all decisions can be decided by the people who use it most. With a lot of other ownership structures, potential profits are often destined for someplace else.”

For more information, click-over to the Bear Valley Mountain Cooperative’s website.

http://www.powdermag.com/stories/locally-owned-skiing/

[~mikey b]

Fantastic day at BV today. Cornlicious!

[~mikey b]

Young Owen 2nd Sat and 3rd Sun U10 boys!

[NHguy]

Young Owen 2nd Sat and 3rd Sun U10 boys!

^^^^^^ like this lots! congrats O! and thanks for sharing, proud dad

[GiBo]

Go O!

12345

[~mikey b]

a great weekend at BV

2nd on Saturday



3rd on Sunday






raging on Monday

[~mikey b]

Bear Valley is offering $10 tickets to all season pass holders from any ski area in the US. Looking good for the next few days.

http://youtu.be/DEsf27q4J-E

[~mikey b]

BV was rad yesterday. Looking forward to Sat Sun