New England Balsams Receives Wetlands Permit; Redevelopment Is On A Roll

[Carl]

It looks like Les Otten is moving forward with his new project to expand the Balsams wilderness ski area. I was surprised to read that the plans include 2,000 acres of alpine terrain serviced by 23 lifts at final build-out. I visited the area in 1985 for a conference but never skied there. It was very small back then. It is a beautiful area in northern New Hampshire. Here is the article...

http://www.snocountry.com/en/news/entry/balsams-receives-wetlands-permit-re-development-is-on-a-roll


Here are some details on the expansion plans...

http://www.newenglandskihistory.com...wHampshire/balsamswilderness/dixvillepeak.php

 

[scott43]

I kinda don't get this dev. Is there really a prospect to make money at it? Seems like there are a lot of legit good resorts already that don't seem to be swimming in cash..

 

[James]

I think It's part of the thinking that the only reliable snow in the future will be North. South of Stowe basically will be rough. So Jaypeak, Burke, now Balsalms. That Northeast Kingdom is more likely to be in snow even now and Balsalms is way east and north.
I suppose the Maine resorts will hurt from this a little and maybe less to Tremblant. Possibly Jay loses some?

 

[scott43]

I think It's part of the thinking that the only reliable snow in the future will be North. South of Stowe basically will be rough. So Jaypeak, Burke, now Balsalms. That Northeast Kingdom is more likely to be in snow even now and Balsalms is way east and north.
I suppose the Maine resorts will hurt from this a little and maybe less to Tremblant. Possibly Jay loses some?

I suppose that's possible. And the base elevation is a bit higher than the Quebec resorts. I dunno..I wish him luck!

 

[Carl]

I'll be curious to see what kind of terrain they end up with. That area is absolutely beautiful so it should be a nice place to ski.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

I think there are a lot of people that plan to get rich building this resort. Operating it, not so much.

 

[Carl]

I think there are a lot of people that plan to get rich building this resort. Operating it, not so much.

I'd like to see the business plan, with economic and financial analysis, used to raise the money.

 

[Doug Briggs]

To revive an old thread for what might (?) be a dying enterprise...

BALSAMS APPLICATION WITHDRAWN FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS FINANCE AUTHORITY

The article makes it sound, at least to me, that the financing was pretty important to the success of the project.

 

[x10003q]

NH correctly decided not be on the hook for The Balsams.

 

[Erik Timmerman]

News today from Coos County

Otten outlines new plan to rebuild Balsams resort

December 11th, 2021 “‘To be clear, there is no financial commitment or liability of the county whatsoever. The bonds are not an obligation of the county in any way. They are solely the …

thebalsamsresort.com

 

[James]

Don’t get the non-profit thing.

 

[scott43]

DOA..