The consolidation of California’s smaller ski resorts moved forward today as Invision Capital, owners of Mountain High and Dodge Ridge, announced that they had purchased the Fresno adjacent China Peak from long time owner Tim Cohee.
“As of Friday I have completed the sale of China Peak Mountain Resort to Private Equity firm, Invision Capital, based in Chicago,” said Cohee. “I have agreed to remain General Manager for the foreseeable future. We weren’t anxious sellers but Karl and Invision were very interested in having a resort group that covers most of California’s market geographically.”
We’re big fans of resorts that are not part of the “super mega pass” industrial complex so we’re not sure if this is good news exactly. Bundling smaller resorts into larger bites makes it easier for the big guys to hoover them up, but until then this is a great little group of California resorts to spend some time with. For all the official details please follow the jump.
Mountain High, Dodge Ridge Owners Purchase Central California’s China Peak
Wrightwood, CA – December 12, 2022: Mountain High and Dodge Ridge Owners, Invision Capital and Karl Kapuscinski, announced Friday their purchase of China Peak from long-time owner Tim Cohee, a ski industry veteran who’s spent the past 12 years at the helm of China Peak. Cohee will stay on as the resort’s general manager.
“As of Friday I have completed the sale of China Peak Mountain Resort to Private Equity firm, Invision Capital, based in Chicago,” said Cohee. “I have agreed to remain General Manager for the foreseeable future. We weren’t anxious sellers but Karl and Invision were very interested in having a resort group that covers most of California’s market geographically.”
All three resorts, which are stacked south-to-north along a 300-mile stretch of California mountains, are members of the Indy Pass and the reciprocal Powder Alliance partnership. Kapuscinski sees enormous opportunity in uniting the three areas under common ownership and creating a centralized pass for regional skiers.
With the purchase, Invision becomes the third entity to own three or more ski areas in California, joining Vail Resorts’ three (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar), and Alterra Mountain Company’s five (Mammoth, June, Palisades Tahoe, Big Bear, and Snow Summit). Kapuscinski said that the purchase was a direct reaction to the footprint- creep of the Epic and Ikon Passes whose build-up of high-profile resorts – particularly around Lake Tahoe – has rapidly changed the state’s season pass market.
“Skiers are now trained to look for multi-mountain products so it’s difficult as a standalone operator,” Kapuscinski said. “We see a huge advantage in having all three resorts under the same umbrella versus fighting alone.”
Invision is now the 12th U.S.-based entity to own three or more ski areas, and one of a growing number of regional operators building their own mini-networks to create local alternatives to the national megapasses. The addition of China Peak comes just 16 months after Invision and Kapuscinski, who has run Mountain High since 1997, purchased Dodge Ridge from longtime owners, Frank and Sally Helm. “We may not be finished,” Kapuscinski said confirming he and Invision would like to add more ski areas to the portfolio.
By joining forces, Kapuscinski and Cohee will combine their operational strengths to enhance all three resorts.
Said Kapuscinski, “I’m excited to have someone with Tim’s vast experience on our team. We’re looking forward to great things.”
Mountain High Resorts is Southern California’s closest winter destination located just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County. The area consists of three separate mountains (East Resort, West Resort, and North Resort) and offers a wide variety of lifts and trails, a world-class terrain park, an outstanding winter sports school and three Yeti’s Snow Parks. Night skiing and snowboarding are available Wed-Sun peak season and snowmaking covers more than 80 percent of the slopes. Mountain High traditionally operates from mid-November to mid-April. Visit www.mthigh.com for more information. Mountain High is an equal opportunity service provider operating under an Angeles National Forest special use permit.
China Peak is located 65 miles east of Fresno, at Huntington Lake. The resort is an excellent midsize mountain offering 1,700 vertical and 1,400 acres of terrain with a variety to suit all levels. Average snowfall is 325 inches and the longest run is 2.5 miles. Lodging is just steps away at the Cozy Inn @ China Peak. www.skichinapeak.com
Located in Tuolumne County off highway 108, Dodge Ridge is by far the closest snow to Bay Area and Central Valley locations. The resort offers a 1,600 foot vertical drop, 12 lifts and 862 acres of skiable terrain. For reservations and additional information please visit DodgeRidge.com
