Snowboarding

Utah snow resort consolidation continues with news that Deer Valley Resort has “entered into an agreement to purchase Solitude Mountain Resort” and will start running the place on May 1, 2015.

“The DeSeelhorst family has enjoyed being a part of Solitude’s history for almost 40 years. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the resort and in our mountain community,” said Dave DeSeelhorst, owner and general manager of Solitude Mountain Resort. “We feel very fortunate for the opportunity to have worked with so many amazing people in our industry and most importantly being able to work with our incredible staff at Solitude over the years. It is exciting to pass on this unique and beautiful resort to one of the best resort operators in the country, Deer Valley.”

Will snowboarding be outlawed? Will Deer Valley bring in their butt wiping valets and nose powdering pamperers with them to Solitude? Will lift ticket prices sky rocket? Will the One Utah lift system finally bring Deer Valley and Big Cottonwood Canyon together? For answers to all these questions — and more– follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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U.S. District Judge Dee Benson has reportedly dismissed a Utah lawsuit brought by snowboards (Wasatch Equality) that claimed they have been discriminated against at Alta Ski Resort, according to a story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.

Benson wrote in a 30-page opinion that federal court was not the right arena for the snowboarders to argue they should be allowed on the Utah resort’s famed runs such as Baldy Chutes. . . “There are many forums plaintiffs can resort to in an attempt to accomplish their goal of snowboarding down the Baldy Chutes at Alta,” Benson wrote in his decision. “Seeking an injunction from this court is not one of them.”

Seems like a nice way for the judge to get out of making a decision, doesn’t it? The attorney who filed the lawsuit, Jon Schofield, say he and his clients are evaluating a possible appeal.

[Link: SLC Tribune]

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For years Mammoth Mountain has been Southern California’s favorite winter resort (even though it is technically in Northern California). Now, with Mammoth’s just announced purchase of Big Bear Mountain Resorts, Mammoth Mountain owns Southern California winters for real with four resorts total: Mammoth, June, Bear Mountain, and Snow Summit. And, yes, all of them will be grouped into one Cali4nia season pass for only $689 for adults.

“We couldn’t be more excited to enter into this agreement with Big Bear Mountain Resorts. These two uniquely southern California resorts have been providing great skiing, riding and biking experiences to visitors from California and beyond. Millions have enjoyed their first mountain resort experience on the slopes of Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, and we look forward to expanding upon the legacy that Dick Kun and his people have created over the past six decades,” said Rusty Gregory, Chairman and CEO of Mammoth Mountain. “This acquisition represents the beginning of a renaissance for both Mammoth and Big Bear and is the first step in the next era of skiing and riding in California. In the coming months we will be announcing exciting new development and expansion plans for each of our four resorts designed to attract visitors from down the street, across the country, and around the world.”

For people in Southern California this is the best season pass ever. Makes us almost feel sorry for Mountain High. For the official word from Mammoth, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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Powdr Corp. appears to have thrown in the towel in its long running legal battle with Talisker and Vail Resorts by finally deciding to sell Park City Mountain Resort to Vail for $183 million according to a story in Bloomberg Businessweek.

Vail will get the terrain owned by PCMR along with the base facilities—the parking, lift ticket offices, and other parts required for a functioning ski resort. The base also has zoning approval for almost 700,000 square feet of residential and commercial development.

Not only that, but Vail is planning to hook Park City up with Canyons to make the “largest single ski resort in the U.S., with 7,000 skiable acres.” But don’t worry for Powdr Corp just yet. They still own Copper, Killington, Mt. Bachelor, Boreal, Pico, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, Gorgoza Park, Soda Springs, and of course, Woodward Camps. It will likely be a little while longer before Vail gets there hands on all those.

Oh, and the good news for Vail Epic pass holders is that Park City is now included on your long list of resort options. For the official word from Vail, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

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