Heard that it is now official, group from Pittsburgh is taking over.
Scott Bender from ski history (springs then Valley) is to be running things
This will be good for BK skiing as long as the buyers put money modernizing the resort and take max advantage of the opportunities offered by the site.
We've been hearing that rumor for a while now. Former manager Doug Houk said they float that one every year to try to sell some condos and passes. Let's see if this time it's true.
Laurel Hill Crazie wrote:
We've been hearing that rumor for a while now. Former manager Doug Houk said they float that one every year to try to sell some condos and passes. Let's see if this time it's true.
I had a long time BK ski patroller who lives near me tell me a few weeks ago that a sale may happen soon. But I'm kind of like LHC, I'll believe it when I see it. If Mr. Bender brings some strong experience in the ski biz to help run BK that can only be good.
I'm for whatever form of management and investment level keeps the crowds low and prices lower on average.If I was looking for a high teck, highly popular, super crowded state of the art ski experience I'd go to Snowshoe or Vail.
As for uphill transport, I'll take a slower ride up while sitting down over a faster ride up but possible longer wait standing in the line at the bottom of a high speed detachable. My legs appreciate longer breaks between runs, especially longer runs.
This is being reported in the papers:
http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2017/07/blue-knob-resort-sold
According to a web site that tracks companies in PA, Sustainable Hospitality & Development, LP was created in February 2015. It is a domestic limited partnership with offices at 301 Grant Street in Pittsburgh. There are 2 other compainies that share the same address including SHD Management, LLC. I wonder if these are the same group, with a different name, that tried to buy Hidden Valley from Buncher and then fund development using the EB5 visa program (same program used by Jay Peake to fund development).
imp got the scoop on this one. It looks like it might be too late to get the capital in place to do the proposed improvements. The DCNR is on board with the lease transfer. No mention of DCNR funds going into improvements at this time. As the article states, only the top of the mountain is within the state park and I think that includes the lodge and maintenance/snowmaking buildings, and land around the unload terminals. It would be nice if the could increase pump and pressure to get faster coverage. I hope it all works out.
Blue Knob didn't open until 1963/64 but it has a very good blood line to the earliest history of the sport in the United States, that being the person regarded to be the Father of American Skiing, Otto Schneibs. who famously proclaimed, "Skiing is not just a sport, it is way of life." Otto was the first Arlberg trained ski instructor in the US. He came to Boston in 1927 and soon his popular demonstrations and lessons lead him to the coaching spot for the Yale Ski Team which became the collegiate powerhouse, Otto is one of America's the most influential ski pioneers.
This is exciting. I wish the new group success and thank the old group for staying the course over so many years. While Blue Knob never seemed to get past the diamond in the rough stage, it's still a diamond and can shine brightly with a little polish.
LHC, what was Otto Schneibs role in the development of Blue Knob?
Otto laid out the original trails, just as his mentor, Hannes Schneider, did at Laurel.
It was Dartmouth, specifically the Dartmouth outing club that led the development of skiing in the US prior to WW2. Schneibs coached the Dartmouth ski team. Perhaps he coached at Yale at some point, but it was Dartmouth that was key to US skiing in those years.
Denis wrote:
It was Dartmouth, specifically the Dartmouth outing club that led the development of skiing in the US prior to WW2. Schneibs coached the Dartmouth ski team. Perhaps he coached at Yale at some point, but it was Dartmouth that was key to US skiing in those years.
Dartmouth, not Yale. You are correct. My mistake..
It would seem that if the new owners need to borrow $2.5 million to build a terrain park, they must not have deep pockets.
snowsmith wrote:
It would seem that if the new owners need to borrow $2.5 million to build a terrain park, they must not have deep pockets.
They've had a terrain park one trail over from where the NASTAR Route 66 course reaides for at least the past 5 seasons. What are they doing, building a Super Pipe??
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2017/07/17/Blue-Knob-resort-purchased-by-Pittsburgh-investors/stories/201707170107
Interesting article. It seems that at least 2 of the management or investment team were part of the group that tried to buy HV.
It sounds like a solid crew. Perhaps they have the wherewithal to polish that diamond in the rough that we all know BK to be.
Here's the link to the Post-Gazette article by Larry Walsh:
The lawyer has been trying to get a ski area for years, talked to Dupre's before nutting, talked to Kettlers before Buncher then to buncher before Springs.
Hope it works out for them
imp
Nothing new in this SAM article, but makes it feel like the sale is more real now that it's been recognized by a ski industry management organization.
http://www.saminfo.com/headline-news/8914-blue-knob-pa-acquired-by-investment-group
Be interesting to see when the new website is ready.
that is Larry Walsh's article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazzette in sam without credit
Hey Scott - how about interviewing Scott Bender about this groups plans for BK. I am sure they would appreciate some free publicity.
snowsmith wrote:
Hey Scott - how about interviewing Scott Bender about this groups plans for BK. I am sure they would appreciate some free publicity.
Great idea. This is fantastic news for DC skiers, especially those of us who live in MD suburbs. If they can manage to make some snow and deliver some reliable cover I think there are a lot of folks who will be willing drive up the interstate from Montgomery/Howard/Frederick county.
