The Ravines Ski Resort

[InSearchofSnow]

Hey everyone, hoping your enjoying your winter as much as I am.

For a recent class at college, we had to prepare a business plan. While most students built pizzerias or bars, I designed a resort.

The resort is called the Ravines, and would be located right on Mount Washington ire. The resort would be built on the assumption the US Forest Service would actually lease several hundred acres to my company. A couple of months ago, I got some great suggestions from some posters on this board, so I'm hoping some of you would be interested in seeing it.

For anyone who would like to see the resort and its plans, post your email or send it to me through a personal email within this forum. Your criticism are thanks are both welcomed.

and of course, I'm graduating from college in May, so if anyone likes what they see, keep me in mind.


Think snow.

[PWDR8S]

Could you post a few parts in this thread? I'm certain that you'ld get many a comment.

[InSearchofSnow]

Could you post a few parts in this thread? I'm certain that you'ld get many a comment.

I'll post the executive summary, the whole file is 17- 18 MB, so I'd have to email the entire thing.

The Ravines Mountain Resort
Executive Summary
The majestic Mount Washington in New Hampshire has always attracted the world’s
most adventurous people. The mountain, known as “Great Spirit” to the Native
Americans, is the tallest in the Northeastern United States. The winter months attract
thousands of people every year to ski, hike, climb and drive up one the most
intimidating mountains in the United States.
The Ravines Mountain Resort will be located just south of Pinkham Notch, NH at a base
elevation of 1800 feet. From here, several ski lifts will o!er lift serviced skiing to 5200
feet, with hiking terrain o!ered to 6250 feet, dependent on weather. With this option,
the Ravines will o!er an unheard of 4450 feet of vertical drop, the highest vertical drop
in the United States.
With challenging terrain and superior weather patterns, the Ravines will be the most
unique ski area in the country. Our winter operations will not cease until Memorial Day
and beyond due to a natural phenomenon that gives the resort new snow into the
summer months.
The resort will consist of 58 ski trails and two bowls. These bowls o!er the most
challenging terrain on the East Coast, while our trails o!er something for every skier.
During the summer, the area will transform into a mountain biking and hiking
paradise. All of are guests will be able to enjoy these di!erent activities through the
resort’s lodging and dining services.
The Ravines is more than just a resort, it’s a fantastic investment opportunity. With a
$129 million investment, the resort can be built and operational in two years. The
resort will not only pay back the long term investment in 10 years, it will maintain
positive cash flows and increasing profits through its early years.
We expect the resort to find its niche in the market very quickly, and are excited to
begin this new venture.
3

[skibumnh]

I have to keep telling myself this is just a concept for a school project so I don't lose it... anyone else?

So what sort of criticisms are you looking for? Are you graded on the feasibility and realistic potential of your concept? For example, your proposed resort would likely be on wind hold for 90% of all operating days.

[TuaGuy]

As I understand it, this is a major project for the end of a senior year. Ben Bernanke's work on the Great Depression in a slightly more advanced stage of education landed him some serious gigs. One question: is this for the A, or some seminal garage project to Apple? The responses you get may depend on the answer ,". ..If anyone likes what they see, keep me in mind....." Just curious.

[InSearchofSnow]

I have to keep telling myself this is just a concept for a school project so I don't lose it... anyone else?

So what sort of criticisms are you looking for? Are you graded on the feasibility and realistic potential of your concept? For example, your proposed resort would likely be on wind hold for 90% of all operating days.

I got an A on the report, professor said he's never seen such an ambitious project that actually looked great on paper. It was graded on accuracy and financial mainly.

I've got 7 lifts at the resort, and only one is completely above treeline( From Tux ravine floor toward Boot Spur). So even if the top lifts can't function, I've got 4 below 4000 feet to play with.

[InSearchofSnow]

As I understand it, this is a major project for the end of a senior year. Ben Bernanke's work on the Great Depression in a slightly more advanced stage of education landed him some serious gigs. One question: is this for the A, or some seminal garage project to Apple? The responses you get may depend on the answer. Just curious.

I just want to hear some opinions from this board because no one knows skiing on Mt Washington better than you guys. I'll take any criticisms and appreciative comments, it will only make my future work stronger.

[TuaGuy]

I just want to hear some opinions from this board because no one knows skiing on Mt Washington better than you guys. I'll take any criticisms and appreciative comments, it will only make my future work stronger.
I think you've answered my question. No further comment.

[RCL1]

But as one who would have liked to see ski area development end with the CCC trails* it's a thoroughly frightening vision. :eek:

*A modern version of the Civilian Conservation Corps would be a good jobs program right now, methinks.

-RL

[icelanticskier]

i think an under-cliff elevator would be great for gaining the alpine garden above tucks. a magic carpet lift could enter a tunnel from near the base of lunch rocks and lead to a 10 passenger elevator to bring you up the tucks/alpine garden trail junction with BC access gates leading towards some of the other drainages for off piste skiing. you could also have a cat skiing operation that gives you access to the upper snowfields when the weather is good.

fun to think about and potentially the biggest vert of any ski area in the U.S.....
EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI!!!!

fun project!

rog

[mtd2007]

i think an under-cliff elevator would be great for gaining the alpine garden above tucks. a magic carpet lift could enter a tunnel from near the base of lunch rocks and lead to a 10 passenger elevator to bring you up the tucks/alpine garden trail junction with BC access gates leading towards some of the other drainages for off piste skiing. you could also have a cat skiing operation that gives you access to the upper snowfields when the weather is good.

fun to think about and potentially the biggest vert of any ski area in the U.S.....
EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI!!!!

fun project!

rog

oh yeh, had that in zermatt, no wind delays, we had a really interesting day where the conditions where pretty much white out once we emerged from the 'tunnel', not an elevator more an internal gondi/people mover -

[icelanticskier]

this is kinda off topic, but i must say that i'm pretty frickin excited about the loaf maybe installing a 2800 vert t2b gondola like they used to have, but newer and more weather friendly. full t2b runs at a hill like the loaf from just 1 lift? unreal! bring it back! please!

rog

[Rider.Steve]

no wind delays, we had a really interesting day where the conditions where pretty much white out once we emerged from the 'tunnel'-

They only have "wind" delays in Bass-holes when some-one farts.

[RR]

But as one who would have liked to see ski area development end with the CCC trails* it's a thoroughly frightening vision. :eek:

*A modern version of the Civilian Conservation Corps would be a good jobs program right now, methinks.

-RLx2

As an exercise...sure, nice bit of conjuring. It's a dreadful thing to do to Mount Washington.

Bear in mind that there was a snow cat experiment some 30 years ago and just recently the Cog was tried as a ski lift. Thankfully both attempts proved to be money pits and were abandoned.

This is not like the ski areas in the Alps or the Rockies (or any other heavily developed skiing range). Those places are mostly mild in climate compared to Mount Washington. This mountain we love kills people with weather alone. Even well prepared and experienced folk perish in minutes when the factors so align.

You want to open the mountain to people too lax to earn their turns? Most of them will be in the most horrible peril...one mistake could kill them. Patrol Mount Washington in winter?

SAR will not go out on 15-25% of the Winter days as it is. Whaddaya planning to do RF all the customers? Post RF readers in a dense pattern all over the hill so you can track them all? You would need a super computer to manage it.

[mtd2007]

They only have "wind" delays in Bass-holes when some-one farts.

true that, although the farts were less offensive then euro bo ....

[InSearchofSnow]

x2

As an exercise...sure, nice bit of conjuring. It's a dreadful thing to do to Mount Washington.

Bear in mind that there was a snow cat experiment some 30 years ago and just recently the Cog was tried as a ski lift. Thankfully both attempts proved to be money pits and were abandoned.

This is not like the ski areas in the Alps or the Rockies (or any other heavily developed skiing range). Those places are mostly mild in climate compared to Mount Washington. This mountain we love kills people with weather alone. Even well prepared and experienced folk perish in minutes when the factors so align.

You want to open the mountain to people too lax to earn their turns? Most of them will be in the most horrible peril...one mistake could kill them. Patrol Mount Washington in winter?

SAR will not go out on 15-25% of the Winter days as it is. Whaddaya planning to do RF all the customers? Post RF readers in a dense pattern all over the hill so you can track them all? You would need a super computer to manage it.


The weather was the biggest concern, by far.

I focused on having several terrain options below 4,000 feet to guarantee skiing even on the rough days. There's only one lift in the plans above treeline, and that's a funitel from the ravine floor to the top of Tux, and that wouldn't even open until April 1st, at least.

[TuaGuy]

x2

As an exercise...sure, nice bit of conjuring. It's a dreadful thing to do to Mount Washington.

Bear in mind that there was a snow cat experiment some 30 years ago and just recently the Cog was tried as a ski lift. Thankfully both attempts proved to be money pits and were abandoned.

This is not like the ski areas in the Alps or the Rockies (or any other heavily developed skiing range). Those places are mostly mild in climate compared to Mount Washington. This mountain we love kills people with weather alone. Even well prepared and experienced folk perish in minutes when the factors so align.

You want to open the mountain to people too lax to earn their turns? Most of them will be in the most horrible peril...one mistake could kill them. Patrol Mount Washington in winter?

SAR will not go out on 15-25% of the Winter days as it is. Whaddaya planning to do RF all the customers? Post RF readers in a dense pattern all over the hill so you can track them all? You would need a super computer to manage it.
Good points, all. The Forest Service shut down heli access skiing from the summit in the 60's for many of them. Look at the ski hills that have survived from the earlier era, and the changes to the terrain that has been wreaked on the original based on masses-spending-money-based skiing and keeping the lawyers on retainer who have an eye to tort law (abuses) that applies to ski industry happy. This ain't Europe, where the skier who gets into trouble of his own making can't just celly his lawyer and be confident of a settlement. I'm sitting here thinking this is all academic, it can't happen. But if somebody comes up with a viable plan that makes a lot of money and includes the government as a beneficiary,...I don't know. To the original course project premise: interesting. If you're headed to law school, can you design a defense for the next project A?

[natron]

this is kinda off topic, but i must say that i'm pretty frickin excited about the loaf maybe installing a 2800 vert t2b gondola like they used to have, but newer and more weather friendly. full t2b runs at a hill like the loaf from just 1 lift? unreal! bring it back! please!

rog

The cabins have been their for 1 1/2 yrs. trucked in from big sky.
I've heard from patrollers up there, the issue is the town planning board and voting on this issue, people have been going back and forth on the issue and Boyne is also hesitant in investing big capital in the loaf, to busy milkin the riv cow, fueled by the out of staters. we shall see.. if they do get the cabins up it would be awesome, cuz those lifts are the achilles heal of the loaf.

[natron]

good topic. personally I disagree and would like to see no further construction of any sort on MTW. It needs to be protected!! to much access already!! a road, a train, gift shop...

[T0DD]

is opening a new mountain in New Hampshire. Maybe something with only one lift to keep costs down, but a ton of skin to terrain from either the top or bottom. Something no frills.

[TuaGuy]

is opening a new mountain in New Hampshire. Maybe something with only one lift to keep costs down, but a ton of skin to terrain from either the top or bottom. Something no frills.Insteresting idea. Now to either be a viable nonprofit or figure out how to make the margin. Count me in, given a or b.