Ragged Mountain Is Saved!

[PWDR8S]

Yes, you heard right! I just heard on the morning news here in NH that Ragged Mountain was bought by 'out of staters' and they plan to make some improvements to the lifts AND snowmaking and hope to have it all done for November this year! http://timefortuckerman.com/photopost/data/774/1659woohoo.gif

[RR]

Here's the deal: RMR-Pacific bought Ragged. Bob Fries is now the Resort President (pronounced "Freeze", way :cool:)

Details from the website below --


Projects underway include:

Lifts:

Servicing Spear Lift to have operational this season.
Servicing Northeast Peak to have operational
New cable for Village Green Lift
New Wonder Carpet Lift for beginners

Snowmaking
14,000 feet of new pipe on the mountain
New energy efficient guns
Strong air compressor fleet (4 units)

Grooming
2 new (2004 model) Bombardier Groomers

Base Lodge
All new carpeting
Repair of entry steps and brick walkways
Seasonal Lockers for rent
Outdoor fire pit

Food and Beverage
Wood –Fired Pizza oven on 2nd floor of Elmwood Lodge
“Raggamuffins” mid-mountain soup/chili/chowder restaurant
We are working hard to get all done by November. Many items, such as 14,000 feet of pipe, 2,000 yards of carpet, etc. have ordering lead times. Many of these items are arriving in September.

RAGGED MOUNTAIN NAMES NEW RESORT PRESIDENT

DANBURY, NH - The recently purchased Ragged Mountain Resort took a giant step toward revitalizing itself today by naming Bob Fries as the new resort president. Fries (pronounced "Freeze") will be responsible for the overall operations of the resort including skiing, golf, and real estate.

Fries has accumulated a wealth of ski resort experience over the past 35 years, including the last five years as the owner and president of Bolton Valley Resort in Vermont. He has also served as president of Stratton Resort in Vermont, as president of the Olympic Regional Development Authority in Lake Placid, New York, and as general manager of Breckenridge Resort in Colorado.

Fries' ski industry career began in New Hampshire in 1973 as the controller at Waterville Valley Resort. By 1980, he had been promoted to general manager of Waterville, and he spent the next twelve years guiding the year-round operations and real estate projects there. During that time he also served as the president of the New Hampshire Ski Areas Association.

"We are incredibly fortunate that Bob Fries just completed the sale of his ownership in Bolton Valley and was available to lead our team at Ragged Mountain," noted Douglas Anderson, one of the partners in RMR-Pacific which is the new owner of the resort. "Bob has some of the best experience in the ski business, and I think the Lifetime Achievement Award he received last month from the Vermont Ski Areas Association speaks volumes about his credibility within this industry," concluded Anderson.

Gerald Jackson, another RMR-Pacific partner explained, "We recognize that Ragged Mountain is not up to the standards we would like to see for the resort going forward. Bob understands the type of quality product we would like to put forth, and we couldn't be more pleased about having him onboard."

Fries inherits a resort that has had sparse investment over the past several years. "We will spend a substantial amount of money this summer just on deferred maintenance and infrastructure issues. While we will make more significant changes over the next few years, my primary focus right now is to provide a much improved experience for our guests this winter," Fries reported.

[M@]

I love the new lifts, and more snowmaking, and pizza is nice - but you had me at mid mountain chili. I shall ski ragged again. It holds many secrets. In other words - Ragged sucks.

M@

[Seeker]

I love the new lifts, and more snowmaking, and pizza is nice - but you had me at mid mountain chili. I shall ski ragged again. It holds many secrets. In other words - Ragged sucks.

M@


Hmmm...skied there once when Telemark tried boarding. I was a total newb and conditions were crumbled-up death cookies. But I still had fun.

Always worth a second look at some point, eh?

[surf88]

http://timefortuckerman.com/photopost/data/774/1659woohoo.gifIndeed.
Thats a great little mountain. It has been sad to watch it deteriorate recently. The last time I went there conditions were bullet proof. I look forward to its return, and also the return of Tenney mtn.

[PWDR8S]

Hmmm...skied there once when Telemark tried boarding. I was a total newb and conditions were crumbled-up death cookies. But I still had fun.

Always worth a second look at some point, eh?

How long ago? They're making advances in the snow quality! What with new groomers and snow making eq..... We'll see good changes a comin'!

[stoneman]

I always liked going to Ragged as it was pretty close to home & never was too crowded. Hopefully the new owners will keep the discount deals which kept the prices reasonable. I'ts nice that thay are investing in infrastructure, but i always though they had a pretty good setup for a small/medium sized area. I think it was the last two particularly bad winters which lead to prior management/ownership's demise - that and the .5 million in loans which needed servicing.

Anyway, i'm looking forward to skiing there again; on a midweek carload special day, after an 2' powder dump.... hey it's happened before!

[Jolly J]

Bumped into a guy from Ragged this week at the Snow Summit. He seemed pretty stoked.

[JBHeadParrot]

Quote - Fries inherits a resort that has had sparse investment over the past several years. "We will spend a substantial amount of money this summer just on deferred maintenance and infrastructure issues. While we will make more significant changes over the next few years, my primary focus right now is to provide a much improved experience for our guests this winter," Fries reported.

The line that goes... "We will spend a substantial amount of money this summer just on deferred maintenance and infrastructure issues... tells me they will not have a lot of discount deals this year! The ticket price will go up!!!
It's good for Ragged Mountain not to go the way of Mt. Whittier! :skismile:
IMHO

[RR]

....
The line that goes... "We will spend a substantial amount of money this summer just on deferred maintenance and infrastructure issues... tells me they will not have a lot of discount deals this year! The ticket price will go up!!!
It's good for Ragged Mountain not to go the way of Mt. Whittier! :skismile:
IMHOThey may deferr permenant increases until next year, taking the losses as part of the 5Yr Plan....we shall see.

Whittier is in a drier location, but to see Ragged go that way would truly svck!

[Sledhaulingmedic]

I'm glad Ragged is going to stay around. It has a lot of character and potential. Hopefully, there is some good funding to back up all that management experience.

[surfsnowywaves]

Somebody mentioned Tenney...

*drool*

[Luddite]

I'm psyched to see Ragged make it. Close and yes lots of secrets. Last 6 times I've been there was racing mountain bikes, and as the trees blurred by I saw some very interesting stuff. Nice and close by too....

[Seeker]

How long ago? They're making advances in the snow quality! What with new groomers and snow making eq..... We'll see good changes a comin'!

I'd bet it was 7 to 8 years ago--and they had actually done a fine job with what they had. It had been a lousy winter--death cumbs beats the pants off death cookies any day. :D I'm happy to hear the news!

[Rider.Steve]

I was only there once a couple of years ago, and it had the scent of secrets for sure. Glad the new owner is going to give it a go.

[PWDR8S]

I was only there once a couple of years ago, and it had the scent of secrets for sure. Glad the new owner is going to give it a go.

Just gimme a shout if you're thinking of venturing this way... I'm just down the road a little.