The story we broke nearly ten months ago came to fruition yesterday when Summit Group announced they had taken over management of Powder Mountain.
The announcement marks the end of the black cloud of oppression that has loomed over the mountain since 2006, when the resort was sold by the Cobabe family, who founded and developed the resort, to Western America Holdings.
Many remember the Powderville Saga, when Western America attempted to create a company town by forcing unwilling residents into their town so the resort owners could create their own zoning rather than use the existing, more restrictive zoning. Their apparent goal was to hold the residents hostage in exchange for extensive zone changes. After years of negotiations, a substantial rezone was allowed and the Powderville Town petition was withdrawn on November 13, 2012.
At last, Powder Mountain resort granted substantial rezone - Standard Examiner
From the Summit web site,
Located in the town of Eden, Utah, Powder Mountain is home to the largest skiable mountain in the United States with more than 10,000 acres of terrain. The resort will remain open to the public and Summit plans to preserve the character of the mountain.We like Bisnow's statement and will remain cautiously optimistic.
“Instead of overpowering nature, we’re looking at how we can preserve an environment of open spaces, uncompromising vistas, and year-round adventure. Our goal is to create a place that has a positive impact not just on the residents of Summit Eden and the Ogden Valley, but the state of Utah, and the world,” said Elliot Bisnow.
Our friends at the Weber County Forum weighed in yesterday.
As an added bonus, we will include some links to videos and recent articles from other sources.
Summit promotional video
The Vision video
Summit To Buy Powder Mountain To Create Entrepreneur Community -- Forbes
Tour The $40 Million Mountain 4 Entrepreneurs Just Bought So They Could Have A Permanent Party Location -- Business Insider
New owners’ updates to keep Powder Mountain the same - Salt Lake Tribune
Incoming Powder Mountain owners to enhance resort - Standard Examiner"We think we can do something great here," said Summit’s 27-year-old founder and CEO, Elliott Bisnow, noting the new owners have jettisoned previous plans to transform Powder Mountain with close to 4,000 dwelling units."Our footprint will be more modest," he added — 500 homes in a horseshoe around a village on the resort’s east side, not visible from Powder Mountain’s main facilities."I fell in love with every single thing you heard about the character of Powder Mountain and what it stood for. It was the last undeveloped resort," Bisnow said of his first trip to the upper Ogden Valley ski area in July 2011. "I thought, ‘What if we could take this resort and preserve what it is?’ "Bisnow took his idea to the Summit team, who bought into the concept."We’re not trying to shake things up but enhance what’s here," said Thayer Walker, a Summit partner. "If we do things in a smart, incremental, sustainable fashion, we can preserve Powder Mountain’s character for years."That’s because Summit’s mission is different than most companies, said co-founder Jeff Rosenthal. "We’re looking for a return on community rather than a return on investment."
What say ye Ogden Valle residents and friends about latest developments in the Powderville saga?
Awesome write-up. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHopeful!
ReplyDeleteIf these guys are serious about preserving the mountain and the Valley, they will consider agreeing with the county to a permanent reversion in the number of dwelling units from the 2800 our genius, gutless commissioners handed their predecessors (the flippers) to the 1280 they were really entitled to, or else when they are done playing here and decide to move on, some slimy developer will come in and build it out to 2800 or whatever number he can con the then-genius commissioners into handing him by threatening another lawsuit. As it is, they can build the 500 homes they plan, then use the remaining 2300 units to build 6900 hotel rooms up there. Do the math.
ReplyDeleteHow 'bout it, gentlemen?
I am also guardedly optimistic.
ReplyDeleteFor me, a prime consideration is the auto traffic. If they stick to the 500 housing units, that along with the traffic generated by the new think tank and retail might be manageable. The seem to think that shuttle service will help as long as they can sell it. Personally, I hate shuttle service. I want my vehicle so I can swap out equipment and have access to incidentals. Perhaps they will consider building a lodge for season ticket holders where skis/boots can be stored. I had a similar set up back east and it was fantastic.
I do doubt the 3,000sf number for the think tank. My house is bigger than that and I can't imagine anything that small being considered. But, I also doubt that any structure would be detrimental to sight lines up there.