rollcall...snowboarding...you know who you are.
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From: on the way to lake tahoe to shread! turbo beast
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I'm in Tahoe now was planning on snowboarding but I'm now stuck in my hotel room with this damn flu!!
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For all you bear heads they just started a unofficial bear valley page, and they are talking about the community buying BV as a co-op and running the mountain. This sounds like a great oppurtunity for us as enthusiasts to actually be a part of making a mountain better.
Check it out UnofficialBearValley » unbearvalley.com
Check it out UnofficialBearValley » unbearvalley.com
There was talk of Bob Conrad investing but he's an idiot nobody wants to partner up with. Even my family can't be playing around with investments these days and they live up there. Nobody has the same money, even compared to just 14 years ago. The people who bought down the hill are even trying to bail out. Both Calaveras and Alpine are either broke or on the verge.
When foreign investors shun away and locals try to do it, well, there's your sign..sucks b/c we have friends up there. People are bailing out of membership @ GreenHorn Creek in Altaville/AngelsCamp, there's your coffin-nail.
In case anyone wants to see what SR20steve's referring to here's Olly's article:
Originally Posted by Oliver K on Dec 30, 2013
Will the Community Rally and Buy Bear Valley?
I will spare everyone the eye sore about reading about snow conditions the last two days, they were about the same as Saturday…
I think the bigger news was the Bear Valley Resort Community Ownership Town Hall Meeting that took place yesterday. A very well attended event that outlined some general ideas about the community buying and thus taking over Bear Valley Mountain and the Village. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm in this idea and I for one very much enjoyed the presentation. I’ll try to lay out some important points here:
The leading point was that outdoor sports on the rise in popularity in California, Bear Valley is in a place to take advantage of this. This includes back country skiing, cross country skiing, etc… Bear Valley has it all.
The idea: Community ownership of Bear Valley. For sale now: Bear Valley Mountain, the Village, real estate, and rights to build Village Lift. Options:
A few people buy the mountain (ownership similar to Sugar Bowl)
Pros:
Most rapid way to purchase current assets (the mountain, village, real estate, and lift rights)
A private company can contract with developers to develop real estate and fund future improvements (such as the Village Lift)
Cons:
The major decisions may be made by a few people whose needs may not be compatible with the community at large
Coop ownership (ownership similar to Bridger Bowl and Mad River Glen)
Pros:
Ownership of all assets by the community who with then accrue the greatest benefits
The mountain will be owned by those that love to ski
Village Lift will get done (!!)
All governance and operations will be done by those elected by the community
Cons:
Takes time to raise money and gain capital
Public financing will take become complicated through the politics it requires
Real Estate development still required
Best of both worlds: Lead community-oriented investor or investment group
Ski Corp or non-profit purchase mountain
Public financing pursued to build Village Lift
Community-oriented development partners made up of skiers, property owners, and community members
These are the ideas that were laid out in the meeting. It seems that right now the community has a very unique opportunity to take the mountain and finally build the Village Lift and build up the Village in general.
Of course the community buying the mountain comes with a price. It is estimated that Bear Valley would cost between six and eight million plus an additional six and a half to seven million to build the new Village Lift. However it was noted this number was attainable by paying over 25 years through a low interest bond. Once the mountain was purchased there would be unknown dues. However looking at Mad River Glen which is community owned, it costs $2200 to join the coop and the yearly dues are $200 (to give an example). Supposedly it is very rare for people to bail out of the coop once they are in.
Personally I think this is an amazing opportunity; Bear Valley has so much to offer and I feel this has not been fully taken advantage of. I was also very impressed with the presentation and organization of the meeting last night and have full faith that this plan may come to fruition.
If you are looking to get involved a good place to start would be at the facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1399658203606229/
Good luck to everyone involved!
Last edited by TheFozz; Jan 12, 2014 at 12:43 PM.
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Back on topic...
Is it time we sacrifice a chicken yet? Midnight BBQ? This weather brings the suck. So much lack of snow up there right now. :/
Is it time we sacrifice a chicken yet? Midnight BBQ? This weather brings the suck. So much lack of snow up there right now. :/
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Hit Kirkwood with subi4justin today, was allot of fun with the fresh snow..far from a powder day but the trails got a nice new life to them.
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Awesome day out on the slopes! People keep saying there is no snow but the resorts have been doing a great job keeping the snow around to at least make some turns. Kirkwoods park today was on point. We do need ALOT more snow, but something is better than nothing. Shred on guys, ill be going somewhere this weekend if someone wants to ride
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Made a drunk purchase. Got a 2009 Burton Custom X with the EST channels for the bindings. Kinda not really excited.... Anyone have experience with the rest system? I know learning to really ride on the custom isn't going to be the greatest.
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The Custom X is a good board. Stiff, which isn't a bad thing. It will be a board you could grow with. The only problem with the channel is you are basically stuck with burton bindings, again not a serious problem. The good thing with that system is that you will feel closer to the board I believe. No first hand experience, but some people love it. I'd say, give it a shot for the rest of the season, if it doesn't feel right or didn't satisfy, sell it and look for something else.
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Have you never ridden a snowboard? The Custom X is suppose to be a real stiff board. Cant give you any feed back on the EST system as I have never tried it. I ventured away from Burton
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The Custom X is a good board. Stiff, which isn't a bad thing. It will be a board you could grow with. The only problem with the channel is you are basically stuck with burton bindings, again not a serious problem. The good thing with that system is that you will feel closer to the board I believe. No first hand experience, but some people love it. I'd say, give it a shot for the rest of the season, if it doesn't feel right or didn't satisfy, sell it and look for something else.
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Picked it up pretty quick a few weeks ago. But I want to start going on the weekends I'm off at China peak. I can probably let it go for what I got it for or maybe lose a few, its whatever. Just gotta find bidings and boots now.