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brad
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Location: Denver, CO
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 Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:46 am Post subject: Big Horn, WY to Reopen |
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http://www.buffalobulletin.com/articles/2009/10/12/news/local_news/doc4ad3693bda4c1758555634.txt
| Quote: | New ski resort owners climb slippery slope
Wayne Jones, the new owner of the Bighorn Mountain Ski Resort, points out problems with the 1977 Cummings generator that will need to be replaced before the ski resort can open.
BY JUSTIN GERARD
Published:
Monday, October 12, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
For local downhill skiers and snowboarders, early season snow is greeted with the joy and anticipation of hitting the slopes.
That sense of anticipation is only heightened with news that Holli and Wayne Jones, new owners of the Big Horn Mountain Resorts, plan to open the Big Horn Ski Resort after it was shuttered last season.
Last week, Wayne Jones said that he plans to open the resort on December 1, but depending on the snowfall it may be earlier or later.
The Joneses have been spending long hours working out the logistics and finances to get the resort running by the time the snow flies. Jones said he is fixing problems as he finds them, and there are going to be a lot of changes from the way things were operated in the past.
“Before we acquired the resort, a lot of things around the ski resort operated at a sub-par level,” Jones said. “When we get the resort operating, we are going to do things right, but it will take more work and cost more. We're doing our best, but the resort needs a lot of TLC, we’re in the process of getting things fixed up.”
Jones anticipates it will cost around $200,000 to get the resort open, with the majority of the money going to getting the lifts repaired, updated, and operable.
“Our biggest expense will be a new diesel generator to run the lifts,” he said.
He is very optimistic about the new resort and is looking to improve the conditions of the resort for the community.
“Something we will be doing differently than the previous owners is we will be operating with all local help,” Jones said.
Currently Jones has half a dozen employees and will be hiring more as the season gets closer, all of whom are from the surrounding areas.
Jones is looking to support the community with the hope that the community will in turn support the ski resort.
“There is no sense in gouging people, but I ask the public to understand that to manage this resort correctly, with local help and safe equipment, it will cost a lot to operate,” Jones said.
Jones is also looking to improve the kitchen in the lodge.
“We will provide excellent food that will be reasonably priced. We will have quick, hot food and we will reduce lines by preparing for the rush ahead of time; that will be a difference compared to the previous owners.” Jones said.
Jones has not sold any season passes yet because he is still working with the Forest Service to finalize the permit to operate under their lease.
“I don’t think it is right to sell tickets and passes before we get the OK from the Forest Service, I should be selling them now, but I am morally struggling with that,” Jones said.
Jones is hoping for good snow and consequently good times to be had if everything goes as planned.
“We want to support and be apart of the community and we want to make this a fun place to be, so look forward to live music and other events in the future,” Jones said. |
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brad
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Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1843
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_a47aa2f3-1ef4-5f50-a5be-11c887a53d14.html
| Quote: | TEN SLEEP -- New owners of the Big Horn Mountain Ski Resort near here hope to open the resort next month, but they're waiting for U.S. Forest Service approval.
Wayne and Holli Jones, who bought the resort this summer, have met with the Forest Service and are hoping for a permit by Dec. 10 at the latest, Holli Jones said.
Six full-time employees are working to renovate the ski resort and nearby Deer Haven lodge. The work includes adding new generators, water pipes, gas pumps, hot water heaters, counters and carpet for the buildings, Jones said.
She said excitement is building about the prospect of opening the resort this season.
"We're just trying to redo everything in there. In the meantime we're getting so much pressure from the public to get them open," she said. "It's been a challenge."
The couple does not plan to open Meadowlark Lake, a second lodge at the resort, this year.
The Forest Service shut down Meadowlark and Deer Haven last year, when they were under a different owner, because of safety violations.
Summit Lift Company of Canada recently inspected the ski lift at Big Horn Mountain, and everything looked OK, Jones said. The company will soon return to inspect the tow rope, she said.
The ski area will offer new and used equipment for rent. There will also be a bar and restaurant. The Joneses got a liquor license from the Washakie County Commissioners early last week.
"We put our heart and soul in it. We want it to work," Jones said. "We're plugging away every day."
The Joneses also own South Fork Mountain Lodge and Outfitters near Buffalo. |
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brad
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Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1843
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:57 am Post subject: |
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http://www.buffalobulletin.com/articles/2010/01/06/news/local_news/doc4b44c3305641d225755023.txt
| Quote: | Skiing returns to the Big Horn Mountains
Meadowlark Ski Lodge reopens under new management
By Jen Hicks
Published:
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 11:08 AM CST
For local ski and snowboard enthusiasts who have found themselves forced to drive three-plus hours to make a few turns, Friday, Jan. 1 signaled a new dawn.
That morning, the sun shone bright and warmed the air into the mid-20s, there was just a hint of a breeze and most significantly, downhill skiing returned to the Big Horn Mountains with the reopening of the Meadowlark Ski Lodge.
“People actually thanked us for opening up and were so glad that we did it,” said lodge manager Mary Hupy. “We had a young man who came up with his children and he came up all three days; he was so happy.”
When the lifts at Meadowlark Ski Lodge roared to life on Friday, it marked the first time that the resort was open for public skiing since the winter 2008 season when the U.S. Forest Service shut down the operation due to health and safety violations by former owner Jim McCotter.
The excitement surrounding the reopening was palpable on Friday, both on the mountain and in the lodge, as several locals drove up just out of curiosity to check out the improvements they’d been hearing about. Other families came up solely to sled.
According to Lucas Todd of the Sports Lure, the reopening was one of the most anticipated and exciting events for local ski enthusiasts.
“I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s a real asset to our community and our region to give people another outlet for winter recreation. There’s just a lot of positive buzz about it,” Todd said.
Hupy said crews worked overtime both inside the lodge and on the mountain to prepare for the opening after owners Holli and Wayne Jones purchased the ski resort in July 2009.
“We opened as quickly as we possibly could. The minute we found out we could open, we opened,” Hupy said.
Despite the surprise opening, Hupy said that about 400 people purchased lift tickets over the course of the three-day opening weekend; others took advantage of snowmobile rentals available at the lodge.
Hupy said that those who grew up skiing in the Big Horn Mountains will appreciate the return to the former name and she hopes that the historic name will recall fond memories of a family-owned ski resort that is well-run and offers amenities that families expect.
“We used the original name and logo. Part of the reason is that we worked very hard, and we want people to know that we made sure that the lodge has made a change to very good equipment, very good food and is very clean.”
Todd said that while the lodge is in need of more snow, “they did a great job with the amount of snow they have.”
Hupy said that crews will continue to make snow as needed.
“Of course we’re always hoping for more snow, so everyone should be thinking snow.”
Meadowlark Ski Lodge is open Friday through Sunday for the remainder of the season, with lifts running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the latest snow report, call 267-2609 during the week or the ski area at 366-2429. Schools or other organizations may also call to inquire about having the area opened during the week for groups. |
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stowe1961
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Joined: 07 Dec 2008
Posts: 66
Location: Broomfield, CO
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