Hickory may be back soon

[Harvey]

The Hudson River is about 1000 feet from the entrance to Hickory and there have always been rumors about pulling water from the Hudson. If that was approved, they might have a chance to be in business as a 1200 foot vertical ski area.

There was a NYS permit to do just that. And an easement for the pipe, as there is only one landowner between HSC and the river.

But then there is this:

BVP4 has run the numbers.

The permit is (was) a great step, but it doesn't change the economic reality. The short summary is that IF:

Hickory opened EVERY WEEKEND for the entire winter and holidays (odds of that?) and drew good crowds, the lifts, even with one butt on every disc, don't have the capacity to break even. It was a really cool plan and fun to discuss.

All of those plans are interesting but I think the skiing, from the top... isn't likely.

 

[Ripitz]

It was a really cool plan and fun to discuss.

Was there a discussion about purchasing the camp that is an adjoining neighbor? If there was, can that be shared?

 

[sig]

To clarify I meant for skiing, from the top. Lessons off the Tbar and a stop for snowmobiles could work.

BVP4 has run the numbers and shared them with me. His plan was elaborate and expensive, and he decide it just didn't make any sense. You don't get to where he is in life by taking big changes with a lot of money.

Would like to see the ability to skin to the top. Ideally with poma 1 operational. but probably not realistic. running the tbar for lessons, bar and food for snowmobilers, tubing park. who knows what would work.

 

[Benny Profane]

Yeah, skin only could satisfy a decent market.

 

[Harvey]

How much would you pay for a pass?

As the actor once said "what is my motivation here?" Once you start letting people on property you need insurance.

Bill once told me on a year when they open, even for a day, they lose 50k more than they do in a year when they don't open.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Yeah, skin only could satisfy a decent market.

Mont Alta in the Laurentians has been doing this for a number of years, although I believe it gets twice the snow of Hickory. If I remember correctly, they sell 750 season passes for $65 and members can invite guests for $15 a day.

 

[Benny Profane]

Hickory is much closer to population centers, conveniently off a major highway, so, there's that. Also could work in tandem with Gore somehow.

Maybe Oscars could get in on the action and sell at the base.

 

[x10003q]

Mont Alta in the Laurentians has been doing this for a number of years, although I believe it gets twice the snow of Hickory. If I remember correctly, they sell 750 season passes for $65 and members can invite guests for $15 a day.

Not exactly a "get rich quick" scheme.

 

[Ripitz]

Once you start letting people on property you need insurance.

Greylock gets around this because it’s a private club. Members and guests only.

 

[Harvey]

I think Mont Alta gets way more than 2x the snow of Hickory. And far less rain. And I think Mont Alta is out of business.