GREEK PEAK---SOLD---to YOU!!!!

Eight years ago I saw Greek as a diamond in the rough and I think most here would agree, that its a great little mountain with varied terrain and great potential. Fast forward to their present predicament and YOU are the new Owner and are putting together your master plan for the start of next season... where would you start? what woud you make it, what would be your vision?

snow-snow-snow-snow-snow-snow!!! I know some people will scream about the lifts but, imo, snowmaking would be my #1 priority. Could you imagine tha hill with the snowmaking capabilities of Hunter???? People will deal with the current lift structer if the snow and grooming are primo. WOW, what a gem that would be. I'd then work on getting Atlas and Electra back on the map, those trails have been neglected for years. A little tree trimming and brush removal would whip 'em right back into shape. Just by doing that would show skiers/riders that the hill actually means something, that's something we've been missing for the past 5ish years or so.

From there I'd like to see the bar moved back to where it used to be, downstairs in the Taverna.  More room to promote music, fun, special events, etc etc. Make the dang lunch packers walk up stairs

I'd like to see them get SOMETHING going with mtn biking too....As you know, they've been missing the boat on this for years, which totally blows my mind. There are enough locals around here that would volunteer help in a second if asked.

I would love to see some more glade trails..seems like that would be a nice improvement that wouldn't cost a lot to do. Was the closing of Electra GP's decision or was it because of National Grids towers running down the middle of the trail?

pro2860 wrote

  Was the closing of Electra GP's decision or was it because of National Grids towers running down the middle of the trail?

I always thought it was because of National Grid.....

The ambassador (aka Doc ) told me it was because GP didn't want to go thru the expense of padding the towers. I'm sure he's right.

I would get my finances in order before doing much of anything.  In particular, they need to hire a GM who can handle the Lodge, as the costs of running the place off season are high.  The Lodge, including the water park and adventure center are rather labor intense.  For now, minor maintenance needs to occur-- replace falling lights, paint the lifts, straighten telephone poles, replace all signage, etc.  Once they make it through a season, they can look at snowmaking, which needs to be their priority.  Lifts, golf courses, and new trails can occur down the road.  It's tough to forecast, as the Kryger's were not forthcoming with financial information.  I never thought the place could sustain much more than $20M in debt, yet alone the $50M they once carried.  With only $7.5M or so in debt, some profits should be possible.

Quote"snow-snow-snow-snow-snow-snow!!! I know some people will scream about the lifts but, imo, snowmaking would be my #1 priority. Could you imagine tha hill with the snowmaking capabilities of Hunter????"Quote

Where oh Where in the world, would the additional water come from??? Now they use the stream at the bottom of the hill and the small pond, located 1/2 way up the hill. Is there some place where 1 or 2 new large ponds could be built?

Big D wrote

Quote"snow-snow-snow-snow-snow-snow!!! I know some people will scream about the lifts but, imo, snowmaking would be my #1 priority. Could you imagine tha hill with the snowmaking capabilities of Hunter????"Quote

Where oh Where in the world, would the additional water come from??? Now they use the stream at the bottom of the hill and the small pond, located 1/2 way up the hill. Is there some place where 1 or 2 new large ponds could be built?

There are 3 wells located in the parking lot (near ski patrol bridge) that would provide all the water needed.

Are they not drawing water from Hope Lake, as well?

If it was my mountain I would upgrade snow making. I would also host a few glade clearing days, as that would be the easiest and cheapest way to add to the trail count. I would also try to set up a bus line from suny broome and a few other local schools. I would also plant pine trees along the trails to help preserve snow and block wind(works great at elk).  After all that then I would address the lifts. 1a has got to go a quad of triple there. Then move lift 1 to replace lift 2. I think that alone would take ten years so ill stop.

I've heard a number of people mention adding glades, including the new owners.  Do we really thing GP receives enough natural snow to warrant additional gladed terrain?

Rj1972 wrote

Are they not drawing water from Hope Lake, as well?

Not that I'm aware of.

Rj1972 wrote

I've heard a number of people mention adding glades, including the new owners.  Do we really thing GP receives enough natural snow to warrant additional gladed terrain?

Not anymore we don't, but we sure used to. Hopefully it swings back in our favor. That said, when there is good snow any any all glades are welcome in my book.

High speed quad would be nice

I think Greek gets plenty of snow for some new glades.  I think some narrow glades like the woods on the sides of illiad would be great as a lot of snowmaking blows into these woods. Belleayre has some glades like this and they always open early and close late. This season I was skiing glades at Greek from mid Feb- closeing.

arlaquinn wrote

High speed quad would be nice

I'm going to respectfully dissagree. I can't see the need for high speed anything at GP. It's only 900 vert so why crowd the hill??? We certainly could use a couple new lifts, but imo, the money needed to purchase high speed could be better spent upgrading snow making.

where's the snow wrote

I think Greek gets plenty of snow for some new glades.  I think some narrow glades like the woods on the sides of illiad would be great as a lot of snowmaking blows into these woods. Belleayre has some glades like this and they always open early and close late. This season I was skiing glades at Greek from mid Feb- closeing.

Woods on the side of illiad???? it's only 30 feet wide in there, that aint tree skiing.

Snowmaking definitely needs to be their number one priority.  It shouldn't take a week or so to open a trail.  That era is long behind us.  With that said, a new snowmaking system doesn't garner the wow factor that a shiny new lift would. Yes, we can rationalize that a modern snowmaking system will open terrain earlier and faster, but the average skier wants more lifts, trails, and lodges (all of which Greek desperately needs).  

I'll go back to what I said a number of months ago.  The new owners basically purchased a beautiful hotel in the middle of nowhere, with a scrap heap across the road.  Don't get me wrong--I love the place. It just requires capital in nearly every aspect of the facility.  I still have to think that something is going on with the Kryger's behind the scenes. I'm flabbergasted that they would let the place go for only $7.5M.  They had a couple of banks willing to loan them half of their outstanding debt a year ago.

Rj1972 wrote

..a new snowmaking system doesn't garner the wow factor that a shiny new lift would...

I guess it depends on who you talk to? I'll take the guns...  

We're down to snowgun porn.  Stick a fork in it boyz - it's over.