Les Otten, the former CEO of American Skiing Company, along with an experienced development team, recently announced plans to develop The Balsams in Northern New Hampshire. The Balsams, a historic 150-year-old hotel and ski resort in a remote region, was closed in 2010 after a sales deal fell through. Under Otten's plan, the small ski resort (Which originally opened in 1996 with 1,000 vertical feet of skiing) would be transformed to create New England's largest resort with 22 lifts accessing 2,200 skiable acres of alpine terrain—twice the skiable terrain of the closest Eastern competitor.
All the details:
· Phase 1 of the proposed expansion would include 1 gondola, four chairlifts, and 25 miles of ski trails.
· The proposed high-capacity gondola would access the 3,480 foot summit of Dixville Peak.
· Existing buildings would undergo renovations including the 100-year old Hampshire House.
· New builds would include a 400-room hotel, conference center, and spa with a focus on family.
· Final expansion plans would result in 2,200 acres of skiing across 3,800 acres of pristine forest, including a 500 acre Balsam Glade in Hodge Valley.
· The location includes the largest snowmaking water source in the East, assuring quality snow.
The deal includes a state-backed $28 million bond to redevelop the hotel. With the bond proposal recently sent to study, Otten reportedly plans to begin construction in June 2015.
· The Balsams [Official Site]
· Is New England's Largest Ski Resort on the Way? [Boston.com]
· Dixville Peak at Balsams Wilderness Ski Area [New England Ski History]
· Intrawest Buys Remaining Interest in Blue Mtn. for $52 Million [Curbed Ski]
·Which Ski Resort Has The Most Skiing in North America? [Curbed Ski]
· Tiny Vermont Cabin is Small on Space, Big on Design [Curbed Ski]