Ski Southeast Messageboard

Reuters) - Ski resort operator Intrawest Corp. (ITW.TO: Quote), which operates the downhill skiing site to be used at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, is exploring the idea of building resorts in China, the company said on Monday.



"We are looking in many parts of the world and China is one of our focuses at the moment," Tim McNulty, director of investor relations for Intrawest told Reuters from Vancouver. "We are currently surveying the landscape in China to identify any opportunities."



Skiing is becoming a popular sport among China's growing middle class, who take to the small slopes around the capital of Beijing all winter long. That popularity is expected to grow if China wins skiing medals at the Turin Olympics.



Intrawest holds an interest in 10 mountain ski resorts, including Whistler in British Columbia, where the alpine ski events of the Vancouver Olympics will be held.



The company said last week it returned to profit in its second quarter, partly because the sale of its majority stake in the Mammoth Mountain resort in California brought a net gain of $60 million.



Intrawest reported a net profit of $69.3 million, or $1.41 per share, in the quarter through December, compared with a net loss of $7.1 million, or 15 cents a share, in the year-earlier quarter.

There could be some awesome skiing in those mountains.

this was taken from skimag.com.... So now we know where the Widowmaker lift is heading!



Yabuli is China's largest ski area and growing. Since opening in 1994, it has received approximately US$210 million for improvements from both the Chinese government and local investors. This sizable sum has enabled Yabuli to offer downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, tobogganing (Yabuli has the longest Toboggan Run in the World) and various other winter activities. Currently the ski area has three double chairlifts with a capacity of 1,500 skiers per hour. There are 11 trails with a total vertical drop of 1,968 feet. The main lift at Sanguokui Mountain--which at 4,511 feet is the highest peak--offers 1,870 feet of vertical at a gradient of 18 degrees. The beginner area consists of a main lift and several smaller lifts that access green and blue runs where most of the beginner and intermediate lessons are taught. Plans for the future include adding more trails and lifts and expanding the vertical drop from its current 1,968 feet to 2,952 feet.



At the base of the hill, is a fairly substantial mountain village. It is anchored by the three-star Windmill Village and Tinyihu hotels, which combined offer more than 300 rooms. A Youth Apartment Block, also located in the village, holds an additional 300 beds and attracts younger visitors with its lively atmosphere. Finally, there are two large suites that are mostly used to accommodate Chinese businessmen and their families and are often reserved through the height of the ski season.



Also impressive, especially considering the remote nature of the enterprise, is Yabuli's rental facility, which offers more than 700 pairs of skis and boots from Switzerland and other Western countries. Visitors can rent everything they need--from skis and suits to hats and gloves--for just $30, including a full-day lift ticket (prices are 30 percent less if you bring your own equipment). Yabuli also has a fully operational ski school consisting of 60 instructors, some of whom speak English. And lessons cost only $40 for a full day of one-on-one instruction!

Why can't we get deals like that?

SkiCop wrote:
Why can't we get deals like that?



Yeah no kidding!? That is like 70's day at Beech permanently.