Make it a dozen! Alterra Mountain Co., the 11 month-old company formed by KSL Capital Partners, Aspen Skiing Company’s owner and others, is buying Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah. The Big Cottonwood Canyon destination will become the company’s second Utah property after Deer Valley, which Alterra acquired from the same ownership group last fall. “With its close relationship with Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort is a natural fit for Alterra Mountain Company, and a tremendous addition to our family of destinations,” said Rusty Gregory, Chief Executive Officer of Alterra Mountain Company in a press release. “We are especially excited to expand our reach within Utah and offer another ski and snowboard experience in a state known for its exceptional snow and mountain culture.”
Brighton owner Boyne Resorts attempted to buy Solitude back in 2014 but it was sold to Deer Valley months later. Prior to that, the DeSeelhorst family had operated the resort for more than three decades. Today, Solitude operates a fleet of eight Doppelmayr and CTEC lifts including four detachable quads. Just yesterday, the resort confirmed to me its intention to replace the Sunrise lift with another high-speed quad next summer.
“Joining the impressive group of Alterra Mountain Company destinations Solitude Mountain Resort places in a strong position to grow and enhance Solitude,” said Kim Mayhew, the mountain’s General Manager in a statement. “We are excited about the opportunities for our guests, our staff, and for our community in Big Cottonwood Canyon.” The transaction is expected to close by the end of the third quarter. Terms of the agreement and Ikon Pass access details were not disclosed. Assuming Solitude gets added to Alterra’s 2018-19 season passes upon closing, Ikon passes would include access to 408 lifts at 33 US and Canadian mountains. With Vail’s recent acquisitions and partnerships, the competing 2018-19 Epic Pass is up to 309 lifts at 24 mountains in North America.
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This should be beneficial for all parties involved. Part of me hopes it won’t be unlimited access, since additional people would hurt the Solitude vibe, but I also know that being able to offer an unlimited option in Utah would help them sell a lot more Ikon passes.
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I’m a bit surprised they are upgrading Sunrise first vs the soon to be 30 year old Eagle express. maybe that will come later in 2019 or 2020, or perhaps they have done some major overhaul/upgrades to Eagle recently to extend her life? Dont get me wrong, I don’t want to see the awesome Von Roll & CTEC hybrid go..
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Remember Sunrise runs all summer and winter. I agree though, Eagle’s days are numbered. I know many would also like to see Powderhorn II upgraded to a detachable. Now it could be reused elsewhere in the Alterra family of resorts.
On that topic, does anyone know the fate of Homestake at DV and High Meadow at Park City? Both are (hopefully) too new to be scrapped.
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DV has been saying on their twitter that Homestake has been sold, which is why the chairs aren’t being auctioned.
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For some reason I figured Eagle was the one that ran in the summer. Thanks for the info.
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I’m a bit behind the times right now- Does this buy up include Solitude and Brighton or just Solitude?
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Just Solitude. Brighton is owned and operated by Boyne Resorts. Solitude said on Facebook that SolBright products will continue to be offered.
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So then will the price go up for a season pass
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Does anyone have a copy of a mountain master plan for Solitude?
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why….why I like that solitude is a resort with little crowds the way there putting it is that it is going to be a busy ski resort and I’m pissed…this is unfair I’ve skied on link since I was 4 years old when I started to skied that was the first time I’ve ever skied was on link lift… I guess I haft to find another resort….I won’t be skiing there anymore hopefully I can still afford the season pass.
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Weird that they want to replace sunrise. It doesn’t feel like it covers enough terrain or is long enough to be a highspeed. Although I guess it’s the best way to Summit. Hopefully my Alterra employee pass is good at the ‘tude. That would be cool.
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Ikon now includes Solitude AND Brighton. So all of Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canton and Deer Valley are on one pass.
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