What up Sierra bretheren? Check out this concept we are throwing together.
http://www.shamesmtncoop.com/

Mike, can you make this a sticky? Not that kind you sick minds!

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I say skins and an occassional lift ticket dude. But I'm here and you're there. I'd like to learn how it's different, I know nothing about it.

How bad are ski areas? And how different could your own be?

Sounds like a wash in the end. Make your own co-op ski area with a few hundred people, and you get less tracks, happy vibe, and your own food. Sounds a lot like backcountry skiing, only more work; and half the tracks are still in front of you.

I swear I'm not anti ski area. Just saying stuff....

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Mike Schwartz
www.thebackcountry.net
mike@thebackcountry.net

Allow me to elaborate young grasshopper.

First of all Shames Mtn, receives 400 inches per year (50% more than Whistler) but has roughly the same amount of sunny days per month. The terrain from the lift goes in every direction. The locals so far we have talked to are passionate to save this place. The city of Terrace, 30 minutes away is a cool little zone of 20K with 7 flights a day to Vacouver (2 hours). The terrain are mostly 2-3K shots with extremely easy access.

On the bizness model side, it is for sale for 1.3 million. From our time across the world, we have learned the market is truly global and at $500/ share, we feel confident we can raise more than enuff capital. Shareholders will get discounts on lift tickets and possibly air and lodging.
The first 3 years any and all profits will be reinvested into the area. No one should buy a share to get rich over night, but invest in something tangible they believe in. Try this one on for size. "Hey Steph, I have to go to Shames, ski deep powder and check on our investment".

On the operational side, the Coop will be run by skiers for skier. No more money hold, waiting in special tickets to get your little Tuesday discount, etc. The terrain is huge and a few lifts could be make it awesome, like a mini Alps zone. (kind of like that time in Europe when you left us stranded in Switz and drove back to France)

So as a skier that paid to ski at Alec and Nancy's joint for 18 years, followed by 5 years at an even worse level of ski area mgmt in Argentina, I was stoked to find this jewell in the rough and say let's buy it.

It makes more sense to go ski at our co-op ski resort. I can't imagine you go over to Alpenglow (except to check out yummy mommy) and buy their gear.

Shames Co-Op, this ain't a Ponzi scheme!

And at $500 a share, how much do you spend on donuts a year?

Let me know if you have further questions.

PS All this is slightly hypothetical, but you get the jest!

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I'm with you that Canada BC is an amazing place. I'm down to buy a skier's cabin out there with ya. Can we change the thing we're buyin?

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Mike Schwartz
www.thebackcountry.net
mike@thebackcountry.net

Señor S,

We can do what ever we want as long as it is some for the highest good of the area and local community.

I would be honored if you went over to http://shamesmtncoop.com/ and signed yourself up and got involved. Perhaps even join a committee. I think you will be a great asset to your new ski resort.

Adios, SoulSkier

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I am going to post exclusively here for my peeps. In reality, I am calling all you Sierra peeps out.

Jackson crew represents in AK, Colorado kooks think they own the Andes, and Cali heads need a getaway place to call home, ski powder and check on their investment.

With that said, here is a pretty good write up on the resort we will be buying.
http://www.firsttracksonline.com/News/2 ... -for-Sale/

Hey Mike, can you stick it (this thread)?

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Monday update. We have a website up now.

www.ShamesMtnCoop.com

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This will serve as the friendly Tahoe tribe reminder that the Co-op is evolving. The first steering committee meeting occurred last week. The minutes can be downloaded from the message board at http://smcmb.com/

Also, I will be in Tahoe Halloween week and will be having a general meeting for anyone interested in learning more about the project.

I'll post more info as we get closer.

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Little interview with CBC radio from Friday morning.

http://livinginpatagonia.com/wp-content ... 3-2009.mp3

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