The numbers are no surprise. We didn’t need to use our trend graph to tell you that Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and KSL Capital have now spent over $427,000 in fighting the will of the voters in Olympic Valley. The spending has averaged $80,000 each month and there’s no sign it will stop. They’ve made it clear that they are going to do what it takes to get their way.
People are really starting to speak up about what is going on in the offices of Squaw Valley Ski Holdings. They have realized that we can’t trust any of the promises that have been made regarding Alpine Meadows or Squaw Valley. We’re not surprised that there have been three different guest columnists, all prominent local professionals, asking for a change in the way SVSH leaders work with the community. Here’s the links:
• Dr. Robb Gaffney “Do We Want Squaw Valley Ski Holdings Leading Us?”, Tahoe Daily Tribune 10/15/14
• Dr. Jon Shanser “Inconvenient Truths Or Convenient Fiction?”, Tahoe Daily Tribune 10/11/14
• Jennifer Gurecki “Squaw Valley – A New Direction For Leadership”, Tahoe Daily Tribune 10/3/14
We have also published two articles over the last month, including the wildly popular “So What Does A Good Ski CEO Look Like?” which highlights the success of John Kircher, owner and GM of Crystal Mountain. Yes, we are ready for a change too.
They tell us that they are listening. They’ll be sure point out that they have cut the proposed Squaw development in half. They won’t tell us that the latest proposal is what they wanted all along.
They have garnered support by supporting prominent local non-profits and small businesses. They have lured us with suggestions of new lifts at Red Dog, Granite Chief, Hot Wheels and Siberia. They encouraged us to dream about a connection between Squaw and Alpine Meadows. We were promised that each mountain would retain a separate identity. Those promises seem to mean nothing.
The more money they spend to “Save Olympic Valley”, the more they are harming themselves. The public is not dumb. When will the leaders at Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and KSL Capital realize that their current trajectory is negatively affecting their assets as well as the surrounding communities of Alpine Meadows, Squaw Valley, and the greater North Lake Tahoe region? We can think of 427,000 good reasons to work with the community, not disrupt it.
Here’s the link to this month’s SOV financial filing…all funded by Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and KSL Capital.
There are times in every company’s existence when they have to rethink a strategy.
Does KSL really think that their actions are both acceptable and productive?
i may be misunderstanding this but i’m pretty sure they have said many times that the town can’t be financially viable. If there is a requirement that the new town must have an independent study to show financial viability or it won’t even be allowed to come to a vote, then wouldn’t a new town be impossible by KSL’s own analysis? Yet they still seem to need to spend half a million dollars trying to smear something they say is not possible??? They must not trust even themselves.
Most excellent thinking.
It’s the American way – outside money bulldozing the local community with cash and bulldozers. Makes me sick and angry.
Andy Wirth will be gone in less then 2 years.
Andy is only a mouthpiece. Decisions are made in a boardroom out of state. Until KSL changes their tactics and behavior, replacing the general doesn’t change anything
You are correct. I’m just saying wait till the new whippersnapper shows up. Andy is already toast.
Note that in the glossy SVSH magazine sent out to 1000’s has a full page advertising SOV…the full story is not there…sb
Did you notice that the SVSH magazine’s opening message started with using the name Olympic Valley and how AW has responsibility for stewardship of the valley? Hmmm I corporations assuming that responsibility instead of the community along with its elected officials scares me.
Big difference between responsibility to and responsibility for. The former is about service and the latter is about paternalistic control.
I am a 35 year Alpine veteran. I could ski anywhere in Tahoe, but Alpine has always had clear advantages: great hill, lots of hiking, cool attitude, lots of locals
Long Live ALPINE MEADOWS!!
The Ski Resort has been transparent explaining their side of the story and about what they spent and who donated the money. Can anyone say the same about the incorporation people?
The Incorporate Olympic Valley PAC has publicly reported that it has spent $45K, all coming from donations of only 5 people (hardly a huge grass roots movement). On the other hand, the IOV Foundation (a secret 501[c] [3] organization) has spent at least $100K and maybe has much as SVSH on “various aspects of the LAFCO process.” But who knows? Does anyone know how this “Foundation” is funded? Did the money come from Olympic Valley property owners that just want better snow removal in Hidden Lakes or did the money come from “friends” of N*?
The IOV Foundation paid for the Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis to the tune of $85K. Previously that would have only cost $57K until SVSH filed some ridiculous complaint. They have also been forced to spend money on legal fees to keep up with the battalion of lawyers hired by KSL. To suggest that IOV has spent as much as KSL, or that those amounts are being funded by Vail are ludicrous. This comment only goes to show how delusional the upper management at SVSH, and the lawyers behind SOV really are….
The Ski Resort? I assume Mr Follow The Money is referring to KSL. KSL has spent nearly $500,000.00 to keep IOV from even getting to a vote. And in 4.5 months. I think their budget is around $3,000,000.00 and they will spend it all to thwart the will of the people.
Transparent? KSL attacks IOV at every instance. IOV is now in compliance with State laws and the SOViets are not happy. Proof is the above statement.
I suggest you attend an IOV meeting and ask your questions. I will also attend an SOV meeting and ask mine.
Oh Yeah, SOV doesn’t have meetings.
Transparency?
I think we can see thru to the facts.
SOV is a KSL attempt to stop any effort that threatens their ability to sell condo’s.
Period.
So who were the marketing geniuses that came up with the slogan, ” Foursomes are better than threesomes” on the Squaw billboard headed south on 89 at the mousehole?
Really, Squaw, promoting yourself as a family resort I see.
So when junior asks what does a foursome mean daddy? What will the reply be??
Nice work Squaw marketing, nice work.
Got approved by someone in upper mgmt too.
BOZOS, and they think we want or respect their community leadership abilities? Riiiiight……..
I was wondering the same thing the other day…. not to say there isn’t some truth to their logic but really who came up with that and who signed off on it. What exactly is it really? A slogan, a pitch? I feel like it wouldn’t get you far in a basic intro marketing 101 class. It is… nothing. I agree I think this reflects very poorly on those who are *supposed* to be in charge.
Oh yeah, corporate skiing still sucks!!!
Foursome versus three $um
KSL can fund a remake of
Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice
Bob and Carol and Andy and Chevis
Too bad there are no movie makers in Olympic Valley