I was working in the industry during the late 80's and remember the trails being cut and work started. Seems like I heard the guy in Florida who owned Blockbuster and the florida marlins started it. Its ashame cause it looked like decent terrain.
I bet someone here knows the 411 on it............
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The messageboard is now in read-only mode and no new posts or topics can be created. We will leave the messageboard up for historical purposes, but you will not be able to make new posts or comment on existing ones.
We have started a Discord server and hope that you all will join us on there. Technology has changed over the years and maintaining the messageboard has become somewhat of a pain in the butt and Discord offers many features for users, the main one being a very polished mobile app.
We really hope you all will join us on Discord and think you will like the platform. Use the invite link below to join.
https://discord.gg/skisoutheast
Never opened slopes in Banner Elk
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You are probably talking about Diamond Ridge.
It was on the backside (Banner Elk side) of Hanging Rock. There is a road behind the Holiday Inn that goes by an old rock quarry. The base lodge was going to be there. They were going to use the quarry as their water storage for snowmaking. Bob Ash (of Beech Mt. and Ash Gun snowmaking fame) was involved.
The plan was to build it in two phases. The trails and at least one lift line were cut for phase one. Phase two called for a gondola going to the top of Hanging Rock. The funding dried up and the skiing plan was abandoned. The biggest problem they faced (besides funding) was the western exposure. I'm pretty sure there is a golf course in the valley now.
It was on the backside (Banner Elk side) of Hanging Rock. There is a road behind the Holiday Inn that goes by an old rock quarry. The base lodge was going to be there. They were going to use the quarry as their water storage for snowmaking. Bob Ash (of Beech Mt. and Ash Gun snowmaking fame) was involved.
The plan was to build it in two phases. The trails and at least one lift line were cut for phase one. Phase two called for a gondola going to the top of Hanging Rock. The funding dried up and the skiing plan was abandoned. The biggest problem they faced (besides funding) was the western exposure. I'm pretty sure there is a golf course in the valley now.
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This is now Diamond Creek Country Club. Home of Artisanal Restaurant, which happens to be one of the nicest restaurants in the state. They have an 11,000 bottle wine cellar in the basement that makes a wine fiend like myself drool.
Wayne Huizenga is the dood. And don't forget his best company: Waste Management!
Wayne Huizenga is the dood. And don't forget his best company: Waste Management!
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They even had a couple of liftpoles out there in some places. They were all laid on their sides but the trails were cut. It would have been really sick but yes it did have a lot of western exposure. Me and some buddies went out and hiked this after a 2ft storm and it was awesome. Unfortunatley the caretaker called the police and we got tickets for trespassing. When we got to court there were no less than 25 other skiers/snowboarders there and we were all talking about how good it was before we got caught. Ahhh to be young. Good times.....
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Huizenga bought that property well after the plans for skiing failed. He had nothing to do with it. In addition to WM, he owned: Blockbuster, Auto Nation, the Dolphins, Marlins, Panthers (i think) and a few top golf courses in SoFL. When it snows, you can get a decent view of the old slopes from the quad lift at Beech.
2019-20
Beech: 10
Snowshoe: 3
Alta: 2
Brighton: 1
Solitude: 1
Jackson Hole: 2
Beech: 10
Snowshoe: 3
Alta: 2
Brighton: 1
Solitude: 1
Jackson Hole: 2
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Wayne Huizenga is a *****.
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I remember stories about this from some friends in Boone back in the mid-nineties. Wouldabeencool.