OCR Text |
Show Wasatch (Grats ely A Canyon Reporter | TROUBLED TRAL: (CHARITY TO GREED BY JOHN BRESEE “The most important part of my The dream is to expand the Snowbird Institute into a Center for Human Understanding, a ‘renaissance center’ dedicated to the development of the body, mind, and spirit.” -Dick © Bass, Owner of Snowbird Co. ws individual packages of Ramen Noodles, the staple food of ski Bass’ was been has a receives every year. In what could be Snowbird because of continual his deep has pushed an _ which allowed the bearer, and a guest, fee i to bypass Valley, $4500 the tram’s was a lift line. The donation to the Snowbird Institute, and as such was a charitable deduction, as well as being the ultimate in ski accessories. Snowbird’s burgeoning rapacious appetite has replaced the charitable pass with what they term the “Seven Summits Club.” The core of Seven Summits Club is a “Priority Pass” which allows purchaser to bypass not just the the — new the tram line but all lift lines at the resort... for a mere $12,500. Don’t even think about trying to deduct this baby; Uncle Sam will slap you down. There the east rel (this is what ee fram line but all lift lines at the But don’t i. resort... for a mere $12,500 set destructive panky forays there, into on Dick Bass’ significant investment be summed up in one _ sentence.” Yet this sentence is also the foundation for Snowbird’s Snowbird pass and 21 days of heli-skiing. BK new shoes (inc. 12 pairs Air Max statement, so someone at Snowbird was certainly trying to sum it up. is ) —. over the last 25 years.” $12,500= What | need to get - through the year: lams dog food, 40lbs $336; Gas for my motorcycle & car $1255.67; Rent $6,000; Food $3,600; Coffee $416; Baby needs mission $12,500=A regular will people watch responded that, “Dick Bass’ dream that, count Huggies wait until you take advantage of the “One Stay at the Cliff Lodge” perk. This is a five night stay at Snowbird’s famous cement enclave. About this, Snowbird says, “The stay at the Cliff is for members only (who, of course, may be accompanied by a guest).” No immediate family |§= member requirement here, if you know what — Supreme Diapers - Susan Bresee, new mother ee Win Win? Or Win Lose? It is hard to pick out the bigger loser, icc jrivileges. cannot stated a day...if you ski every single day. Near as we purchaser to bypass not just the to gain, Mr. Morris answered “while Snowbird just had it’s best year, it did come down to a __ business decision..We are making a continuing effort to get a viable return Seven Analyst Snowbird Summits oom with clubs at other resorts like Aspen and Vail.” In response to the question of, “Does this represent a repudiation of Dick Bass’ dream,” Mr Morris Business Morris, your skiing will cost you about $130 $12,500= 1,724 packages of 20 Summits Club is anew “Priority the Institute had to lose for Snowbird Courtney what so don’t base The list of perks goes on, but add them all up and what you really have is one expensive lift ticket. Based on the days Snowbird was open last year, is and exclusive club which competes on par Snowbird.” -John Witchell “Seven with to tip the hard SPEND MORE! ski world, as the “ski school line.” Another benefit quarter youngster, Perhaps it is the “Charging Privilegs” which really light this deal up. For your twelve-five you get the right to in the “" — eaivoa is your whole decision on this option. as an Club.” The core of the Seven merit for concern. When asked why $12,500="My annual salary while a team member at Camp member shiny working user who can use the member can not.” The holder may bring one through the “Priority a Summits Club is an upscale ~ number. family i pe much Cliff — parking costs the average patron only Line.” What used to be known the the option, the the charitable pass term at nice editors at the WCR to enumerate the titillating benefits that are yours for a mere twelve large. The “priority pass” (color as yet undecided) is unfortunately non-transferable. You are allowed to designate one Lounge and they Parking another actually free to anyone at the Cliff - or at least it always has been. Valet the rapacious appetite has replaced “The. in this isn’t “Snowbird’s — burgeoning ‘“, ™” the previously pristine wilde es areas of Little Cottonwood Canyon. An intimate observer of the changes at Snowbird noted, “One might look at Snowbird’s treatment of the Snowbird Institute as a barometer for the entire canyons community.” If his observation is correct, then there is isn’t a dollar of charity Club” Hidden Peak, the Black Pass. Previously, the Black “Valet Lodge,” dream of a life time, allow the humble alternate pass pass when the Priority Pass ticketed guest Dick Bass’. dream, Snowbird has -. aggressive Snowbird Development canceled the principal source of _ plan which includes: an enormous ski funding for the Snowbird Institute: lodge on Pass was a $4500 Snowbird ski pass Summits | “immediate concerns regarding the level of - business competition which Alta was interpreted as the sad perversion of — bringing. Gardiner Birkmeyer, frequent Snowbird skier 47 “Seven reportedly caused the cancellation of _-years prior to gutting the majority of funding which the Snowbird Institute | $710.83; of Ray Gardiner Snowbird has headed a course that has had many canyon locals and visitors concerned. the UTA shuttle bus between Alta and made pro-price) (big year) $134.50 —Helen Blair Lest one start to think that the harsher cuts yet to come. Gardiner _ statement Lite Il, Power bars=$47.; 47 bike tubes degradation of employee ski rights, and rumors abound about even 107,042.28 bums. -Nameless Ski Bum of Snowbird’s decision are more far reaching than might be thought. In the past few years, under the stern helmsmanship There $12,500 Dick ramifications | the Snowbird Institute, the Seven Summits purchaser, or the | continuing decline of Snowbird as a beneficial presence in the canyon. On the surface the Snowbird institute is hit hardest. The Black Pass program was their meat and potatoes. Dan Knowles, a Snowbird Institute board member acknowledged that the revenue from the previous sale of Black Passes was “a fairly significant percentage of our operating revenue.” Mr Knowles understands stated that while he Snowbird’s decision, he feels “it appears to be monetary in nature” and the Snowbird Institute would not be true to their mission statement if they didn’t “reassess our relationship with Snowbird.” What that means is anyone’s guess, but an educated assumption could mean a move of venue for the Snowbird Institute. A charitable organization of the Institute’s stature, with the significant endowment they currently enjoy, would be a plum for any other resort or community area. Mr. Knowles stated that the Snowbird we’re saying. Along this same line is the “Weekly Massage at the Cliff Spa.” While we are big fans of the. rubbing arts, we thought it was better to inquire about this weekly treat. We phoned the spa and asked “would this Seven Summits Massage be a sensual Institute had no current plans to move massage?” We were summarily hung to a new area, and reiterated up on, so we feel we can say with | Snowbird Corp.’s long-standing some authority that the weekly charitable support of the Institute. massage component is just regular rubbing. $12,500= 250, 000 worms at Stinson’ S Page 6 gummy -Nancy $12,500=a subscription to 625-year ‘the Wasatch Continued on next page © |