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Show I1, . . : . . ... ji :"f f " ft! j .kf'i 1- ,! S ' v , -ptitr""- u, " , !k' C 'l f t mi i. m , iiiiir.inii1iii.nl inn, iiiiii.imiiiiiiiniiinlinniimiii.niii.iiiiiiii' ilili II n lijrHmithf -: tit. .iiiili mil, iiiiiirt iiiiinliii miiiiii I ! I This Christmas gift includes two chairlifts, a snowcat, 100 ... and a neon sign. pairs Of Skis and boots . . . photos by Teri Gomes Buy your own ski area and get a rental shop to boot by Teri Gomes Shopping for just the right gift can be so difficult. And with Christmas just a scant two months away it's not too early to start pairing off E folks on your list with "that special gift." This year the folks at Coleman Land Company can help with a truly one-of-a-kind item your very own ski area. Located just off 1-80 in the f iiiini.iiimiiiiij ij. i i iL. . lovely Gorgoza Pines area, this 124-acre parcel includes two chair lifts, a day lodge and comes with sewer and water already in place. Last year this specialty item would have cost you $3.7 million but this year the sellers are serious about giving you a chance to call this hill your own. Currently the asking price is a cool $2.3 million which would include a Thiokol snowcat and more than 100 pairs of skis and boots from the rental shop. Parley's Summit could be yours. For those of you with the development itch, the area has great potential. It has been Master Plan-approved for 260 condo units. A great beginners' hill, the area has also been looked at by the University of Utah ski "WB".:.. ': 1111 111 IIIL-LIJ 1 1 1 team for its alpine racing team. And at one time a plan was developed to create a ski jump on one section which features a steep short run. But that's only part of the area's history. John Young, ' brother of well-known Brig-ham, Brig-ham, first bought the land for his little narrow-gauge railroad which would connect con-nect Salt Lake with the Weber River Valley. A Spaniard, one Mr. Gorgoza, invested nearly $1 million in the railroad when he was promised great dividends and an entire town to be named after him. As Mr. Gorgoza found out and we know now, no such town was created on the site bearing his name, but the area did become known as Gorgoza Pines. Through the years a number num-ber of investors have come up with grand ideas for the area, including the King Sisters of singing fame, who at one time planned an entire winter amusement project. There is also on the property a natural ice rink area which was used three years ago by skater Lynn Holly Johnson of "Ice Castles" Cas-tles" fame to do a routine for a Burl Ives special filmed in the Park City area. "Last year was the first year we didn't lose any money," the owners admit. "We didn't open." They also acknowledge the beginners' area was built in the 60s at ,the same time Park City and ParkWest ski areas were building, and the competition competi-tion for the skier was tough. Still, the area "is a veritable history of skiing in Utah," maintains realtor Bill Coleman. As you look at the area from Interstate 80, off to the far right is the old Rustler chair lift from Alta. "And up on the hill, the little green shed you see used to house an old Olds-mobile Olds-mobile engine which powered the rope tow which went up the side of the hill." Skiing at Deer Valley is exclusive, sure. But imagine the prestige of inviting your friends to ski at your very own hill. No riff raff allowed. The day lodge does have a cafeteria so you would only need to bring your favorite chef along to whip up lunch. So, if you've been thinking what gift would bring out the excited child-at-heart in the one you love, consider giving the gift that lasts: land. And on Christmas day when friends compare ranch bred mink and Fifth Avenue baubles, no one, but no one will be able to beat a one-of-a-kind ski hill. |
