Steady Brook, Newfoundland – After years of instability, the provincial government has decided to try to sell an ailing ski resort.
The CBC reports that the provincial government of Newfoundland & Labrador is now seeking expressions of interest (EOI) to either purchase or operate Marble Mountain Ski Resort.
The document states that “the Province is seeking to hear from potential proponents that may be interested in presenting a sustainable business model and who are willing to undertake investment in the resort including maintaining/improving ski assets in order to maintain benefits to the western region of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The ski resort has a decent vertical drop of 1700 feet and 230 acres of skiable terrain. It gets a decent amount of snowfall, with nearly 200 inches of annual powder. Marble Mountain also has a stunning base lodge and various lodging options adjacent to the mountain.
They do get a little bit of business during the offseason, with scenic chairlift rides that have an observation deck at the summit. A private party runs a zipline tour and aerial adventure course at the ski resort. Cruise ships coming into Corner Brook during the summer and fall help them get a decent amount of visitation.
However, Marble Mountain does have its fair share of issues. Its aging infrastructure needs extensive renovations.
In 2018, the provincial government issued an expression of interest (EOI) request to privatize Marble Mountain. They received three bidders, but none fit the government’s vision. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic changed parts of the mountain’s proposals, so the provincial government took it off the market for a bit. The provincial government puts a sizeable amount of money into the ski area each year, with $1.306 million CAD going into the mountain this year.
In addition, like much of Eastern Canada’s ski industry, the weather is sometimes unpredictable. Last winter, Marble Mountain experienced a nasty batch of rain, leading to mudslides on its snowy base. However, Marble recovered and reopened in March.
The provincial government believes private investment is needed for the mountain’s success. If you’re interested in submitting a bid, you have until September 13th.
Image/Video Credits: Marble Mountain Ski Resort, CBC
