When we last checked in on the lease dispute between Park City Mountain Resort and Talisker Land Holdings, LLC, there was a glimmer of hope that a ski-season saving deal could be in the works. Both sides had just requested a 9-day mediation extension and we all sat with fingers crossed. Now, in the same week that the New York Times wrote an article detailing all the Park City drama, PCMR has launched a new website that makes us question whether mediation is going all that well. Sigh.
On Monday, PCMR launched a new website (their old one, supportpcmr.com, still works too) likely deal with the massive PR mess created by the lawsuit. The website, called keepparkcityopen.com includes the following message from Jenni Smith, the president and general manager of PCMR:
"Let's Work Together. These have been difficult times for all of us who love Park City and are fortunate enough to call it home. There has been a great deal of publicity surrounding Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) and all of us at PCMR want you to know one thing: We are committed to keeping the resort open for the 2014/15 winter season.
The mountain we love is divided: we own outright the base area, parking, lower ski terrain and lifts, as well as water and snowmaking for the entire mountain, and Vail has leased the rights to PCMR's upper ski terrain from Talisker. The court will set the bond, but our commitment today is to fight for an immediate, fair resolution with Vail so that we and the community can know with certainty that the resort will be open this season and beyond. You should not have to pay a price for a divided mountain.
PCMR has played a leading role in making Park City what it is today: a world-class place to ski, snowboard and enjoy an unparalleled quality of life. You have our commitment to resolve the situation with Vail so that the upcoming season is a success for Parkites and our guests."
This website could be interpreted in two ways. First, as too little, too late. Or, as a good sign that PCMR finally understands the public's serious concerns about whether or not the ski resort will operate in 2014-2015.
Meanwhile, Judge Ryan Harris is in the midst of figuring out how much bond PCMR should be required to post to remain on the disputed ski terrain while it takes its appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. PCMR believes the bond should be set between $1,021,308 and $6,559,616 (for more info, check out the Park Record). It's likely that Talisker has a much higher figure in mind, but they redacted the numbers so we don't know for sure. The judge is expected to consider the bond amount on August 27, just a few days after mediation ends.
So that's where we stand, Curbediverse. Mediation is ongoing, the PCMR PR machine is still running at high speed, and even the New York Times has weighed in on the crisis. Allegedly, hotel bookings for the upcoming ski season haven't suffered yet, but how long will that last?
· Ski Town May Face Winter Without Popular Path to Slopes [NYT]
· PCMR launches 'Keep Park City Open' website [Park Record]
· PCMR and Talisker seem to be wide apart in bond numbers [Park Record]
· Could PCMR & Vail Resorts Be Close to Making a Deal? [Curbed Ski]
· PCMR Delays Woodward Park City Talks, Everyone Wonders What It Means For Lawsuit [Curbed Ski]
· PCMR Threatens Catastrophe, Outlines Lift Dismantling [Curbed Ski]
· All PCMR-Talisker Coverage [Curbed Ski]