UPDATE x2: Construction Back Underway at Schweitzer Mountain Resort?

(photo courtesy of Schweitzer Mountain Resort)

Is construction back underway at Schweitzer Mountain Resort? This photo, released today, makes it clear that something is going on at the resort. With the economy beginning to recover, is it really time for Schweitzer to ramp up construction in anticipation of an upswing in sales? Our guess is, second home sales will continue to decline through the end of this year and well into next. Why then, is so much going on up on the mountain? Perhaps the caption will draw some attention: "the future home of Mountainside at Schweitzer." Ah, that's it.

What is this "Mountainside at Schweitzer?" We'll be honest; we have no idea -- our only guess is some sort of destination club/members-only lodge. Perhaps it's the "added amenity" for buyers at Trapper's Creek -- we don't know. Of course, this is purely speculation. Perhaps SMR could be a little more open and transparent about all of this so that we don't have to guess what this means?

UPDATE: Schweitzer has clarified what's going on in their re-written caption for the picture, "construction continues at Trapper's Creek." It seems we're just seeing the development (possibly) finally come to fruition. Still, it seems foolish to keep building in this economy.

UPDATE x2: Fractional Life has this story for us, which clarifies what exactly is going on at the resort:

Developer Schweitzer Mountain has begun construction on four luxury residences at Trappers Creek, the ski-in/ski-out neighborhood located above the Schweitzer Village in North Idaho. Three of the properties will be the first to be sold on a fractional basis in the area.

The design of the units has been described as "rustic contemporary" or "modern mountain", with a balance of wood and stone, large balconies to enjoy the summer, and orientations that will maximize views of Lake Pend Oreille. The full ownership home will be approximately 3,400 square feet, while the three fractional ownership units will each have three bedrooms and a footprint of around 2,400 square feet.

Buyers will be offered 1/8 shares in the units, and will benefit from as yet unspecified club amenities. Michael Burns, an experienced fractional ownership consultant has been working with Schweitzer's ownership to develop the concept.

Schweitzer aims to begin sales around Christmas 2009, with the first unit fast-tracked and ready for occupancy as soon as February 15, 2010. The other units would then be completed near the end of the upcoming ski season and ready to close by late Spring 2010.

Weather Forecast & Snow Report - 12/3

It's December already? Where did the year go? 2008 has been a great year for Schweitzer and the ski industry as a whole; in the northwest we had record snowfall and skier visits have finally been on the rise, even amidst a deep recession for the country. We'll recap the year in the coming weeks to recall all the awesome things that happened in 2008.

There's finally good news on the weather front. Here's a summary of everything that's been going on there.
It has finally cooled down enough for Schweitzer to start snowmaking on a large scale; they've been making snow 24/7 in four areas: the Village plaza, the Musical Carpet/Never Ever Tow Learning Area, Happy Trails, and the base of the Quad.

If conditions allow and the resort is able to fire the snowguns 24/7, there is a possibility that they may be able to open one run - Happy Trails - and two chairlifts - Musical Chairs and the Musical Carpet on Saturday. Only the weather and safety will be able to determine that. If there is enough man-made snow to open, ski patrol deems it safe, and management believes it is viable, they will open. If they do, expect reduced-price lift tickets and limited food service.

The weather itself looks like it will turn extremely unsettled by the end of the week. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the Northeast Washington mountains and the Idaho Panhandle. It calls for one to two feet of snow this weekend - with an even more powerful storm to follow Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. As there is still some uncertainty as to the track and other variables in this storm, a watch has not yet been issued, however you can likely expect one within the next couple days.

In even more news, the GFS ensembles (models used by meteorologists to forecast) are currently pointing toward an almost invariably white mid-range forecast - with a snowstorm almost every 36 hours for the next week or so - at least. It is too early to tell whether this will actually come to fruition, and in all likeliness it will not completely - but it is an encouraging step in the right direction as we all get ready to hit the slopes. However, at this point, do expect a wetter pattern to prevail for the next week.