Rotarun Ski Club Master Development Plan Summary

Prepared by Rotarun Ski Club

This information was presented to the public at Rotarun's open house Tuesday, June 12, 2007.

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Master Development Plan Summary

Rotarun, because of its location, elevation, solar aspect, and fall line slope, is the perfect natural site for a ski area to serve the skiing/snowboarding needs of residents of the Hailey area and south Blaine County.

Location: 2 miles west of Hailey, ID, up Croy Canyon road.
Elevation: Base elevation, 5480’, Top elevation, 5875’, Vertical drop, 395’
Solar aspect: Rotarun’s main slopes are northeast to northwest facing, limiting the amount of sun exposure which helps retain snow pack during the cold months (November – January).
Fall line slope: Rotarun’s natural slope distribution (steeper at the top and shallower at the bottom) is favorable and allows a well-organized ski/snowboard area zoning. This natural slope distribution protects the snow from sun exposure providing good snow retention.

Rotarun has 30 acres of skiing/snowboarding terrain serviced by a rope tow and platter lift. Maximum lift capacity for the rope tow and platter lift: 450 skiers per hour. 10 acres has an 8-20% grade and is designated for beginners/teaching. 10 acres is intermediate terrain and the remaining 10 acres has a 35-50% grade and designated as advanced terrain

Rotarun has existed for over 50 years, and has 56 years left on a 99 year lease.

Rotarun has acquired a non-consumptive water right from the state.

Natural snow

Prevailing storms generally come from the southwest. Rotarun’s slopes are in the lee of the prevailing weather and are protected from most wind events.

Loss of snow due to wind erosion and sublimation are not expected to be a major factor.

Natural snow does not come on a dependable basis to guarantee a long and consistent season; therefore snowmaking is a primary consideration to the success of Rotarun and to the ski/snowboard programs it provides and supports.

Rotarun has had a long and positive skiing history, providing affordable and accessible skiing for children and families of Hailey and south Blaine County. Yet, because of the inconsistencies of natural snow, Rotarun is not viewed as a dependable ski area by the public and has fallen out of favor. Rotarun is at a critical point.

Changes Recommended

Snowmaking: Snowmaking in combination with natural snow and Rotarun’s natural setting would allow for earlier openings, consistent operations through the season and staying open later.
     Rotarun water right allows for snowmaking.
     Typical winter temperatures (November – February) support snowmaking.
Increase lift capacity: Current lift capacity of 450 skiers per hour does not meet the demand occurring during peak hours – after school and weekend mornings. An additional lift, preferably a chair, to the top of Rotarun is warranted.
Lodge: The current lodge is small and becomes very cramped during peak user hours. Also, the current lodge does not provide an office or administration area to perform the necessary functions of ski area management.

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Proposed Plan

Snowmaking: A York Snow system similar to the system installed on Dollar Mountain this past winter is preferred. Six York Safyr guns would be installed. Water would be pumped and stored in a cooling pond located at the bottom of the mountain to the west.
Lift: Rotarun has acquired the Dollar and Quarter Dollar lifts from the Sun Valley Company. Both lifts have been completely rebuilt in the last few years; therefore are very mechanically sound. The Sun Valley, Co. is keeping the Dollar towers for the new lift being installed. The proposed budget includes the purchase of new towers.
Lodge: The Heli-Ski Building is located in Ketchum, ID. The developer of the property has committed to donating the costs of demolishing and disposing of the building towards moving it to Rotarun. The Heli-Ski building is 3,762 square feet of space and will be the new lodge and operations office. Projected cost per square foot is less than $45.

Proposed Ski/Snowboard Area Use

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Fully Expanded Rotarun Winter Sports Facility

Rotarun Lodge

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Proposed Budget

SNOWMAKING
Well, Panel & 75 Horse Motor
Cooling Pond, complete with Liner
6 York Snowmaking Guns, at $18,000 each
Installation of steel lines & snowmaking heads
Total: Snowmaking

CHAIRLIFT
Installation of chairlift, complete, turnkey

HELI-SKI BUILDING DONATION
Moving the Heli-Ski Building
     Pacific Movers have capped their cost to move      the building from Ketchum to Rotarun.
     Normal retail price: $37,000
Cost from Utilities for Moving Heli-Ski Building
Idaho Power
Others: Cox Communications is Primary
SubTotal: Moving Heli Building

HELI-SKI BUILDING REMODEL
Excavation: Jeff Smith
Foundation: Merrick Construction
Electrical, plumbing, rough-in work, re-roofing
drywall, carpet and vinyl*
     *received 2 bids, used higher of the two
Proposed Addition for small rental/repair shop
     594 sf
SubTotal: Remodel Heli-Ski Building
Total: Heli-Ski Building

Projected Cost
$10,000
$10,000
$108,000
$50,000
$178,000

$153,000





$29,000

$8,500
$1,000
$38,500


$ 10,000
$ 15,000
$ 84,565

$ 20,000

$ 129,565
$ 168,065

Grand Total

Grand total of all improvements including snowmaking, chairlift, and moving and remodeling Heli-Ski Building:
$499,065.00

Revenue Projections

With snowmaking, Rotarun can pursue other revenue streams. Two examples of potential income sources:

After School Ski/Snowboard Competition Programs and Races: The Hailey Ski Team and Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation both have teams which could train at Rotarun after school and on the weekends. Last year, between the two teams, Rotarun received an additional $20,000 in pass fees to train for the season. Even though it was a tough year for snow, with the addition of snowmaking both teams are planning to increase training activities and racing events. Besides the increase from ticket sales, both teams will rent the current hut for team lockers if another lodge is built, another revenue source for Rotarun. Also, as a result of increased team training and races, Rotarun anticipates a corresponding increase in food/drinks sales.

Learn to Ski Programs: Hailey has become the family town of the Wood River Valley in the last 15 years. Kids and more kids are being born or moving into Hailey. Research shows Rotarun has a great opportunity to develop learn to ski programs. Last year a total of 875 children participated in the local elementary schools ski program. 44% or 384 were beginners and could have gone to Rotarun instead of Dollar for skiing lessons if Rotarun became a consistent alternative. Also, the schools would rather use Rotarun for beginner and lower intermediate level skiers to reduce costs, primarily transportation costs. Besides the school programs, research shows a huge opportunity exists to develop a weekend program to teach beginner and intermediate children skiing; therefore the need for a small ski school.

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2007 Elementary Schools Ski Programs

44% of local elementary school kids went to Dollar rather then Baldy.

Demand for affordable skiing programs

Hailey Elementary School: Tom Bailey, “We need an affordable alternative and more people would participate.”
Hemingway Elementary School: 43% of the kids went to Dollar rather then Baldy.
Woodside Elementary School: 76% of the kids rented equipment.
Bellevue Elementary School: Sarah Polk, “...estimates about 30 kids had never skied before and 96% participated.”

Revenue Projections

Other areas to increase ticket sales are being explored but can only become reality with the addition of snowmaking. With each additional ticket sale, Rotarun would have other opportunities to increase its revenue, with increase food/drink sales being #1.

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