Talisker, the Canadian company that owns the Canyons Resort, is making a lot of people angry this season. First, they’ve got environmentalists, local officials and backcountry skiers worked up by trying to ramrod their SkiLink proposal down the public’s throat via federal legislation. Now, they’ve got Park City Mountain Resort up in arms enough that PCMR has filed a lawsuit.
The land that Park City leases from Talisker includes areas around the Town Lift, the base area and all the ski lifts that ascend from the base. In addition, PCMR has reportedly spent $7 million in capital improvements over last summer.
Talisker is disputing PCMR’s claims, and issued a statement saying that PCMR is simply using litigation to “better its position, and avoid reaching a mutually fair outcome.” In addition, Talisker says they have no plans to close the resort. The full statement reads:
“We have not reviewed PCMR’s complaint in detail as of yet. PCMR’s lease of Talisker’s land expired in 2011. Talisker has offered PCMR new lease terms, and the parties have been in discussions regarding such new lease terms, which are subject to an agreement of confidentiality.
We had hoped to reach terms on the new lease that would be fair to both parties. Unfortunately it appears that PCMR is attempting to use litigation to better its position, and avoid reaching a mutually fair outcome.
At no time in these negotiations has Talisker contemplated or threatened to close Park City Mountain. We believed the negotiations were continuing and we are disappointed by PCMR’s action today. Talisker will have no further comment at this time.”
Time will tell what a judge will decide, but what happens next may determine what the ski industry in Park City will look like in the future.
You can watch KSL’s story below, or read the full article on KSL.com.
Whoa, I had no idea that PCMR’s land belonged to The Canyons. I actually like PCMR a lot better than the Canyons.