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Boutique South Island ski field business for sale
Boutique South Island ski field business for sale
The business operating Mt Dobson, one of the South Island’s premier ski fields has been placed on the market for sale.
The accessible 400-hectare Mt Dobson ski field is located in the centre of the island, directly off the main tourist route of State Highway 8, between Christchurch and Queenstown. It is 76km from Timaru and Fairlie is its closest township. The area makes up part of the Canterbury region, which has been named at the top of the list of ‘Destinations on the Rise’, according to Travellers’ Choice of Destinations by Trip Advisor.
Developed by the Foote family in the 1970s, the ski field operation has built up a loyal customer base, with a range of terrain that caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Mount Dobson Ski Area has placed the
business, equipment, buildings, and Crown concession on the
market, with an option to also buy the land and workshop
buildings in Fairlie. The property is being marketed by
negotiation through Bayleys Canterbury salesperson Kate
Mullins. Offers upwards of $1.2 million are expected for the
ski field. There is also the option of also buying the
Fairlie section and workshop used for servicing ski field
machinery, which has a ratable value of $60,000.
The
boutique ski field is spread over two large basins and has
offers uncrowded trails to test skiers and snowboarders of
all levels – with 20 per cent of terrain grades rated
‘beginner’, 50 per cent of terrain rated
‘intermediate’ and 30 per cent graded for ‘advanced’
enthusiasts. Four lifts servicing the ski areas are able to
carry a total capacity of 4000 people an hour.
The ski
field’s south-westerly aspect has an altitude of 1725
metres above sea level - making it the highest ski area car
park in New Zealand. Its location close to the main divide
of the Southern Alps made Mt Dobson ideally positioned for
natural snow cover, said Ms Mullins. This allowed the
business to capitalise on a long ski season, she
said.
Expansion opportunities would also allow a new owner
to grow the business both on and off-season, said Ms
Mullins.
“There is plenty of capacity to expand the
existing tows and lifts to open up new runs, boosting
potential increased business. In addition, building and
service facilities on the mountain could be further
developed. The business is ready to be taken to the next
level.
“Meanwhile, an abundance of water on the
mountain in natural waterways allows for the development of
significant snowmaking.
“Training programmes with
primary and secondary schools in Canterbury have already
been set up by Mt Dobson, and considerable patronage comes
from this source. There is significant potential for
increasing customer capacity through investment and wider
marketing of these.
Rental of the ski area is based on turnover. A long term lease is in place, with the current concession from the crown having 39 years left to run.
The ski area is managed day-to-day basis by the founder and owner, Peter Foote, and up to 12 permanent staff including two managers who live on-site, and seasonal staff as required during the winter months.
Mt Dobson offers a buyer a specialist lifestyle, combining a fun sporting activity while working with visitors to the area, said Ms Mullins.
“This is a business opportunity with plenty of room for development. It could appeal to a keen skier, investor or potentially a group looking to secure a private ski field for training.”
Buildings on Mt Dobson include
a staff accommodation building, generator workshop, ski
hire, café and ticket office, first aid room, ski school
office and toilet block adjacent to the car park. On-site
the business has three snow-groomers and some snow-making
equipment.
Ms Mullins said a freehold workshop and
section in Fairlie, 25km from Mt Dobson, is also for sale as
part of the assets. Located at 30 Alloway Street, it has a
nine-bay maintenance workshop of 600 sqm built on 1012 sqm
of land, and is used for servicing the ski field
machinery.
The current owner is retiring after 35 years,
but is happy to offer his wealth of knowledge and experience
to a new owner during an extensive hand-owner, should this
be required, she
said.
ENDS
Bayleys Real Estate
New Zealand
Bayleys is New Zealand's largest full-service real estate company. We offer expertise in the marketing and sale of a wide range of property, including residential real estate, farms and lifestyle blocks, and commercial and industrial property. This includes tourism and business sales such as hotels and motels. We also cover the real estate markets in Fiji and other Pacific Islands.
Bayleys also provides a complete property and facilities service including property management and valuations teams focused on achieving both Owner and Tenant satisfaction.
No other real estate company can match our breadth of coverage across all market sectors throughout New Zealand.
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