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

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