Thursday, March 05, 2009

Last Rites

We consecrated Tamarack one last time. The last run ended after the chairs had stopped for good. The powder was soft and forgiving, not champagne, but nothing to complain about except the bittersweetness of it all.

Last day, first run
Last day, First run

I always like boot shots
I always like boot shots

For those outside the Great State of Idaho, Tamarack is a ski resort that opened a few years back. It's opening was contentious and it is the first new resort to open in thirty years in America. I banned it initially, thinking it didn't fit Idaho (it appears a bit hoity for the landscape) I patronized Brundage to the north in McCall, Bogus and Anthony Lakes instead. When a friend of mine started ski patrolling up there, I was enticed to go and with 78" of fresh snow for my virgin Tamarack experience, it was love at first turn. Since then I've met some wonderful friends who frequent the hill and I have had one outstanding day after another. The staff was professional and amazingly friendly right to the end (to the point of running over to patch my binding that broke only hours before the lifts stopped).

The fate of Tamarack is in the courts now. The bank that financed Tamarack went bankrupt, and in the post housing bubble (a big part of what was to make Tamarack a success) they have been unable to secure new financing. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf delt another below the belt punch when they pulled out of what looked like a deal to save the resort last year. So, at 4PM yesterday the lifts stopped for what could be months, years or possibly forever.

Last supper
The view from the Last Supper (ok, lunch actually)

IMG_5254
Construction stopped

Tyvek Village
It may remain a Tyvek Village for a while now



Last chairride up
Last lift of the ______?

Bye Tamarack!
Bye for now Tamarack!

1 comments:

Stephanie said...

I love your photos, they are so beautiful! What a great way to spend your birthday!