Eldora season kicks off as Nederland eyes ownership
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Workers at Eldora watch snowmaking efforts. Photo: Courtesy of Eldora
Eldora's opening day this Friday marks more than the start of ski season — it's a potential comeback for Nederland, still reeling from a fire that gutted its downtown.
Why it matters: The return of Boulder County's only ski area could jumpstart the mountain town's recovery and signal what's next as Nederland eyes ownership of Eldora itself.
State of play: Nederland's Board of Trustees is expected to review final documents related to the town's purchase of Eldora at a meeting next Tuesday and could get final approval by Dec. 16, according to town documents.
- The deal is likely to be about $115 million to $120 million, according to Nederland agenda materials.
- Nederland has already partnered with 303 Ski, a coalition of Front Range ski-industry veterans, to support operations this year as ownership changes hands.
Catch up quick: Utah-based POWDR announced plans to sell the 680-acre property earlier this year.
- Nederland will pay with municipal revenue bonds backed by the resort's earnings.
- The town will annex the mountain, and Eldora employees will become town employees.
Between the lines: Increased traffic from Eldora's opening comes roughly a month after an overnight blaze destroyed more than 20 businesses in the Caribou Village Shopping Center.
- Many of those businesses hoped to reopen in temporary locations in time to serve tourists passing through town for the ski season.
What's next: Eldora is set to celebrate its opening with music all weekend.
- "Thanks to cold nights interspersed between these recent warm days, Eldora's hardworking snowmaking and grooming crews have been able to lay down a nice base of snow," Eldora spokesperson Sam Bass told Axios Boulder.