Searchmont opening depends on weather, resort rep says after mild, rainy days

Despite a slightly earlier-than-usual arrival of snow and frigid temperatures, Searchmont Resort’s opening date for the season is still unknown, due to the warmer, rainy days we’ve had.

“The early cold temperatures we had were pretty unprecedented. We didn’t normally get that cold at this time of year and it enabled us to make a lot more snow. We’ve had a few weeks of snowmaking but we had to shut down when the temperatures warmed up,” said Barb Greensted, Searchmont Resort inside operations manager, speaking to SooToday.

Though Searchmont Resort’s opening date for the season depends on nature, Greensted said, she added the public will know of the opening date through the resort's website, through Facebook and other means when the time comes.

“We’re hopeful for a good season,” Greensted said.

“It’s very positive that we have a new owner that has the experience and the vision of what the resort can be and has plans for capital improvements after we’re done with this season. With the timing of the purchase, it didn’t really allow us enough time to do anything this year, but we definitely plan to hit the ground running next spring,” Greensted said.

Detroit-based Wisconsin Resorts Inc. and the Sault Ste Marie Economic Development Corporation announced the purchase of Searchmont Resort for $2 million Nov. 2. The deal, which includes all land and equipment, was finalized Nov. 1.

Joseph Kosik, president of Wisconsin Resorts Inc., told local media of plans to improve the hill, including the addition of $750,000 worth of snow-making equipment.

Wisconsin Resorts owns and manages three Michigan resorts (Pine Knob in Clarkston, Mich., Mt. Holly in Holly, Mich. and Bittersweet, Otsego, Mich.) as well as Alpine Valley in Elkhorn, Wisc.