Park City, UT – The land lease battle taking place in Summit County, Utah, that has cast doubt for some Park City skiers over the coming season at Park City Mountain Resort has been resolved in part, at least for now.
The dispute has been simmering since Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) in March 2011 failed to renew a 40-year land lease with United Park City Mines, which was acquired by Toronto, Canada-based Talisker Corporation in 2003. The lease covered 2,800 acres that constitutes much of the terrain upon which PCMR operates ski lifts, runs and other facilities.Talisker also owns nearby Canyons Resort, which it purchased in 2009.
In late December, Talisker advised PCMR that it deemed the company’s right to use the land expired, and that PCMR would need to vacate the premises unless a new agreement was signed. In response, PCMR officials filed a lawsuit against Talisker in March and immediately launched a public relations blitz to court the favor of public opinion. PCMR contends that Talisker’s actions are poised to place PCMR out of business.
In a statement released this week, Talisker indicates that in April it provided PCMR with a binding commitment that will allow PCMR’s 2012-13 ski and snowboard season to proceed as planned.
“That commitment was provided to minimize distractions to the Park City community while the contractual disagreement between PCMR and Talisker works its way to resolution,” Talisker’s statement read.
“Talisker argues that the agreements have expired and will not be extended until (PCMR) agrees to Talisker’s financial demands. (PCMR) believes those financial demands to be completely unreasonable,” PCMR officials said in a statement released on Thursday. “Although we’re encouraged by Talisker’s public statements that it doesn’t intend to attempt an eviction during the next ski season, the parties have been unable to resolve this dispute. We have always desired a fair and quick resolution to this dispute for the sake of our employees and the greater Park City community.”
Legal filings indicate that PCMR’s lease cost $155,000 annually. By contrast, Canyons Resort pays Wolf Mountain $3 million per year to lease the land upon which it operates.