Rumors circulate Squaw, Alpine in merger talks
By Jeremy Benson, ESPN Action Sports
Recently, there has been chatter that Squaw Valley’s new owner, KSL Capital Partners, is attempting to purchase neighboring Alpine Meadows from its owner, JMA Ventures.
The rumors have been circulating mostly on websites like Unofficialsquaw.com and Epicski.com. UnofficialSquaw.com contributor Miles Clark recently posted that a “letter of intent” had even been signed by both parties, signaling the first stages of a transaction that could eventually lead to the creation of a Tahoe mega-resort.
Right now it's rumors Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley will merge. Photo/LTN file
But rumors of a possible Alpine/Squaw merger have been around since Alpine Meadows opened in 1961 and never have the two resorts been able to strike a deal. As a 10-year resident of North Lake Tahoe and a passholder at both resorts, my interest was certainly piqued — Could it really be happening this time or is UnofficialSquaw.com just blowing smoke? — so I decided to investigate.
I started by calling Troy Caldwell, the man in the middle, who owns White Wolf, a 460-acre privately-owned property located between the two resorts (which includes the top of Squaw’s KT-22 chair). His land is the link in an eventual connection of the two resorts. Caldwell has entertained combining the two resorts through his property for decades, saying, “We’ve always kept that door open.” When asked last week what he thought about the rumored ski resort merger Caldwell said, “I’ve heard those rumors a lot this year, and I don’t believe them to be true … If there is something going on, they haven’t involved me.”
Amelia Richmond, Squaw Valley’s PR representative, also denied that a sale was in the works. “The rumors circulating regarding a letter of intent between KSL and JMA regarding the purchase of Alpine Meadows are simply incorrect,” she said. Regarding Squaw’s relationship with Caldwell, Richmond said, “Squaw Valley leases land from Troy Caldwell and we have committed to working together with him as neighbors. Troy is a great guy and good friend of ours.”
Alpine Meadows spokesperson Rachael Woods also confirmed that they are “just rumors.”