2007-2008 FAST FACTS

Kirkwood Mountain Resort History

Contact: Weidinger Public Relations
775.588.2412

1960's

A Forest Service team hiked and skied Thimble Peak and the slopes adjacent to Kirkwood Meadow, recommending that Thimble Peak be considered for a top National Forest resort.
Bud Klein, former chairman of Klein Bros. International, gathered together a group of prominent Stockton businessmen (also avid skiers) who formed Kirkwood Meadows, Inc. (KMI) and embarked on the development of Kirkwood.

1968

Combination of two master plans approved by the Forest Service.

1971

KMI posted a $700,000 cash bond and signed a cooperative agreement so that the State of California would build two maintenance stations between Carson Pass and Peddler Hill.
State Route 88 became an all-weather road.
The U.S. Forest Service issued KMI a permit to build a ski resort on public land.
Kirkwood, California was only a meadow surrounded by mountains with a couple of buildings. There were no power, water or sewer lines to tap into. KMI couldn't start running lifts until Kirkwood had become a fully self-contained community.

1972

Kirkwood Ski Resort Opened.
Snowkirk Chair (#1), Caples Crest Chair (#2), Iron Horse Chair (#3), and Sunrise Chair (#4), completed.
Red Cliffs Main Lodge built.
Kirkwood Meadows Drive constructed.
Renwick Employee Housing built.
Housing Subdivision #1 built.
Vehicle Maintenance Shop constructed.
Power Generating Facility completed.
Sewage System installed.

1973

Solitude Chair (#5), and Cornice Chair (#6), constructed, opening the front side of Thimble Peak.
Additional trail clearing continued, allowing for the opening of Sentinel Bowl and added intermediate and advanced terrain.

1976

Red Cliffs Main Lodge expanded.
Timber Creek Lodge (then known as Haus Hahnenkamm) constructed.
Hole in the Wall Chair (#7) and the Hayflat Poma Lift (#8) installed in the Timber Creek Area.

1977

Bunny Chair (#9) installed in the Timber Creek Area.

1980

Red Cliffs Employee Housing completed.

1982

Sun Meadows condominiums completed, housing a new General Store and Post Office.
Remodeled ski shop added in the Main Lodge.
New powerhouse built.

1984

Wagon Wheel Chair (#10) installed, transporting skiers to the top of "The Wall" and servicing 700 acres of advanced and expert terrain.

1986

The Reut Chair (#11), completed, accessing 200 acres of advanced and intermediate terrain.
Caples Crest Chair (#2), converted from a double chair to a triple.
86 condominium units, a 175 seat restaurant and bar (The Cornice Cafe), and conference facilities added in the Sun Meadows condominium complex.
Food service capacity expanded in the Red Cliffs Lodge
New sun deck, with seating for an additional 100 people added at the Timber Creek Lodge.

1993

Solitude Chair (#5) and Cornice Chair (#6) upgraded to triple chairs.
Tim Cohee named president of the resort. Cohee, who has long been considered by industry experts as one of the most successful and aggressive ski marketers, replaced Michael Berry who became president of the National Ski Areas Association.

1994

Snowkirk Chair (#1) converted to a triple chair.
Kirkwood Associates, Inc. filed a consensual Chapter 11 seeking reorganization.

1995

The Telluride Group with Charles E. Cobb, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Arvida/Disney Corporation, purchased a significant interest in Kirkwood. Bud Klein, Kirkwood's original developer and largest shareholder, remained a major investor.
Foundation laid for The Lodge at Kirkwood, Phase I of Kirkwood’s new Mountain Village.
Terrain Park opened.

1996

Surface tow (Lift #12) added to the Timber Creek Learn-to-Ski area.
Snowboard center built, tripling the size of the existing center. The building also housed a special tickets office and added restrooms.
Snowmaking installed to the top of the mountain covering four trails and 55 acres.
Red Cliffs Outdoor Barbecue area expanded.
Mini-Mountain Day Care Center upgraded.
New signs installed throughout the valley, including a stonework gateway as you enter the resort, directional signs and many others.

1997

The Lodge at Kirkwood, Phase I of Kirkwood’s Mountain Village, completed housing 19 condominium units, Kirkwood Lodging Services, Off the Wall Bar & Grill, Kirkwood Sports/Hardgoods and a Real Estate product showcase.
Children’s Center constructed adjacent to the Timber Creek Day Lodge.
Three outside developers invested in Kirkwood’s base area development.
General Store and Post Office expanded, adding a full-service deli and seating area.
Pipe Dragon purchased and half-pipe constructed in the Timber Creek area.
Freestyle Terrain Park expanded.
Lift accessed mountain biking added on Snowkirk Chair (#1) and Caples Crest Chair (#2).
Outdoor climbing wall constructed.
Summer Adventure Center opened.

1998

Sunrise Chair (#4) upgraded to a fixed-grip quad chairlift increasing capacity from 1100 per hour to 1800.
Foundation laid for The Mountain Club, Phase II of the new Kirkwood Mountain Village, the first quarter-ownership project at a West Coast ski resort.
Foundation laid for Snowcrest, a 40 unit luxury condominium complex located at the base of Cornice Chair (#6).
Lost Cabin opened, with the first nine of 16 townhomes ready for occupancy.

1999

Construction completed on Lost Cabin town homes.
The Mountain Club opened with a health club and spa, Monte Wolfe’s Coffee House and Deli, Mountain Essentials and a Ticket Office.

2000

Food Service added at the Off the Wall Bar & Grill in the Lodge at Kirkwood.
Cornice Cafe becomes the Cornice Cantina with a Southwestern and Mexican menu.
Family Fun Play Area constructed adjacent to the new Mountain Village plaza.

2001

Cornice Chair (#6) upgraded to a high-speed quad, The Cornice Express.
Slide Mountain Tubing Hill opened.
Off the Wall Bar and Grill opened for full service dining.
Adult Ski & Board School moved to building across from Red Cliffs Day Lodge
Mini Mountain Day Care moved to centralized location across from Red Cliff Day Lodge
Snowboard Rental moved to expanded location in Red Cliffs Lodge with Ski Rental.

2002

Snowcrest Lodge opens with 32 luxury ski-in/ski-out condominiums and a hot tub.
Cornice Cantina reopens as Bub’s Sport’s Bar and Grill.
Snowbomb Superpark opens off of Caples Crest Chair.
Snow Volcano for sledding opens at plaza’s edge, next to Monte Wolfe’s.
Slide Mountain Tubing Hill expanded.

2003

The Village Ice Rink opens at Plaza’s edge.
Meadow Stone Lodge opens with 30 luxury slopeside condominiums, a full service fitness center and spa.
Phase One of the Swim and Fitness Complex is completed with a lap pool, swim play area, 16-person hot tub and fitness area.
Sunrise Grill reopens as Outback Grill, with an Aussie menu and staff.
Santa Cruz Snowskate Park opens.
Superpipe opens at base of Chair 5.

2004

Increased high angle grooming on Chairs 6, 10, & 4.
Palisades road under construction allowing winter access to home sites.
New Expedition Kirkwood HQ planned.
New Salomon Demo Center added.
The Meadows, one of Kirkwood’s oldest complexes gets remodeled. Includes brand new porte cochere.
Sentinels, Meadowstone Lodge construction completed increasing lodging bed base.

2005

High Speed Quad, “TC Express” replaces Chair 7, “Hole ‘n’ Wall” at Timber Creek.
Brick pizza oven at Bub’s, offering make your own pizza by the pie or slice.
Real Estate development at Timber Creek.
Burton Learn to Ride program and specially designed beginner equipment added to Timber Creek rental shop.
Phase II of KCA Recreation Center and New Red Cliff’s Clubhouse.

2006

Farewell to Timber Creek day lodge, 1976 – 2006.
Kirkwood announces new GM & COO, Chip Seamans.
Exterior of Bub’s Sports Bar is remodeled along with an added dining area.
New Burton Women’s Learn to Ride Center .
New facilities at Timber Creek provide quicker access for rental and ski school customers.
Construction begins on Sentinels West and Thunder Mountain Lodge in the Timber Creek area.
New terrain for Expedition: Kirkwood operations.
Kirkwood Real Estate changes name to Kirkwood Mountain Realty and welcomes Tim Cohee as President.

2007

Promotes Dave Meyers to Vice President of Mountain Operations.
Kirkwood enhances new terrain park features at Timber Creek and develops skier/boarder X course.
Develops new online carpool forum creating incentive for guests to carpool.
Resort introduces new marketing campaign and log ‘Rare Earth’.
New Burton Learn to Ride Pow Programs.
Breaks ground on Expedition Lodge.
Resort graces the cover of SKI Magazine, October 2007.

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