Saddlebag and TPR...now one owner, but...

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markskor
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Saddlebag and TPR...now one owner, but...

Post by markskor »

From Tioga Pass Resort...
20 hours ago
"Hey everyone. Well...we lied. We promised a summer of regular progress updates and then mostly stayed quiet. Honestly, it's a bit unsettling to see the lodge (especially) gutted out as it is now. It's sort of like watching a loved one undergo surgery.

It was a tough summer. A lot got done, but not nearly enough to allow TPR to run in 2019. Instead, the repair/restoration/improvement work will continue next summer while the resort remains closed. It's critical that we make the most of the situation at hand towards the goal of setting the resort up to keep hosting guests for another 100 years.

Now for a big announcement: We've recently acquired nearby Saddlebag Lake Resort inclusive of its very popular water taxi operation. As many may know, SLR was once a "sister resort" to TPR. TPR and SLR are distinct settings which compliment each other well, and we hope to foster a certain synergy between them in the coming years. Meanwhile, the plan is to run the water taxi and possibly a minimal food & beverage operation at SLR next year while the primary focus remains on the TPR project.

That's it for now. You can expect more frequent engagement here in the coming months. There's some change blowin' in the wind up in the pass. We'll share some of those plans with you as things progress.

Thanks as always for the your enthusiasm and support."

TD
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gary c.
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Re: Saddlebag and TPR...now one owner, but...

Post by gary c. »

It's just nice to hear that they are going to keep operating.
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el marinero
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Re: Saddlebag and TPR...now one owner, but...

Post by el marinero »

The message below was posted on the Saddlebag Lake Resort's webpage on May 8th. It is the most recent news I could find about SLR and the water taxi:

Hi everyone,

As many know, the ownership of Tioga Pass Resort (TPR) purchased Saddlebag Lake Resort (SLR) late last year. The resorts have a shared history dating back to the mid-1900's when SLR was built by the then owners of TPR.
Both resorts were heavily snow-damaged in 2017. After such an event, of course, follows insurance claims and historical scoping and all the rest you might expect. It can be slow going, especially in the face of limited seasonal access.
2019 operational plans for SLR, if there are to be any, remain unclear. Our location makes for a tight operating season even under optimal circumstances and the large winter we're coming out of will delay access, after which there will be much to sort out.
We understand that the water taxi service is a popular and important amenity of the area. We intend to make restoring taxi operations, even if on a limited basis, our first priority.
SLR has great potential for both nearer and longer term improvements, but also poses some unique challenges. Please check back here for operations updates and general developments.
Thank to all for the patience and support.


Reading between the lines, I think it says "Probably no water taxi in 2019". In my mind that's not so bad. It adds an extra 40 minutes to the hike in, and probably means fewer crowds.
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