Another Failed Sugarloaf Revival?

unused lift at Sugarloaf Resort (photo from abandonedbutnotforgotten.com)

compiled from several sources

It appears that yet another attempt to revive the Sugarloaf Ski Resort in Leelanau County, MI, has failed.

Most recently, Eneliko "Sean" Smith of Las Vegas has just bowed out of a proposed $10 million deal to refurbish the property and actually open some hotel rooms by mid-summer 2010. He also stated that he would have the resort ready for skiing by November.

Owner Kate Wickstrom wants a large sum of money upfront to pass the property to Smith, and Smith counters that this is unreasonable. Smith claims that he made more progress toward reviving the property than any previous purchaser. He reports that he was discussing a lease of the ski hills, had interest from hotel brands, and that the U.S. Tennis Association was interested in restoring the indoor courts. However, late this summer, Smith announced that he was pulling out of the project.

Everyone agrees that the amount of money that would be required to put the area back into operation is immense. The property has not been in service for ten years.

Locals still have hope. Several web sites support the concept, and there is a Facebook group "Friends of Sugar Loaf."

See Sugar Loaf Needs Tooth Fairy
See Smith Pulls Sugarloaf Bid
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