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Deal reached to bring another life to Telemark Resort

Posted by Tom Held of the Journal Sentinel on June 17, 2011

Telemark, American Birkebeiner

The sale of the Telemark Resort to a group planning to renovate and operate the historic home of the American Birkebeiner was finalized on Friday, principals in the deal confirmed.

Shuttered for much of the past year, the lodge reopened early this month as a training home for the Central Cross-Country Ski Association and guests visiting the area near the Chequamegon National Forest.

Negotiations to finalize the stalled sale continued amid the remodeling.

Telemark Properties LLC, led by Cedar Lake Speedway owner Steve Kaufman, purchased the lodge and surrounding land from the Telemark Interval Owners Association, which had owned it since 1999.

Dick Short, a developer from Springfield, Mo., retains the mortgage on Telemark and will play a key role as the financier.

Short had been in control of the property since September, when the interval owners association voted to surrender Telemark through a voluntary foreclosure.

“I think it’s going to be very positive,” Short said of the deal.

A reopened Telemark will provide dozens of jobs in the Cable and Hayward area and serve as the home base for the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival and the American Birkebeiner ski races, which draw thousands of outdoor enthusiasts.

“For the CFTF, having the uncertainty of the Telemark sale transaction behind us, I can now move forward with notifications for our participants, sponsors and staff,” said Gary Crandall, the founder and director of the Fat Tire race. “This announcement enables us to fully focus on doing what we have done best, that is hold the event at Telemark on their spectacular grounds, using traditional trails and enjoying their hospitality.”

First opened in 1947 by World War II veteran Tony Wise, Telemark’s fortunes have been as up and down as the hilly terrain that surrounds the 200-room lodge. After building a Midwest ski destination and creating the Birkebeiner, Wise lost the property through bankruptcy in 1984.

Telemark went through a second bankruptcy in 1998, then closed again 2010, when the interval owners group could no longer keep up on its mortgage payments.

The sale and partnership with CXC brings a new start.

“In one sense, Telemark Partners LLC have finally reached the finish line in their sale negotiations for the acquisition of Telemark Lodge and a thousand acres of recreational forest land,” Crandall said. “At the same time that finish line was achieved, they are out of the blocks on their next race to regain Telemark's place in the area's hospitality offerings.”

9 Comments for "Deal reached to bring another life to Telemark Resort "

  1. Really? Are you sure Mr. Short doesn't prefer to go by Richard???

    WIjetsetter Jun 17, 2011 2:58 PM

  2. Having CXC headquartered at Telemark should be a win-win for both CXC and Telemark. Hosting CXC camps should provide a boost to Telemark's occupancy rate. With all of the ski teams (middle school, high school, college, club, masters, USSA?, etc.) that could potentially stay at Telemark, this could be a significant source of revenue. Likewise, the hotel could provide part-time jobs for CXC elite athletes as they pursue their ski dreams. I sincerely hope that this turns out to be a successful venture. Good luck to all involved!

    skithebirkie Jun 17, 2011 3:16 PM

  3. "Tellyworld lives!"

    LGBTime Jun 17, 2011 3:40 PM

  4. WIjetsetter - The first time I interviewed Mr. Short, I asked which variation of his name he preferred for the story. His reply - Dick is fine.

    T. Held Jun 17, 2011 5:33 PM

  5. Thanks for staying on top of this story Tom. After last years freeze out, the prospect of attempting to start the Birkie WITHOUT the nice warm cozy confines of Telemark Lodge to hide out in until my wave started was not a pleasant thought. I sure hope this works out. This could be such a wonderful facility.

    linkslvr Jun 18, 2011 4:48 AM

  6. Wait for it ---- Scott Walker takes credit

    borntolose Jun 18, 2011 9:16 AM

  7. Wait for it ---- Scott Walker takes credit for this.

    borntolose Jun 18, 2011 9:18 AM

  8. CXC hosted already 3 camps at Telemark since May. Last week we had
    over 40 athletes and 10 coaches during training camp at Telemark. Other
    teams are joining our training camps already and there will be many
    more. It's the best set-up for training, recovery and recreation! Several of
    our athletes already work part time at Telemark. Support our vision by
    coming to stay at this incredible place!

    cxcskiing Jun 21, 2011 8:23 AM

  9. Anyone trying to start/build/continue a business in this God awful financial climate has a huge challenge on their hands. When the business is a full-scale lodge in the middle of nowhere, it's all that much harder. I most certainly hope they can make it go. I've flown in there. I've stayed there. I've attended conventions there. Still, there is a reason for the history of bankruptcy and the uphill struggle that those who have tried it in the past have encountered. I really do wish everyone involved all the best. It's just going to be really, really hard to even pull it off for a while, not to mention keep it going for years to come. I hope they can do it.

    Ddave Jul 27, 2011 2:30 PM

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