Thinking of building a lodge/rental place.

[Duddin]

So the wife and I have been kicking around the Idea of building a lodge/hotel type set-up. It would have a sled and atv rentals, horse riding and guides also thinking of doing hunting and fishing. There would be a restaurant possibly bed and breakfast type deal. We would do activities for the guests such as dance lessons and tubing or river rafting. Also thought about having separate cabins to rent out. We are looking at Alpine, WY or Island Park, ID areas.
What do ya'll think? Is there enough business to make it worth it? We both love doing that kind of stuff and are capable. Just not sure of the need for this kind of thing in these areas.
Thanks in advance.

 

[snopropanther]

damn to bad you werent looking elsewhere. my boss is trying to sell. lodge, resturant, trailer, 7 cabins, garage, shed, boats, junction to a sled trail, quad trails around, 6 months of winter, lots of deer hunting, bear hunting, moose and elk also. lodge is 9 or 10 years old and cabins are a bit older but fully modern. its not snow like the mountains but its usually the most in the southern half of the area.

 

[Duddin]

Where abouts? I'm kinda flexible.

 

[snopropanther]

central manitoba. its all bush, gravel road and lakes. ncie area but it all depends on the weather on how many are around.

 

[Sturgis Sledder]

Just remember that owing one of these places is 24/7, most of them are in remote locations so good (or any) help is TOUGH to find. Your riding will come to a screeching halt because the washer, dryer, maid, bartender, cook, heat, or . . . stopped working and the repair guy lives and works miles and miles away. You have to deal with every know-it-all in teh world that will tell you that your rental equipment is the wrong color, brand, crappy, worn out, wrecked or . . . Hmmmm that sounds like a fun way to make a living.

 

[Duddin]

Wow way to be optimistic. As for the repair guy thats me, maid thats my wife and I'll be able to hire my brother to help wherever else. Its possible that my wifes sister and her husband will go in on it with us so there is a lot of help there. I never said it would be an easy way to make a living but way better than the boss that treats me like sh!t and doesnt give me respect or pay what im worth because im not related to anyone important in the company.
rant over

 

[Blu Du]

your dreaming again arn't you.

 

[live2ride]

My feeling is IP is already full of lodging, may be hard to corner the market. I know of a lodge here in CO that would be the only one in the area that offers it all. Spruce Lodge/Alexander Lodge in the Grand Mesa CO. It would be awesome to have someone that caters to all of us!!! Also Meadowlark Lake Resort on the Big Horn Mtns could be for sale, another great area!!

 

[AZ800]

I know of a lodge here in CO that would be the only one in the area that offers it all. Spruce Lodge/Alexander Lodge in the Grand Mesa CO. It would be awesome to have someone that caters to all of us!!!

Yeah, look into this one. It's in a great area, not much competition up there and with some good advertising I think it could be a destination spot.

 

[Sturgis Sledder]

I wasn't trying to be an a-hole, just know that a lot of people get inot something and really don't have ALL of the info. I've spoken with quite a few lodge owners over the years and just wanted you to hear both sides.