MAZEPPA — Ever consider owning your own ski resort, even without any snow on the ground?
There's an opportunity to do just that in Wabasha County with the recent real estate listing for the former Steeplechase Ski Area.
Todd Dexheimer of the Twin Cities-based Land Experts recently listed the 172-acre property with an 8,000-square-foot ski lodge for $999,900. The listing is attracting a lot attention locally.
"A lot of people are interested in it like it for the dream idea of it, of owning a ski hill," said Dexheimer. "It's an amazing opportunity for the right person."
One of the companies that Dexheimer works with purchased the property in April 2014.
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"It was something that needed to be done. It is such a good property that was just sitting there decaying," he said.
Since then, Dexheimer's team has been making minor repairs to roofs, siding and painting the once-popular resort. The listing in November surprised some people, because the asking price is lower than many would have expected for such a property.
"It's a very reasonable price. People ask why it is listed so low. It's because it hasn't been run as a business since 2007," he said.
The Kastler family of Mazeppa created the resort with its ski lodge partially made from an old church. That's where the steeple in the "Steeplechase" came from. It operated from about 2000 to 2007.
While it is known as a ski hill, Dexheimer said the property could be adapted to a wide variety of uses. The lack of snow this winter is not helping sell a ski resort, he said. However, it has also been used for mountain biking as well as camping and events like weddings.
"We also talked with one of the top viticulturists in the Midwest, specializing in cold weather grapes. The southern exposure and soil types are very conducive for wine making. Perfect spot for an apple orchard and quaint winery," according to the real estate listing.
And then there is the hunting.
"The deer hunting is off the charts. Steeplechase served as the local deer sanctuary for many years. When they receive pressure from surrounding hunters, they end up at Steeplechase. There has been no gun hunting on the property for 25 years," stated Dexheimer in the listing.
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Right now the long-quiet property just offers potential, since no buyers have yet backed up their dreams with an actual purchase offer. Dexheimer expects that could change soon.
"We some very interested parties," he said. "And a lot of dreamers."
