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Woodward/POWDR Ownership & Corporate Structure

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mikemac
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 3,710
I've been wondering the past few years... what exactly is the deal with Woodward/POWDR?

Woodward is a part of POWDR.... is every "Woodward @ BlankPark" a POWDR owned resort? or is POWDR also doing partnerships with resorts owned by other groups?



For example, Woodward PC is obviously an entirely POWDR owned and operated resort (I think?) but what about places like Copper, Bachelor, Killington or Boreal? Does POWDR own and operate the entire resort, or have they sold the resort their "Woodward Package" for park maintenance and training facilities?

Wondering where we might see the next Woodward Park.... could any resort bring Woodward on board? Or does it have to be a POWDR resort.

Curious to hear from anyone who has worked for POWDR or Woodward in any capacity.

Are they a good company to work for?

Have the outcomes been generally good for the resorts, communities, and employees?

I feel like we hear so much hate for Vail Resorts and other big mega brands, but haven't heard anything negative about POWDR. Saw on their website the founder was a mountain guide... which lends itself towards good vibes I would presume.

Whether you've been a digger, coach, mountain ops, or admin/management I'm super curious how Woodward works and how it ties in to the larger POWDR structure.

Thanks for any info, hot takes, glowing praise, or vengeful rants. Lmk fam!
Nov 21 2022 3:57PM
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cyphers
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 18,641
woodward is its own thing. started as a skate camp/park in PA then moved into other action sports as well. their first wintersports camp was at copper mountain which is owned by powdr.

after woodward copper took off powdr started working with them to add the woodward brand to other mountains. and that's how they ended up with woodward at bachelor, woodward at eldora, etc. even though not all of them are true woodward "camps" like the original PA location

as for powdr themselves they put a healthy emphasis on freeskiing at their mountains which is cool. unfortunately they're dealing with the same capacity issues as everyone else and some of their solutions (like fast pass) haven't been popular to say the least. but my perception is that they're trying a lot harder than vail/alterra to balance revenue with skier experience
Nov 21 2022 4:59PM
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mikemac
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 3,710
cypherswoodward is its own thing. started as a skate camp/park in PA then moved into other action sports as well. their first wintersports camp was at copper mountain which is owned by powdr.

after woodward copper took off powdr started working with them to add the woodward brand to other mountains. and that's how they ended up with woodward at bachelor, woodward at eldora, etc. even though not all of them are true woodward "camps" like the original PA location

as for powdr themselves they put a healthy emphasis on freeskiing at their mountains which is cool. unfortunately they're dealing with the same capacity issues as everyone else and some of their solutions (like fast pass) haven't been popular to say the least. but my perception is that they're trying a lot harder than vail/alterra to balance revenue with skier experience


thanks for the response! I knew it started as a skate/dirt camp... but I never knew how exactly it moved into the snowsports world.

I remember Copper & Tahoe sort've being the first but still no idea if Woodward/POWDR had bought the resorts or was just partnering with them to run the snowparks. Sounds like a combination of both?
Nov 21 2022 5:59PM
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cyphers
Posts: 1680 - Karma: 18,641
mikemacthanks for the response! I knew it started as a skate/dirt camp... but I never knew how exactly it moved into the snowsports world.

I remember Copper & Tahoe sort've being the first but still no idea if Woodward/POWDR had bought the resorts or was just partnering with them to run the snowparks. Sounds like a combination of both?


can’t really speak with any certainty on how involved woodward is with their parks outside of copper and PC. for the most part i think it’s just their brand that’s being applied to existing parks at powdr resorts. many of them are not woodward parks as much as they are powdr parks with woodward stickers on them. but someone with more insight would know better than me. @theabortionator ?
Nov 21 2022 6:07PM
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eheath
Posts: 61662 - Karma: 123,630
cypherswoodward is its own thing. started as a skate camp/park in PA then moved into other action sports as well. their first wintersports camp was at copper mountain which is owned by powdr.

after woodward copper took off powdr started working with them to add the woodward brand to other mountains. and that's how they ended up with woodward at bachelor, woodward at eldora, etc. even though not all of them are true woodward "camps" like the original PA location

as for powdr themselves they put a healthy emphasis on freeskiing at their mountains which is cool. unfortunately they're dealing with the same capacity issues as everyone else and some of their solutions (like fast pass) haven't been popular to say the least. but my perception is that they're trying a lot harder than vail/alterra to balance revenue with skier experience


just for reference, woodward was bought by powdr corp in 2011
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2011/07/11/Facilities/Camp-Woodward.aspx
Nov 21 2022 6:17PM
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jakeordie
Posts: 664 - Karma: 3,277
Woodward was originally a summer camp for gymnasts, and they expanded into bmx and skate. Powdr is a ski resort management company, and they bought Woodward to bring more 4-season business their way.

Powdr used to manage PCMR and the Woodward was gonna be built at the base, so the PC one is kinda unique. It's built close to a big population, and the crowd takes the atmosphere in the building up.

They just announced Woodward Sydney, which is different 'cos it's in a retail complex nowhere near a ski resort. I think they have one in a Mexican resort town too, not sure how they gonna work 'cos the point of Woodward is to learn skills inside the building and then take them outside in the real world.
Nov 21 2022 6:32PM
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Static
Posts: 8565 - Karma: 4,105
knowing they are all owned by a mega corp instead of each location being franchises or brand leases makes it kinda whack your pass doesn't work at all the locations
Nov 21 2022 6:36PM
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mikemac
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 3,710
eheathjust for reference, woodward was bought by powdr corp in 2011
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2011/07/11/Facilities/Camp-Woodward.aspx


Thank you @eheath ….. this is the kind of legit source I’ve been looking for.

also noticed the bottom of this article describes their relationship with Boreal as more of a partnership….. basically just branded features & the camp at the base? Boreal is still an independent resort?
Nov 21 2022 9:29PM
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mikemac
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 3,710
jakeordieWoodward was originally a summer camp for gymnasts, and they expanded into bmx and skate. Powdr is a ski resort management company, and they bought Woodward to bring more 4-season business their way.

Powdr used to manage PCMR and the Woodward was gonna be built at the base, so the PC one is kinda unique. It's built close to a big population, and the crowd takes the atmosphere in the building up.

They just announced Woodward Sydney, which is different 'cos it's in a retail complex nowhere near a ski resort. I think they have one in a Mexican resort town too, not sure how they gonna work 'cos the point of Woodward is to learn skills inside the building and then take them outside in the real world.


Maybe the Mexico & Sydney ones are more surf & skate & dirt focused like the original camps? Hard saying not knowing.

Also the whole land lease dispute that allowed Vail to buy PCMR is actually HILARIOUS…. somebody at POWDR forgot to re-up their lease, and they lost the whole resort. Wild.
Nov 22 2022 10:19AM
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mikemac
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 3,710
Staticknowing they are all owned by a mega corp instead of each location being franchises or brand leases makes it kinda whack your pass doesn't work at all the locations


Honestly surprising that they don’t given the way the industry is going…. Does the season pass include the indoor training facilities or is that a separate day rate?
Nov 22 2022 10:20AM
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jakeordie
Posts: 664 - Karma: 3,277
mikemacthe whole land lease dispute that allowed Vail to buy PCMR is actually HILARIOUS…. somebody at POWDR forgot to re-up their lease, and they lost the whole resort. Wild.

Yeah first time I heard the story I assumed it was damage control, like tryna save face with the local community.....but the more I've tried to deal with the company, the more confident I am it's exactly what happened.
Nov 22 2022 12:33PM
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