What is New at Breakaway?

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in Mars Hill, North Carolina, is undergoing a significant transformation as it rebrands into Hatley Pointe Mountain Resort under new ownership. This change marks a new era for the popular ski destination, located just 30 miles outside of Asheville

In March 2023, Deborah and David Hatley of Johnson City, Tennessee, purchased the ski resort. The Hatleys, who also own Coffee Ridge Resort in Unicoi County, Tennessee, have ambitious plans to revitalize and enhance the resort. Their vision is to create a boutique mountain resort that offers exceptional experiences for visitors year-round.

The rebranding from Wolf Ridge to Hatley Pointe is more than just a name change. It signifies a comprehensive overhaul of the resort’s facilities and operations. The Hatleys aim to honor the legacy created by the previous owners, the English family, while introducing modern amenities and improvement. The transformation of Wolf Ridge Ski Resort into Hatley Pointe Boutique Ski Resort also marks a significant revitalization effort aimed at enhancing both the winter sports experience and year-round appeal of the Madison County, North Carolina region.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort, has long been a staple for local skiers, but it faced numerous operational challenges. Guests frequently complained about the deteriorating conditions and limited amenities. Recognizing the potential of the location, the Hatleys, who are experienced entrepreneurs but novice skiers, purchased the resort in March 2023 with a vision to transform it into a premier boutique destination.

One of the first major changes was renaming the resort to Hatley Pointe Boutique Ski Resort. This rebranding effort is part of a broader strategy to signal a new era for the resort, distancing it from past issues and aligning it with the Hatleys’ vision of quality and exclusivity.

One of the most significant upgrades is the complete renovation of the base lodge. The new owners are transforming it into an upscale facility that will house a full-service restaurant called Smoke & Timber. This renovation is designed to provide guests with a more luxurious and comfortable experience during their visits. The resort will also feature a VIP lounge for season pass holders.

The Hatleys have emphasized their commitment to maintaining the family-friendly atmosphere that Wolf Ridge was known for. They have retained key staff members, including General Manager Terry Spaulding and Facilities Manager Andy English, who bring valuable experience and continuity to the project. The new owners are also focused on enhancing the guest experience by leveraging their background in hospitality to provide superior service and amenities.

The Hatleys are investing heavily in infrastructure improvements. Key projects include the complete overhaul of the snowmaking system, with new pumps, pipelines, and automated snow guns to ensure consistent snow coverage throughout the season. Additionally, there are plans to revive dormant lifts, including a double and a quad chairlift, which will enhance access to beginner terrain.

Hatley Pointe boasts a peak elevation of 4,700 feet and offers a vertical drop of 700 feet. The resort features 15 runs ranging from beginner-friendly green trails to challenging black diamond slopes. Four lifts, including one double chair, one quad chair, and two magic carpet surface lifts, service these runs. The variety of terrain makes Hatley Pointe suitable for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.

Moreover, the Breakaway side of the mountain, including the main Breakaway ski run, and terrain park, is being revitalized. The resort’s transformation is not limited to winter sports. The Hatleys aim to develop Hatley Pointe into a year-round destination. Plans include the construction of a mountain bike park, and additional dining options. These additions are designed to attract visitors during the off-season, making the resort a viable destination throughout the year.

The transformation of Wolf Ridge into Hatley Pointe represents a significant investment in North Carolina’s ski industry. As the closest ski resort to Asheville, it plays a crucial role in the region’s winter sports offerings. The extensive renovations and planned improvements position Hatley Pointe to become a premier destination in the Southeast, potentially rivaling more established resorts in the area. As the Hatleys continue to work on the resort, ski enthusiasts and local communities eagerly anticipate the grand opening of Hatley Pointe later this year. When completed, this revitalized mountain resort promises to offer a unique, boutique experience that celebrates the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while providing modern amenities and exceptional service.

When it comes to resort-oriented, new urbanist, communities, the neighborhoods of Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach, Florida are the poster child’s of success. After all, the strip of road along the ocean, known as 30-A, in the panhandle of Florida is where new urbanism got its birth. And it has inspired a number of award-winning communities world-wide. In fact, Breakaway was originally conceived as a “Seaside in the mountains,” says Founder Steve Martin.

To get a feel for the planning and quality of construction that is required to build a world-class town, the Breakaway development and construction team spent a few days along 30-A this week. The group included Brandon Quinn, Steve Martin, Eric Seals, Mike Riffert, Bruce Anderson, and Dustin Sigler.

As a part of the visit, the group had an opportunity to meet with architects and builders, and see the high level of construction taking place in these communities. In addition, they met with the town architect of Rosemary Beach, as well as some of the initial realtors for the communities, to discuss their experiences when these neighborhoods were first getting their start.

The group took what they learned back to North Carolina, and are gearing up to move Breakaway forward into the future.

A new house is under construction at Breakaway. Eric Seals is building a carriage house on lot 65. The house represents the first new construction since since Breakaway Development Company took over the project.

Designed by Allison Ramsey, the carriage house is approximately 1200 square feet, and offers some of the best views from phase 1 of the development. A main house will be built on the lot at a later date.

A development group has entered into a contract to acquire the Breakaway traditional neighborhood development. Founded in 2005, Breakaway struggled to make significant progress following the financial crisis. However, after a number of years, the project is moving forward again.

Breakaway Development, L.L.C., which expects to purchase the project in early June, includes principals who have a long history of prior experience with the project. Brandon Quinn was one of Breakaway’s first builders. Eric Seals has also been involved with the project for many years, having purchased some of the community’s first lots. Finally, Steve Martin was the neighborhood’s initial developer and founder.

Quinn, Seals, and Martin have joined forces to bring the original vision for the community to fruition. “Eric, myself, and a small group of investors bought the project two years ago,” said Quinn. “Shortly after, the ski resort was purchased, and is being upgraded significantly. It is great to see the energy on the mountain again.”

The three have stated that they intend to move forward with the original plan for the project, and plan to adhere to the new urbanism design principles it was based on. “There is a lot of excitement surrounding finishing the project,” said Martin. “Breakaway was an excellent concept, with all of the pieces to be an amazing community. I have been disappointed for many years that it lost its way, during the financial crisis. I couldn’t be happier to come back to finish it.”

The first new house in a number of years is under construction at Breakaway. And the developer group expects to begin infrastructure construction this summer.