STEPHANIE JONES Lake Geneva News
Majestic Mountain, Lake Geneva’s former ski slope, is back on the market for $5.75 million.
In October 2020, Martin Murphy, a Chicago builder, purchased the 55 acres from the town of Linn where the Majestic Ski Hill once stood.
The Grunow family, who once managed the ski resort, transferred the parcel to Murphy in 2020, and at the time Murphy said future plans for the property were still under consideration and no final decision on future development has only been taken at this time. .
A year and a half later, possible development plans are still underway. But with property values skyrocketing, the Murphy family is also exploring the market to see what interest there is there, said Martin Murphy’s wife, Wendy Murphy, who is a real estate agent with estate properties. ‘april.
Although multiple family homes could fit on the property, Wendy Murphy said one family could buy the property and turn it into a family-friendly resort with 55 sprawling acres on Basswood Drive with sweeping lake views.
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“They could build tennis courts and a zipline and a pool or whatever they want,” Wendy Murphy said. “Imagine a fire pit at the top of the hill for the family to gather at sunset or for a fireworks display. While a boat on the lake would be great, many people only use it a few times a season. , but the view is taken every minute they are there.This property has the ultimate view and can entertain the family all year round.This is a one of a kind property with so much potential.
The former ski resort, located in the town of Linn, was first opened in 1957 by Bill Grunow Jr. and served as a favorite skiing location for many people throughout the Lake Geneva region until what the main ski lodge burned down in March 1988.
Prior to being a ski lodge, the lodge was a former chicken coop dating back to the Grunow family’s chicken business, Val-Lo-Will Chicken Farm.
But when it came time for the next generation, the family business grew from chickens to snow fun and later to maritime business and entertainment.
The hill featured grooming, snowmobiles, the “largest rental service in the Midwest” as well as “one of the best (ski) shops in the Midwest with the best ski apparel and accessories the world has to offer.”
In addition to the ski resort and clubhouse, the property offered a bar, concert hall, driving range and golf course.
The venue was known as the Majestic Bandstand, similar to Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand.” Headliners included Stevie Wonder, The Who, Chicago, the Monkees and the Beach Boys.
But that all came to an end after the 1988 fire. Uninsured, the loss of the lodge ended the era and left what remained of the resort empty, with the property largely untouched in recent years.
21 Photos and Videos from the Glory Days of Lake Geneva’s Majestic Hills Ski Resort
Watch Now: Majestic Hills Ski Resort Throwback
The tow rope
Skiers ascend a tow rope to the top of a hill in Majestic Hills in this undated photo.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
The grand opening
Throwback to an advertisement for the inauguration of Majestic Hills.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
A cover model
Here, Majestic Hills graced the cover of an American magazine from Chicago in 1957. On the cover, Melita Grunow, whose husband owned the hill. She was a frequent model in the Hill photos, her son Randy Grunow said.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
A look at the old pavilion at the back
Here skiers ascend a tow rope, in the background is the Majestic Hills Lodge before it was renovated. The lodge was built from old chicken coops as the property was the family’s former chicken farm.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
majestic hills
An old image advertising Majestic Hills in Lake Geneva.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
A-frames
Here, the Majestic Hills lodge is shown after the A-frames were added to give it character.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
do the hill
Here is an overview of the area that would later become the Majestic Hills ski resort. The family had to build the area to make it a ski resort.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
The hill
Another look at Majestic Hills.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
all that remains
All that’s left of the old Majestic Hills ski resort is an old fireplace that was in the chalet that burned down in 1988.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
High above the rest
While Majestic Hill was known more as a beginner’s hill, that didn’t stop people from doing more advanced moves and jumps. Here, in this mid-1980s photo, Randy Grunow, with his skis in the air, can be seen above a jump at Majestic Hill. Grunow was the owner’s second son. Behind him in the air is his friend Matt Crocke and below him is ski instructor John Zeigle.
Photos submitted, Grunow family collection
A look back
Majestic Hill Ski Resort is shown here with its A-shaped chalet in the background.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
the perch
The Roost Bar was on the upper level of the chalet.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
beginner’s hill
Skiers are featured on the beginners hill at Majestic Hill in the early years of the hill before the A-frame was added to the lodge.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
1957 story on Majestic Hills
1957 story about the opening of Majestic Hills
Image submitted, Grunow Family Collection
make snow
The 1957 story of the opening of Majestic Hills announced that people would not have to depend on natural snow as they are able to make 3 1/2 feet of packed snow each week, more than enough to cover the hill.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
The famous flag
In the background to the left, a large American flag can be seen. It would fly all year round.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
Ride the elevator
A helicopter had to intervene to help bring the four-person lift up the hill.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
The Majestic Hills trail map
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
house on the hill
For a number of years a house sat atop Majestic Mountain. It was then dismantled.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
majestic hills
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
The many skis
Melita Grunow stands by a row of skis in Majestic Hills. She and her husband were running up the hill.
Photo submitted, Grunow family collection
