Heavenly Mountain Resort acquires property manager

There's nothing new for Vail Resorts in its acquisition of Accommodation Station, a property management firm that provides vacation home rentals in the South Lake Tahoe area.

In fact, the operator of Heavenly Mountain Resort has added property management operations in all of its Colorado mountain resort communities, and Heavenly was the exception.

Vail Resorts, which is headquartered at Broomfield, Colo., said last week it acquired Accommodation Station from Greta and Mike Hambsch. Terms weren't disclosed.

Accommodation Station, which has been in business since 1976, is the third largest property management firm in South Lake Tahoe.

Its portfolio includes condos, mountain chalets, cabins and luxury homes.

Paul Jeppson, vice president of Hospitality for Vail Resorts, said the acquisition of a property management service allows the resort operator to offer a seamless experience to visitors who want a mountainside-and-lodging package that includes a short- or long-term rental of a home or condominium.

And he said ownership of a property management unit allows Vail Resorts greater influence over the entire experience of guests at Heavenly.

Greta Hambsch, one of the sellers of Accommodation Station, said the additional marketing muscle provided by Vail Resorts is likely to ultimately benefit the homeowners who use the property management to rent their properties.

Vail Resorts said it expects to maintain the staff of Accommodation Station and will continue to headquarter the property management group at 2516 Lake Tahoe Blvd.