Breckenridge Grand Vacations: Peaking Again

The rich history of Breckenridge can be documented through a number of milestones, and Breckenridge Grand Vacations has played a key role in much of the area’s success. It was during the Colorado Gold Rush of the 1860s that fortune-seekers found their way to the area, leaving behind a rich and colorful history. Less than 100 years after the discovery of “Tom’s Baby,” a 13 lb. 7 oz. nugget of gold, Peak 8 opened with seven runs, a double chair and a beginner T-bar. Ten years later, Peak 9 opened, and “Breck” was officially on skiers’ radar as a world-class destination.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV), the timeshare resort development company founded about 25 years ago by brothers Mike and Rob Millisor, is again growing.

Rob Millisor was raised in Akron, Ohio, with his older brother Mike. Michael C. Millisor is also the owner and developer of Breckenridge Grand Vacations. Mike has been in the vacation ownership industry since 1984, when he began selling Gold Point Condominiums as timeshare properties.

After Rob graduated from Wittenberg College with a B.A. in history, Rob intended to become a secondary school teacher and sports coach, but decided to spend a year in Breckenridge in 1986 before beginning his teaching career. When Rob joined Mike in the development and sales of their first resort, Gold Point, Breckenridge Grand Vacations was a small company with eight employees. In 1998, they began the development and sales of Grand Timber Lodge, and the company expanded to 150 employees in the first year. After the successful $300 million sell-out of Grand Timber in 2008, the company commenced sales of its third resort, Grand Lodge on Peak 7. The company has grown to over 380 employees and over 17,000 timeshare owners.

Along with Mike Dudick, who owned a publishing business in Breckenridge for a decade, the Millisors developed Gold Point Resort in the 1980s and then Grand Timber Lodge from 1998 to 2006. The latter generated over $30 million annually in traditional timeshare sales before its sellout.

The 114-unit Grand Lodge on Peak 7 is currently in active sales of about $60 million per year, and scheduled for sell out at the end of 2014. Both properties have won multiple ARDA awards, including the ACE Project of Excellence in 2012. Approximately 400 BGV employees serve more than 18,000 owners at their existing properties.

A sensational new opportunity for BGV will occur in the coming months as construction begins and the company seeks a few select sales professionals to sell at its fourth Breckenridge resort, the 75-unit high-end Grand Colorado.

The weather in this mountain community is as varied as the terrain. There is an average of 300 days of sunshine and as much as 300 inches of snow each year. Summer is a great time for cycling and hiking with warm, sunny days and an occasional short afternoon rain shower with cool nights. Other popular tourist (and local) favorite activities range from horseback riding to whitewater rafting. Families love the gold mine tours and train rides, kayaking and ATV tours. Avid fly fishermen can find plenty of good spots, and the region abounds in a plethora of spas and wellness centers. No wonder the region is so popular!

The winter brings lots of snow of course, but when it’s not coming down it’s usually sunny. At 9,600 feet, there is always a new adventure, from gliding down a mountain in fresh powder to steering a snowmobile above the tree-line, guiding a team of dogs through the forest or bundling up in a horsedrawn sleigh.

To enhance the visitor experience, the new resort on Peak 8 will boast a complete array of amenities and activities into its ideal location. “What separates us from other timeshare Breckenridge Grand Vacations: Peaking Again By Georgi Bohrod, RRPPerspective Magazine North America July/August 2013 development companies is we spend 40 percent more on the product,” said Rob Millisor, owner/developer. “Each resort we’ve built is an upgrade from the previous one. Our newest will mark our legacy is this industry.

“The Grand Colorado will be the pinnacle resort within this community. With only 75 residences, it will become the most exclusive fractional/timeshare resort to own. Once again, we have proudly affiliated with Interval International, the premier exchange network.”

The spectacular amenities include an indoor and outdoor aquatics area, outdoor fireplaces and grills, family fun center, multiple private theaters, a full-service day spa (open to the public) and also a public café. The resort is dedicating over 28,000 square feet to amenity space, and an additional 4,500 square feet to commercial space to support resort operations. The lodge will be integrated into the hillside with terraced amenity levels, both public and private. The project will have underground parking, as well as “beachfront” access to Peak 8.

“We are still in the design phase,” continues Rob Millisor. “We are going to a more modern feel. We are tagging it as ‘Modern Mountain Elegance.’ We plan to use the highest quality finishes and appointments. We plan on hiring one of the finest design firms to bring our vision to life.”

According to Dave Stroeve, vice president of sales operations for BGV, “Rob and Mike Millisor, along with their partner, Mike Dudick, have a great vision for our community. I’ve lived here for nearly 15 years, and can attest to the care these guys have taken to benefit the environment and provide jobs in the area, as well as create an incredible vacation environment for owners, guests and exchangers. They view their success on three core levels: community, owners and guests. They have a philosophy to never say no to a local not-for-profit organization, and within our company, success is measured by guest satisfaction scores, not monthly revenue. This is a great place to work and to live—not to mention vacation.
“I’ve been coming to Breckenridge since the early 80s, and I’ve always loved it here. Being able to share that enthusiasm with our sales team, and in turn having them share it with interested buyers and existing owners, has been nothing short of spectacular.

“Our product is traditional timeshare with fixed and floating weeks with points-based overlays. I am proud to say that we have created an environment that breeds success by collaborating as a team, helping to sell at a higher proficiency.”

He adds, “We don’t micro-manage, but build strong relationships with our staff, and support them to achieve their highest potential level of success. We know that success comes when someone is really balanced throughout their life and remains healthy and active. Our phenomenal environment and very active outdoor community ensures that this is highly achievable for our team.”

At BGV, more than 55 percent of its $60 million in annual revenue comes from existing owners purchasing again. Many on the sales team have been there for over 10 years. Another major attraction is the opportunity to live in the high Rockies with a skiing lifestyle and four seasons, ideal for families and avid outdoor enthusiasts.

Breckenridge’s Grand Colorado is destined to score big. Breaking ground this summer and already in a recruiting mode, the company is openly engaging conversations with a few good people who fit the BGV mold and are ready to make a lifestyle change with an exciting, award-winning company.

For more information about BGV employment opportunities, contact John Liner at jliner@grandlodgeonpeak7.com.