Sapphire Valley Resort
2010 -2026

Today, the echoes of volatile period 1990s remain visible in the unique blend of privately owned homes and professionally managed vacation ownership units that define the modern Sapphire Valley Resort experience.

Sapphire Valley Resort 2010 -2026

Today, Sapphire Valley Resort has evolved into a premier 5,700-acre, four-season destination that masterfully balances its rugged history with modern, family-oriented luxury. Managed by the Sapphire Valley Master Association, the resort serves as a secluded sanctuary in the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a diverse array of year-round amenities. Winter enthusiasts flock to Ski Sapphire Valley, featuring a 1,600-foot main run, a dedicated learning slope, and the popular multi-lane Frozen Falls Tube Park. During warmer months, the focus shifts to the pristine 77-acre Lake Fairfield for canoeing and fishing, alongside unique recreational options like footgolf, a 12-line zipline canopy tour, and championship golf at the Sapphire National Golf Club. With its quaint community center, indoor and outdoor pools, and locally-owned restaurants like The Library Kitchen & Bar, the resort stands as a resident-supported community that prioritizes environmental stewardship and mountain hospitality.

Sapphire Valley Resort History

Logo ushered in my Sapphire Valley Master Association

SAPPHIRE VALLEY -
Modern Consolidation & Diverse Management 

During the early 21st century, Sapphire Valley experienced significant shifts in its management landscape, moving from a period of local consolidation to integration into major global hospitality networks.

The Era of Transition & Stability (2008–2012)

Amidst a shifting economy, SPM Resorts of Myrtle Beach took over management of the Foxhunt timeshare units. This move provided a vital anchor for the resort as larger corporations, such as Wyndham, began to scale back their regional presence—eventually downsizing to manage only the Mountain Laurel units. During this same window, Shell Vacation Resorts further bolstered the community’s profile by investing in 300 Foxhunt weeks and incorporating them into their global network.

Meanwhile, the Sapphire Valley Master Association (SVMA) solidified its role as the governing steward of the resort’s shared amenities. In early 2011, the SVMA broke ground on a new management headquarters, which also houses the Red Bird Pro Shop. This central hub officially opened during the 2011–2012 ski season, marking a new chapter in operational self-sufficiency for the property owners.

Acquisition & Brand Unification (2016–2018)

The resort landscape underwent further professionalization when Capital Vacations (formerly Capital Resorts) acquired SPM Resorts in June 2016. By 2018, these entities were fully integrated under the Capital Vacations banner. Today, Capital Vacations not only manages the Foxhunt units but also holds the vital service contract with the SVMA to oversee the resort's extensive shared amenities.

Global Integration (2018–Present)

In October 2018, Diamond Resorts expanded its footprint by acquiring the management and inventory for the Fairway Forest Resort area. This was followed by a landmark $1.4 billion acquisition of Diamond Resorts by Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) in August 2021. While these units now benefit from the HGV global network, they largely maintain the legacy branding and specialized management structures that have historically defined the Sapphire Valley experience.

Sapphire Valley Resort History

60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY!


The summer of 2014 marked exactly six decades since the Howerdd family laid the resort’s foundation. The celebration at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center was a community-wide tribute to this vision.

A Historical Retrospective: The Sapphire Valley Historical Society presented a landmark slideshow of newly digitized images. These included rare photographs of the original Fairfield Inn (razed in 1986) and the early days of Ski Sapphire Valley, which was introduced in 1964 by Gene Howerdd Jr. as the first commercial ski area in the region.

Community Figures: The event was a collaborative effort involving long-standing residents and representatives from the Sapphire Valley Master Association. It celebrated the transition from a family-run enterprise to a community-managed resort, honoring the Howerdd family’s "hands-on" leadership that defined the valley until the 1970s.

A Legacy of Constant Improvement

The hallmark of Sapphire Valley has always been its dedication to evolution, ensuring the resort remains a premier destination for modern travelers while preserving its rugged mountain charm. In recent years, the Sapphire Valley Master Association (SVMA) has spearheaded a series of capital improvements designed to enhance year-round recreation.

new lift at the Frozen Falls Tube Park

Winter Sports Enhancements: To bolster its reputation as a pioneer in Southern skiing, Ski Sapphire Valley underwent significant technical upgrades. These include the installation of a new lift at the Frozen Falls Tube Park and the implementation of a state-of-the-art automated snowmaking system, ensuring consistent conditions even in fluctuating temperatures.

Fairfield Lake

Waterfront & Trails: The historic Fairfield Lake—the heart of summer activity since the Howerdd era—saw a complete rebuilding of its beach facilities, offering improved access for swimming and boating. Nearby, the River Walk received a full renovation, restoring the scenic pathway that meanders alongside the Horsepasture River.

Pickleball courts

Modern Lifestyle Amenities: Responding to the growing interests of residents and guests, the resort introduced new Pickleball courts, quickly becoming a hub of social activity. Additionally, the community welcomed its first dedicated "Bark Parks," providing secure, off-leash areas for the resort’s four-legged visitors.

Sapphire Valley Resort Today

Today, Sapphire Valley stands as a vibrant, multi-generational community that successfully balances its mid-century heritage with 21st-century luxury. It is a thriving ecosystem composed of full-time residents, seasonal retirees, and vacationers who find common ground in the valley’s unique offerings.

Whether it is the modern comforts of the newly renovated Community Center or the timeless allure of million-year-old mountains and cascading waterfalls, the resort remains a sanctuary. The integration of local dining staples and world-class clubs ensures that while the management structures have evolved—from the Howerdd family to Capital Vacations and Hilton Grand Vacations—the spirit of the "Great Outdoors" remains the primary draw for all who visit. 

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