Buy a Canadian ski resort for $1 (Yes, there is a catch!)

Earlier this week Line Beauchamp, Quebec’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, and Parks announced a plan to sell the Mount Orford ski and golf resort, including all buildings, chairlifts and operating equipment, for just $1. But of course, like all deals that seem too good to be true, prospective buyers need to read the fine print before writing their checks.

The resort has been managed and operated by the Quebec Government for some time, and has continually run in the red. In fact, the resort has averaged a loss of $2 million a year, in part because the government was unable to use taxpayer money to promote Mount Orford. As a result, the bare minimum of funds were pumped into the operations, just to keep it up and running.

So what’s the catch on this $1 deal of the century? Who ever ends up buying the resort has to agree to keep it running for at least five years, and lay down a $4 million deposit to cover that claim. Bids are being taken through May 28th, at which time if there are no buyers, the resort will be shut down and all on-site facilities will be dismantled.

Anyone want to pool our cash together to purchase the resort? I can cover that first dollar!

Unlimited golf at Samoset Resort in Maine

At the Samoset Resort in Maine, you can play as much golf as you want. The new program offered by the resort offers unlimited use of its 18-hole golf course. If you get tired of watching hooks and slices, keep in mind that seven of the holes are ocean-side, and 14 offer great views of the shore. At $299 a night, you’ll pick up a savings of more than $100 a night. In addition to the unlimited golf, the package includes breakfast for two, use of a golf cart for two people as they hit the links as much or as little as they choose and a golf-related gift from the pro shop.

The Samoset Resort is located between Rockland and Camden, offering easy access to the restaurants and sights of the former and the rural bliss of the latter. To take advantage of this deal, you’ll need to grab your bags and hit the road by October 31, 2009 (and use the code GCGOLF).