DIXVILLE — Sometimes, seeing something makes it easier to understand and in the case of the Balsams Resort development proposals, it’s the best way.

The Coos County Planning Board held a publicly advertised or posted meeting at the Balsams property on Sept. 18, on a late afternoon that was neither too warm nor cool to see the historic site, existing buildings and golf course.

Ski resort entrepreneur and developer Les Otten led the tour, his dog Maxine tagging along with about 20 people viewing the grounds and buildings.

The meeting began with Ed Brisson of Otten’s business team explaining via maps the resort plans for redevelopment, which began 10 years ago. Existing buildings on the Balsams grounds were discussed. The Dix House will be demolished and reconstructed. The Hampshire House will be redone and restored. Visitors will stay in a new hotel, the Lake Gloriette House.

Ski expert Rich McGarry described the skiing experiences that will be a part of the Balsams revival. Three new chair lifts are part of Phase 1, allowing skiers and slope enthusiasts to enjoy the snow-covered ride.

At one point during the tour of the Balsams’ grounds, Otten, former CEO of the American Skiing Company, stopped to fill in some of the development background.

“No one has attempted to start anything from scratch,” Otten said, answering his own question of why it is taking so long to redevelop the Balsams ski resort.

He referenced the time it took for other New Hampshire ski resorts to expand from existing operations.

“It took about 15 years for Loon Mountain to expand the southern slope,” said Otten of the Lincoln-based resort.

“We’ve had some stops and starts…we feel like we’re on a pretty good path now. Our efforts are continuing to get forward to that point,” he said.

There are 10 employees on the payroll of his company, each working with Otten in different roles, whether it be marketing, ski trail planning or culinary objectives.

“I’m ever optimistic. We have a plan. It’s not a concept plan, it’s a real plan and we’re intent on executing it,” Otten said.

The tour included the historic clubhouse or building at the Panorama Golf Club and the vast views from that peak, which tour takers accessed by getting back into their vehicles and ascending the paved, densely tree-lined road. The 18-hole golf club is located in Colebrook. From the main gathering room on the clubhouse’s first level, visitors on Sept. 18 walked out to the fenced, wrap-around porch. From one side of the porch or outdoor patio, the site of proposed ski lifts and trails was pointed out. The valley on this side, with fall leaf colors of red, umber and gold visible, also was noted. Above this area, the giant blades of seven white windmills turned.

It is a complex project, as Otten explained. Permits needed to be extended; several months ago, Brisson came back to the Coos County Planning Board to explain why. Permits from the state have been a part of the project details. Otten said his team has been working with five separate state agencies and when necessary, the federal government.

“Everybody has been going out of their way to make things match and coordinate,” he said.

As Coos County Treasurer Suzanne Collins noted in minutes after the meeting: “For the short term, they (Otten’s team) have been in successful talks with the State of NH to withdraw water from the Mohawk River for enhanced snowmaking. In the future, the plan is to bring water from the Androscoggin River in Errol via pipeline along Route 26 with a related pump station.”

Plans for a revived Balsams currently include four different dining areas, ranging from casual to more elegant as in the resort’s past. A culinary school is a part of the plan.

Seventy-two to 73 percent of the hotel rooms at Lake Gloriette House will face Dixville Notch. Such accommodations can be purchased with a deed. No prices were mentioned during the tour. Some people have already purchased full ownership of their place to stay. Another option is to purchase fractional amounts and share the respective lodging with other folks. Like a homeowner’s association, a purchaser would pay his or her portion of the taxes and a fee.

Activities were discussed on the tour, with Otten pointing out where a Nordic-style sauna would be plus shopping at boutiques featuring locally and New England regionally sourced products and artisan quality crafts.

“It’s not all about skiing in the wintertime,” said Otten.