Snowy Range Won't Open Without A Buyer

The Snowy Range Ski Area, located in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest near Laramie, Wyo., won't open for the season unless the owners are able to sell the property to someone who will run it this winter. Owners Rick and Terri Colling are trying to sell the area after operating it for 16 years.

First National Bank, who is assisting in the sale, reports that three parties are considering purchasing the property. But time may be too short to close a deal for this winter's ski season.  

Dan Furphy, President of First National Bank, says the owners were underinsured when a fire burned down the lodge in 2003, and they have struggled to operate the area since then, even though the lodge has been rebuilt. "It will be sold," said Furphy. "There's no doubt about that. The question is just whether it will be sold in time to open this year."

Snowy Range has four chairlifts, a Magic Carpet, 27 runs, and sits at a base elevation of 9,000 feet. Its 1,000 feet of vertical covers 250 acres. The new lodge seats 850 people. Stay tuned as the winter season approaches.