• Arizona Snowbowl and Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort are being bought by an investor who owns a New Mexico ski resort.
• The investor and his backers are expected to add new amenities to the mountains.
• The deals are expected to close before the ski season begins.

A Colorado investor who owns Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort outside of Taos, N.M. announced this week he is buying Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff and Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort in southwest Colorado, with plans to add lifts and other amenities to both ski areas.

James Coleman, a Durango, Colo., resident who has real-estate investments in Tucson, is leading a group of investors in the purchases. Coleman has offices in Colorado, Phoenix and Austin.

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“He is very familiar with Arizona and has skied Snowbowl,” said Stacey Glaser, director of ski area marketing for Sipapu. “His interest is not limited to where he lives. He really has a Southwest focus.”

The deals are expected to close before the resorts open for skiing and snowboarding in November. The prices for the private sales are not being disclosed.

For 22 years, Snowbowl has been owned by investors lead by Eric Borowsky of Scottsdale, who purchased the resort for about $4 million in 1992.

Snowbowl is preparing to hire 500 or more winter workers, and the core group of 50 year-round employees is expected to remain with the sale, officials said.

Coleman and his investment partners are expected to bring in capital to add a new, high-speed, four-person ski lift that has already been approved at Snowbowl, said Jason Stratton, director of sales and marketing for the Flagstaff resort.

“Where we see the most excitement is to see Mr. Coleman come in with new energy and a new passion to see those pre-approved improvements become a reality,” Stratton said. “It is certainly a need at Snowbowl.”

The new lift tentatively is planned between the Sunset and Agassiz lifts at the resort. Officials also are considering another lift at the resort further in the future.

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Snowbowl also is contemplating upgrades to the mountain lodges and their restaurants, as well as another lift, though the location and scope of that work is yet to be determined, he said.

Coleman’s purchase also includes the Ski Lift Lodge and Cabins and adjoining restaurant at the lower elevation of Snowbowl at the turnoff on Highway 180.

Coleman has been managing partner at Sipapu for 15 years. His commercial real-estate and private-equity investments have turned increasingly toward ski areas this year. This month, his group took over operations at another New Mexico resort, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area outside of Santa Fe.

“Skiing is my first priority and, like many of our guests, I’m always eager to get the winter season started,” Coleman said in a prepared statement. “I’m committed not only to opening these mountains (Snowbowl and Purgatory) early but also creating an exceptional experience for skiers and snowboarders — be it local or destination resort guests — while making each of these ski areas the most family-friendly, family-fun resorts in the Southwest and the best value in the nation.”

Combined, the four mountains include 3,088 acres of terrain, 26 lifts and more than 200 trails.

The deal will improve the intermountain deals offered for season pass holders. People who purchase season lift tickets to Snowbowl will continue to get half off lift tickets at Purgatory, and instead of the three free tickets at Sipapu, will get unlimited access to Sipapu and Pajarito, Stratton said.

During his time running Sipapu, Coleman has doubled the skiable terrain and quadrupled the number of visitors. He also has relied heavily on snow making to increase the ski season, which has also been a focus at Snowbowl.

After a decade of legal battles, protests and even activists blocking construction equipment, Snowbowl in 2012 began making artificial snow with reclaimed wastewater piped up the mountain from Flagstaff.

While some environmentalists and Native American Indians who consider the San Francisco Peaks sacred continue to criticize the use of the wastewater, businesses that benefit from winter tourism largely cheered the development.

Coleman also will be looking at expansions, including new lifts and replacing older lifts, at Purgatory, said Kim Oiler, director of communications for that resort.

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Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort is a popular winter destination for Arizonans looking for larger mountains outside the state because of its relatively short drive at 450 miles, or about 7 hours, from Phoenix.

“Mr. Coleman has expressed interest in expediting the projects in our mountain master plan,” Oiler said. “That includes adding terrain and making lift improvements and overall enhancing the ski and snowboarding experience.”

Deals

Arizona Snowbowl is selling season passes for $750 and $600 for students, but will offer discounts of $150 for adult passes and $50 off student passes at four weekend events. They include the Alpine Boardsports Tent Sale in Scottsdale Oct. 31-Nov. 2; the Altitudes Bar and Grill gear swap in Flagstaff Nov. 8; the Warren Miller movie premier at the Orpheum Theater in Flagstaff Nov. 15; and at the Avalanche Sale at the Phoenix Convention Center Nov. 22-23.

Opening dates

Following are projected opening dates for the ski resorts owned and/or operated by investor James Coleman’s group.

Arizona Snowbowl and Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort: Friday, Nov. 28

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort: Saturday, Nov. 15.

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area: Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving).

Sources: Arizona Snowbowl/Sipapu

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