White Pine finds buyer to keep ski resort open and invest in its future
by White Pine Resort
February 22, 2024
PINEDALE, WYOMING - The longtime majority owners of White Pine Ski Resort, Alan and Robyn Blackburn, announced that Joe Ricketts will purchase the historic ski operation in April, at the end of the 2024 Ski season. Ricketts has committed to invest in and improve the Sublette County Ski Resort following the tragic 2019 fire that destroyed the main lodge. Ricketts is in the process of working with the Forest Service to explore opportunities to extend future ski seasons through snow making. The White Pine Ski Resort is a 363-acre parcel that sits roughly 10 miles north of Pinedale, Wyoming, which despite its storied history, has been on the market since 2020, following the devastating fire.
"Owning White Pine has been an honor for my wife and me," said Alan Blackburn. "This mountain offers outstanding recreational opportunities for our community. Faced with the prospect of shutting down the resort, we looked for a buyer who is capable and committed to restoring the lodge, enhancing the mountain’s amenities to their full potential, and investing in the vibrant communities of Sublette County. We are confident that Joe is deeply dedicated to this cause.
Joe Ricketts has assembled a Board of Advisors to strategically guide the business, ensuring its success in both the short-term and long-term. The Board of Advisors includes Roy DeWitt as Chairman, Derek Schupp as President, Dave Jensen as Vice President, Brad White as Secretary, Ryan Persinger as Treasurer and Robin Schamber, Kari DeWitt, Adam D’Illard, Marie McGuire, Alan Blackburn, Steve Christensen, Travis McNiven and Joe Ricketts as Advisory Members. Joe Ricketts said, "I feel good about keeping White Pine in our community and look forward to the recreational expertise the Board of Advisors and Officers will contribute. Their guidance will be instrumental in managing the mountain effectively in both the immediate future and over the long term. My hope is to add improvements that will ensure White Pine remains a cherished destination for all of Sublette to enjoy for years to come."
The White Pine Ski & Summer Resort is one of the oldest ski areas in Wyoming and sits on Forest Service land in the Wind River Mountain Range. The resort has two lifts, nearly 30 runs with 1,100 hundred foot vertical, a tubing hill, rustic accommodations, and miles of Nordic trails for winter activity and summer hiking. White Pine has been a mainstay for local Sublette County residents for years and it has been voted the #1 Resort in Wyoming for beginner skiers.
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