SAM Magazine—Reno, Nev., Jan. 27, 2016—After 45 years as majority owner, Fritz Buser, 95, has decided it's time to sell Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and retire.

Marketing director Mike Pierce said resort staff was informed of Buser's intention to put the property up for sale early last week before a statement was released on Saturday.

“From a business perspective, the timing is right with the 2014-15 season proving highly successful despite enduring the leanest snow season in the history of the mountain,” the statement said. “In addition, the 2015-16 winter is currently on track to be one of the strongest in the last 10 years and prove exactly what the resort is capable of achieving in a typical or above average snow year.”

Over the last 15 years, Buser oversaw millions of dollars in capital improvements to the resort, including adding the Winters Creek Lodge, installing two high-speed six-passenger lifts, and expanding terrain to include the challenging Chutes runs.

Mt. Rose includes about 1,200 skiable acres, with a mix of private property and land leased from the U.S. Forest Service. Future projects are still in the works including the goal of expanding the resort into terrain across Highway 431. The land is private property that could be zoned for commercial use with the ability to develop real estate, potentially making the Reno-area resort more attractive on the market.

Details about the listing have yet to be released, but day-to-day operations will continue as usual.

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