SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., Sept. 23, 2016—The investment group led by James Coleman has acquired Hesperus Ski Area, a small, family-oriented hill located 11 miles outside of Coleman's hometown of Durango. Hesperus is the fifth ski area in the group's portfolio, which also includes Purgatory Resort, Colo., Arizona Snowbowl, Ariz., Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, N.M., and Pajarito Mountain, N.M.

The acquisition includes Hesperus Ski Area's lodge, rental shop, and tubing hill, in addition to its 160-acre lease. The ski area has 26 trails, one double chairlift, and 700 feet of vertical from its 8,880-foot summit. It is only open for night skiing midweek, plus 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and holidays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

According to a statement, Coleman intends to maintain Hesperus as an affordable, family-friendly ski area. “One of our top priorities is to make skiing more accessible and affordable to families. Bringing Hesperus into our family of resorts is a win for everyone, including the community, its employees, and the Four Corners Region,” said Coleman. Community ties are already strong: Hesperus enlists a volunteer ski patrol, and its ski and ride school offers an after-school learn-to-ski and -snowboard program for kids.

“We want to maintain the unassuming small ski area ambience while enhancing the overall skier experience in the future,” he added. To that end, Coleman plans to operate Hesperus through the 2016-17 season and then, after talking with employees and guests, evaluate what future improvements should be made.

Coleman's group is taking over Hesperus from Jim Pitcher, who has held a lease agreement with the private landowner, S. & I. Scott & Co., since 1988. Pitcher said he is confident that Coleman and his team will make the necessary improvements to bring the ski area to “the next level.”

Hesperus will be included on the Coleman resort group's Power Pass, and passholders will have unlimited access to the area.

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