Mountain Capital Partners to Operate Willamette Pass Resort

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SAM Magazine—Durango, Colo., Oct. 4, 2022—Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) has entered a joint venture with the Wiper family to operate and manage Willamette Pass Resort, Ore. MCP 440x340 The partnership will begin immediately with Willamette Pass being added to MCP’s Power Pass family of season pass products, joining the nine other ski/ride and mountain bike properties the company operates in the southwestern United States.

“Over the last 22 years, we’ve focused on growing skiing in the Southwest region, but our
company's purpose, ‘give people the freedom to ski,’ knows no boundaries,” said MCP managing partner James Coleman. “Willamette Pass Resort's unique terrain, incredible snowfall, operations that often extend late into spring, and its authentic community of local PNW skiers and riders will be a perfect addition to our family of resorts.”

Willamette Pass was founded in 1941 and operates within the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests. It is known for steep terrain and ample snow, with an average annual snowfall of 430 inches. It has 555 skiable acres across 29 trails served by five lifts, and an additional 20 kilometers of cross-country skiing.

The Wiper family purchased and began operating Willamette Pass in 1982, with Tim Wiper at the helm. Tim Wiper will stay in his role along with the rest of the Willamette Pass Resort leadership team and all support staff.

“Tim is a pioneer, not just for Willamette Pass Resort, but for our entire industry,” Coleman said. “Willamette Pass Resort is a success today thanks to Tim’s vision and bold willingness to try new ideas no one else was doing. Our team is thrilled to partner with him and his entire team to bring even more successes to this great mountain community.”

“Mountain Capital Partners clearly shares our undeniable passion for this sport, and they are the right partner to not only lead Willamette Pass Resort into the future but also work together with us to carry on our remarkable legacy,” said Wiper.

MCP will be responsible for all future capital improvements at the resort. The company plans to evaluate needs in the coming months. In the near term, MCP will institute best practices and migrate Willamette Pass to the same point-of-sale and ticketing system as the rest of MCP’s portfolio.