RANGELEY — Installing a new quad chairlift at Saddleback Ski Resort this year is out of the question, but the resort hopes to have an operational plan for this winter in place by the first week of October.

In a post on its Facebook page last Wednesday, Saddleback said that at this point, “putting in a lift for this season is off the table,” but it is talking to possible buyers for the resort and considering alternative options for the upcoming season.

“Our goal is to have a clear future by the first week in October, so that if none of the operational options pan out, we can allow our customers to look at other options for the 2015-2016 season,” the resort said in its post.

In July, the resort announced it would be unable to open this year unless it secured funding for a new high speed quad chairlift to replace the aging Rangeley Double Chair, the central lift that brings skiers from the base lodge up the mountain.

Earlier this month, Saddleback announced that it had not found the financing it needed to install the lift this year, but was talking to possible buyers, including one who might install a quad before opening this season.

In its post last week, Saddleback said four separate buyers were looking at buying the resort and operating this season with the existing lift configuration and another buyer was considering buying the resort in the spring.

The resort is looking at a limited operation for the 2015-16 season if the first option, having a buyer in place to run the resort this winter, doesn’t materialize.


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