RANGELEY — Saddleback ski area is in negotiations with a possible buyer and might open this winter.

The ski area broke the news Thursday afternoon in a short post on its Facebook page.

“We are in the midst of serious negotiations with a buyer that plans to open for the winter – hope to be up and running soon,” the post read.

It said it would keep followers posted next week.

Bill and Irene Berry of Farmington bought Saddleback in 2003 and invested $40 million in the resort, adding new trails, chairlifts, real estate and a base lodge.

Skiers and business owners in the Rangeley area have been waiting to hear what the future holds for Saddleback after the Berrys’ announcement in July that they would not open for the 2015-16 season unless they could get $3 million in financing to install a new high-speed chairlift to replace the Rangeley Double Chair, the resort’s aging main line.

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In early September, the resort announced that it had not been able to get the money it needed but was talking to possible buyers. Later that month, it said it expected to have a “clear future” of the resort by the first week in October.

In the past few days, skiers and snowboarders have posted messages on the resort’s Facebook page, asking for an update on the status of the mountain before making different plans for the season.

The resort employs more than 300 people and is a major economic engine for the region. Fans of the ski mountain’s social media site immediately responded with joy upon learning the resort could open in time for this season.

In 2012, the family put the property up for sale for $12 million.


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