Sebastian Monsour of the Majella Group is interviewed Wednesday with Saddleback Mountain in the background after it was announced that the company is purchasing the resort from Bill and Irene Berry.

Ken Haley, who with business partners owns 200 lots in the Rangeley area, attends the formal announcement Wednesday that Bill and Irene Berry are selling Saddleback Mountain ski resort to the Majella Group.

Former Portland Fire Chief Fred LaMontagne, the new CEO of Saddleback, speaks Wednesday of the excitement of the new purchase and appreciation for the local support for the resort.

More than 100 local supporters attended the announcement Wednesday of the pending sale of Saddleback Mountain to the Majella Group.

More than 100 local supporters attended the announcement Wednesday of the pending sale of Saddleback.

Attendees applaud as former Saddleback Resort owners Irene and Bill Berry, right, pass the traditional wooden ski to Sebastian Monsour, chief executive officer of the Majella Group, at a sale announcement Wednesday morning at the resort outside Rangeley. Monsour has agreed to buy the resort in a sale expected to be finalized this summer.

Jordan Berry, left, Nate Berry and Nan Berry ride the South Branch Quad Chair lift at Saddleback in 2012 after more than 14 inches of snow fell on at the mountain.

Skiers ride the Kennebago Quad chairlift at Saddleback Mountain in 2008.

Saddleback