One of Tri-Cities Favorite Ski Areas Is Up for Sale

Rumors have been swirling about one of our favorite local ski areas being up for sale and rumors become reality as the ski resort officially announces the proposed sale.

If you are an avid skier, not much should change for you but new ownership could be taking over White Pass Ski Resort after the holidays.

Is White Pass Ski Resort Up For Sale?

White Pass Company Inc. President Kevin McCarthy announced the possible sale to a small group of local Yakima investors.

The beloved ski resort could soon be in new hands if the proposed sale goes through.

McCarthy posted this on the White Pass Facebook page:

As you may have read online today, White Pass stockholders are reviewing a proposal for the purchase of the ski area. I want you to know that I firmly believe this is an important step to assure the future growth and success of White Pass. Below you will find a copy of the news release we will send out to news media.

As I've said before, I'm not really going anywhere and General Manager Rikki Cooper and our entire management team will remain intact. Please get to know a little about the prospective buyers and feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Rikki has me working near the ticket booth most mornings.

See you on the hill,
Kevin McCarthy
President
White Pass Company, Inc.

When Did White Pass Ski Resort Open?

White Pass Ski Resort opened in January of 1953 and has been a fun-family destination since its opening.

White Pass Has A Ton Of History Including Phil and Steve Mahre World Cup Wins

White Pass also has one of the oldest chair-lifts still in operation in Washington State.

White Pass posted the details of the proposed sale with this press release:

The shareholders of the White Pass Ski Area are reviewing a proposed sale of the ski area to a Yakima-based partnership led by Andrew Sundquist, David Severn, Dan Plath, Adam Dolsen and Patrick Smith. Each of the partners lives in Yakima, have families that have been here for generations, and are regulars at White Pass each weekend skiing with their kids who range in age from one to fifteen.

“We started our succession planning process several years ago and have taken a slow, methodical approach to find the right opportunity,” said Kevin McCarthy, President of White Pass. “We could not be more excited about having a young, local group of active and interested skiers take the reins of our ski area. Although there has been significant change in the ski business as of late both locally and nationally, this transaction provides an alternate path where White Pass will continue to be owned and operated locally by the next generation. The response from the majority of our shareholders to this potential sale has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Even if the transaction proceeds, the current management and staff will continue to run the ski area on a day-to-day basis just as they have been doing for years. Kevin McCarthy will continue in his role as President and Rikki Cooper will continue in her role as General Manager.

"We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with and be guided by the team at White Pass. They and so many others in our community over the years have put a lot of effort into making White Pass a truly exceptional place - a tradition we aim to continue,” said David Severn, of the partnership group. “Also, as this is the mountain that each of us grew up skiing with our families as little kids and are now doing the same with our own young kids, we understand the importance of maintaining the family-friendly culture of the ski area.”

“White Pass is a truly amazing place that is dearly loved by my family, my friends, and the larger community as well,” added partner Andrew Sundquist. “Our goal and motivation to become involved with White Pass is to keep it locally owned and operated, and to ensure that it maintains the skier-friendly, relaxed, home mountain environment we have all come to love and appreciate.”

If approved by the shareholders, the transaction is expected to close prior to year-end.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with White Pass in the future but good to know that it will stay local with the sale to Yakima locals.