Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs has been purchased by the Colorado-based owner of sister ski resorts Bear Mountain and Snow Summit in Big Bear Lake.
In a news release Friday, Jan. 20, Jared Smith, president and CEO of Alterra Mountain Co., called the acquisition “a continuation of our ongoing mission to build a premier portfolio of great mountains in robust markets.”
Smith continued: “As we do with all our destinations, we are excited to invest essential capital to enhance the on-site employee and guest experience to further strengthen our offerings to skiers and riders in Southern California.”
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Alterra, which owns more than a dozen mountain resorts across six states and three Canadian provinces, does not disclose purchase prices, a spokesperson said Friday.
Alterra bought Bear Mountain and Snow Summit – collectively known as Big Bear Mountain Resort – in 2017, reports show.
Rumors of Snow Valley being up for sale began circulating in the fall, when a change.org petition warned such a purchase “will price thousands of Inland Empire families out of winter sports, severely limiting access to lift operated recreation” in local national forests.
Attempts by the Southern California News Group to confirm interest in or the imminent closing of a sale were not answered at the time.
A top official for Snow Valley’s legal group said in October the Running Springs resort was owned by the estate of W.R. Sauey, who died in June 2020.
A representative for Sauey’s estate was not made available for comment.
In the release Friday, Kevin Somes, Snow Valley vice president and general manager, called the place “a treasured destination since 1924.”
“Together” with Alterra, he added, “we will continue its incredible legacy.”
With Big Bear Lake resorts Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, and now Snow Valley, Alterra offers a three-mountain destination for skiers and riders at all experience levels.
Snow Valley, in particular, has “some of the region’s best beginner terrain, with award-winning learning centers and a shared dedication to exceptional guest service,” Alterra’s news release says.
The Running Springs resort also has Southern California’s only chairlift-serviced sledding area.