October 2, 2005 (Lake Tahoe, CA) – The assets of California’s Royal Gorge Resort, the largest cross-country area in North America, have been purchased by a group of developers. The sale is reputed to have been $35 million, including as much as 4,000 acres of deeded land.

Royal Gorge has been on the cutting-edge almost from the moment it was founded in 1971. President/CEO John Slouber introduced grooming with major snowcats and surface lifts to the industry; he also helped create short and mid-sized skis, including Fischer’s Revolution skis.

One of the consortium of new owners confirmed the purchase of the resort but chose not to comment on the price. He said they “plan to run it as is” but didn’t say whether the same management team will be in place this winter. There is no word yet on whether the Royal Gorge Wilderness Lodge, which burned to the ground in November, 2003, will be rebuilt, nor on what scale.

If the price tag was close to $35 million, it’s easily the highest amount ever paid for a cross-country area in the U.S. or Canada.