Yes that is what I read. If you bring in a pair of snow pants or jacket to donate then you can ski for free on Thursday Dec 15. Does anyone want to go?
DONNELLY -- Despite ongoing foreclosure proceedings, Tamarack Resort is set to start yet another ski season on December 15th.
And it seems another season is getting underway too with a new round of potential buyers in the air.
There are a lot of people in Donnelly excited about the opening day for Tamarack Resort. But there are also a growing number of people who are very cautious when they hear that a new buyer is coming in to not only buy the resort, but save it, as well.
Susan Dorris works at Flight of Fancy in downtown Donnelly. When she's not at her cozy bakery, she likes to ski.
"We've skied from the first time Tamarack opened," said Dorris.
Like many, Dorris has had to be patient with the resort for the last four years as it has battled financial problems. It is currently in foreclosure.
"The legal foreclosure process is coming to an end, and so most likely we'll see something happen within 6-12 months," said David Papiez, Tamarack's Controller and Asset Manager.
We've heard this before -- a buyer coming in to buy the troubled resort.
"I can't talk at all about it, it's all bound by confidentiality, but we are working with several parties, several very interested parties," said Papiez.
For Dorris, she says that news doesn't make her want to jump up and down - at least not yet.
"I hope it works, but no one is pinning anything on it working. We've already been there," said Dorris.
For the second year in a row, the Tamarack Municipal Association will run the resort and plans to hire 130 people.
"Valley County is suffering and by us opening the resort it certainly isn't a fix all for everything, but every little bit helps," said Tim Flaherty with the Tamarack Municipal Association.
The resort will be open from Thursday to Sunday, but Papiez would like to see the resort open the entire week.
"For having the ski mountain open for a second season, even with our, in our current condition, is extremely exciting," said Papiez.
Papiez hopes by this time next year a new owner will be running the resort, putting the final touches on the village, which for the past four years, has been frozen in time.
"All we need is an owner to come in and finish that process, and it's a sign of what excitement there is to come," said Papiez.
In the meantime, Dorris will continue baking in her Donnelly bakery with no plans of holding her breath anticipating a new owner - that may or may not ever come.
"But that's okay, I mean I get to ski again this year," said Dorris.
Tamarack Resort will open on Dec. 15 and just like last season five of the resorts seven ski lifts will be open Thursday through Sunday.
If you go on opening day, you can get a free lift ticket if you bring non-perishable meal for four.
You can also get a free lift ticket if you donate either a jacket or snow pants.
