(AA) A "Summer Ski Resort" making $200K / season

July 18, 2025
by a professional-advisory in San Antonio, TX, USA
Hi folks, Will here from the Acquisitions Anonymous team. Today's episode looked at a unique business opportunity: a summer ski resort in Wyoming that operates only about 40 days a year. Talk about thin ice.
It's called Beartooth Basin, nestled in a remote section of the Beartooth Highway. It includes two high-speed lifts powered by portable diesel generators.
But the economics are pretty small: the resort can handle up to 100 skiers per day, with tickets priced at $50 each. So, under perfect conditions, they max out at about $200K in revenue for the season.
However, there are some big questions here. The resort relies on a 20-year permit for operations, and with no built infrastructure, every day is a gamble with the weather. Also, why is the ticket price so low? Seems like it might not be a cash cow after all.
Takeaways
- Operating only 40 days a year makes for a tricky revenue model; weather and conditions can cut that short.
- The resort's unique concept might attract niche customers, but the pricing is puzzling for a ski experience.
- It’s essential to investigate the actual cash flow versus the potential revenue claims.
- With no infrastructure, everything hinges on that generator – if it fails, so does the business.
You can listen to Girdley and Heather break down the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1KiVUle19k
And check out the business listing direct: https://beartoothbasin.com/for-sale
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Portland, OR, USA