FAIRFIELD, Idaho -- If Matt McFerran has his way, the chairlifts at Soldier Mountain Ski Area will be up and running before the New Year. But right now, the ski area's new owner is pulling 16-hour days working through what has become a mountain of paperwork.
When Soldier Mountain was put up for sale last month for a mere $149,000, some called it the deal of a lifetime.
"The purchase price definitely got the world dreaming," said McFerran who purchased the mountain with his wife, Diane.
The McFerrans of Bend, Oregon beat out hundreds of applicants when they bought Soldier Mountain last week.
"We could sit back and wish for the rest of our lives that we tried this, and never know," said McFerran, "Then it happened and we were jaw-dropped."
Matt has been in Fairfield now for a just five days. The couple is under contract on a house just steps from the base area.
"Fairfield is great," said McFerran, "We are definitely ready for this. We are all in."
But already it's clear to the owners that things are not all downhill from here.
"That was the easy part," said McFerran, "The snow cats, getting snow cats, will cost probably more than the purchase price of the resort. Operating expenses are phenomenal."
Add to that Forest Service fees, insurance, snow making, electricity and more.
"With the $149,000 purchase price there's literally no tangible assets. It's all on government leased land," he said.
McFerran says he expects the operating costs for this season alone to reach nearly a half million dollars. But that doesn't worry him.
"My CPA yes, not me," McFerran laughed.
The new owners say this purchase goes beyond money.
"The community knows this is not an investment for us. This is our life and our passion and I think they see that," said McFerran.
Denny and Lou Campbell have skied at Soldier Mountain since the 1980s. They say they're impressed by McFerran's enthusiasm.
"I think it's great," said Denny Campbell, "It's just needed somebody who really wants to make it work to come and do it.
McFerran says his goal is not to change the mountain, but to make it a destination for families all year-round. He says he plans to invest in snow making infrastructure and explore new backcountry skiing options. Next summer, McFerran wants to look into building a trail system for mountain biking.
"We just need to get people out here to share the experience of Soldier Mountain," said McFerran.
The McFerrans hope to have Soldier Mountain's website up and running next week for people to buy season passes. An opening date hasn't been set, it will depend on Mother Nature.
