Off The Beaten Path

Brundage Sold - 28th April 2006

Brundage Mountain Company has announced that the J.R. Simplot Company has sold its 50 percent ownership in the Idaho ski and summer resort to long-time co-owner, the DeBoer family. The purchase was made through Brown’s Industries, Inc. and Snowy Peaks, LLC, both owned by Judd and Diane DeBoer and their family.

Brown’s Industries, Inc. President Judd DeBoer expressed his family’s appreciation for their long-term partnership and the fact that the owners reinvested all profits back into the resort for more than 40 years. DeBoer also said he and his family have enjoyed the enthusiasm of Simplot founder, J.R. Simplot, as he skied the mountain and raved about its attributes. “Our family is very excited about the future of Brundage Mountain Resort,” added DeBoer.

Simplot Company President and CEO Larry Hlobik said the company fully recognizes the recreational potential of Brundage but has elected to direct its capital to its core fertilizer and food business.

“We’ve enjoyed an amicable and productive business relationship with Brown’s Industries since J.R. Simplot and Warren Brown started their joint venture in the early sixties,” said Hlobik. “We wish the DeBoer family every success with the resort.”

Rick Certano, who joined the Brundage team last fall, will continue in his role as President and General Manager of Brundage Mountain Company. Judd DeBoer will assume the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Brundage Mountain Resort’s top priority will be the Phase I expansion of new runs and lifts started several years ago. This expansion is part of a Revised Master Development Plan approved by the Payette National Forest. Separately, a land exchange is pending, whereby Brundage will gain land in and around the base area, and the Forest Service will acquire critical private in-holdings in the Payette National Forest.

Brundage Mountain Resort is offering $5 lift tickets for this, its final weekend of the 2005/2006 ski and snowboard season which will mark the close of the longest season in over 20 years at the Idaho resort, with over 400 inches (34 feet) of cumulative snowfall and 147 days in operation by the time the mountain ends its winter seasonon Sunday. The idea is to “flash back” to 1961, the year Brundage first opened and lift tickets were just $5.

Visitors are encouraged to wear the most nostalgic or ‘retro’ ski outfits they can find.

“This is a fun way for us to celebrate our history and our long-term relationship with the area’s snow lovers,” said resort spokesperson, April Russell, “What better way to revisit the good ol’ days than with a $5 lift ticket?”