Industry News
Pomerelle Mountain Resort in southern Idaho has new owners—but the transition keeps the ski area firmly rooted in family and community ties. The Anderson family has sold the 500-acre ski area in the Albion Mountains to mountain manager Zach Alexander and his wife, Crystal. Alexander is the grandson of longtime and recently retired snowsports director Barry Whiting, making the ownership shift feel less like a sale and more like a generational handoff, according to reporting by Local Freshies, which spoke with the Alexanders about their journey to ownership.
Located about 45 minutes from Burley and roughly 76 miles from Twin Falls, Pomerelle is known for its modest 1,000 feet of vertical drop, 31 trails, and an average annual snowfall of approximately 500 inches. The resort participates in the Indy Pass and has long marketed itself as an affordable, family-focused ski hill. Alexander grew up skiing at Pomerelle, starting at age one under the guidance of his grandparents, Barry and Sheryl Whiting, who directed the ski school program for decades. As a teenager, he began instructing at the mountain and later earned professional certifications, eventually becoming a Level 3 snowboard instructor before age 25.
He went on to study Ski Area Operations at Colorado Mountain College before returning home to work at Pomerelle, where he spent more than 20 years in various roles, from snowcat operations to ticketing to mountain management. According to Local Freshies, the previous owners, John and Jody Burrows, decided in October 2023 that it was time to retire. Rather than list the mountain on the open market, they sought to keep ownership local. Securing financing for the purchase reportedly took roughly a year and a half.
Alexander has said his goal is to maintain Pomerelle’s identity as an affordable, community-driven ski area. Lift tickets currently start at $55, a price point that stands in contrast to rising day-ticket costs at many destination resorts. The new owners say future investments will focus on infrastructure improvements that enhance efficiency, keeping skiers “on the lift, not standing in line,” while preserving the mountain’s low-key atmosphere.
Pomerelle has nearly doubled its revenue over the past decade, according to reporting from Local Freshies, reflecting steady regional support and consistent snow seasons. Unlike many larger resorts, Pomerelle has remained intentionally small, emphasizing quality grooming, manageable terrain, and an accessible lodge experience. Crystal Alexander, who previously worked as an instructor at the mountain, will play an active role in operations alongside her husband. The couple, married for 16 years, have four children and say they view Pomerelle not just as a business, but as a community hub.
In an era of industry consolidation, where independent ski areas are increasingly acquired by larger resort conglomerates, Pomerelle’s sale represents a different path centered on local ownership and continuity. Mountains like Pomerelle are the kinds of places that keeps the soul of skiing alive. And for many in Southern Idaho, the mountain’s next chapter will look familiar: the same 500 acres, the same laid-back culture, and leadership that grew up on its slopes.
