Industry News
The Town of Nederland, Colorado, has announced plans to purchase the Eldora Mountain Resort from its current owner, POWDR. This acquisition, which officially took place on July 9, 2025, is a rare instance of a municipality buying a ski resort from a corporate owner. It is expected to be finalized by October 2025. Nederland’s motivations for the purchase include creating a year-round, community-driven destination and generating revenue to support local infrastructure and services.
Nederland plans to issue municipal bonds backed by Eldora’s earnings, ensuring that local tax dollars are not used for the ski area purchase. All current Eldora employees (approximately 700) will become town employees. Nederland also plans on creating a new management position to balance the interface between the town and the resort.
POWDR will remain involved in background operations for at least two years to facilitate a smooth transition. Regardless of the new acquisition, Eldora will remain part of the Ikon Pass system. This ensures continued access for current and future Ikon pass holders. While the exact purchase price has not yet been disclosed, various estimates have ranged between $100 and $200 million. The acquisition has drawn both excitement and questions regarding its financing, oversight, and climate vulnerability from various outlets. However, the town of Nederland remains committed to the deal, highlighting the potential for economic development and community benefits.
Eldora will not be the first ski area to be owned by a city or town. Several other ski areas are owned and operated by cities or municipalities. One prominent example is Winter Park Resort in Colorado, which is owned by the City and County of Denver. Another is Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which is owned by the city and operates as a city park. Additionally, Abenaki Ski Area in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, is owned and operated by the local community.
While the purchase of Eldora by the town of Nederland comes as a surprise, the benefits for both the resort and residents of the town seem promising. It will be interesting to see how the purchase affects both local residents and skiers and snowboarders alike in the coming years.
