skiiing

A small community ski slope west of Cody is in the process of moving into private hands after a tumultuous winter season. 

Last spring, Sleeping Giant announced it would be unlikely for the mountain to re-open for the next ski season. The news came after more than ten years of running a deficit. But after community outcry, the nonprofit said they would figure out a way to make it work.

Jackson's Snow King Mountain Resort plans to upgrade its facilities within the next five years.

The small ski area will build multiple restaurants on Snow King Mountain's summit that will serve over 1,000 people, as well as a modernized cable-car lift able to carry out 1,500 people per hour to the top of the mountain. 

A stargazing observatory is also planned for the summit, which Resort General Manager Ryan Stanley said would hopefully attract people beyond skiers.

The Antelope Butte Ski Area in the Big Horn Mountains is getting closer to reopening. The Antelope Butte Foundation is preparing to make the first down payment on the site next month.

The community ski area closed in 2004 after decades of operation. The foundation was created to re-open the area to skiers, and also as a summer recreation area and event space.