LARAMIE - The Snowy Range Ski Area west of Laramie will not open for its 50th year this winter unless a sale of the operation can be completed soon.

Dan Furphy, president of First National Bank, which has financed the operation for about 10 years, said the bank and the owners are negotiating with three interested parties regarding the sale of the operation.

Furphy said the owners, Rick and Terri Colling of Laramie, have been trying to sell the operation for about a year.

"We've been contacted by a diversity of interested parties and we are accepting bids," he said. "We are optimistic we will find a buyer shortly."

Furphy acknowledged, however, that "we're starting to get into a tight time frame" with regard to opening this season.

Rick Colling and Furphy said Tuesday that the Collings will not be opening the ski area this season if the operation is not sold soon.

The ski area opened in 1959 in the Medicine Bow National Forest under a U.S. Forest Service permit. The Collings became part owners 24 years ago and have been sole owners for 16 years. Rick Colling said three chair lifts have been added during their ownership and the area has more than doubled in size.

The main lodge at the ski area burned down in January 2003, and a new lodge was built with financing from the bank, a federal government loan program and the City of Laramie. Colling said the loan from the city was repaid earlier this year.

Furphy said the bank's loan is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and that the bank is working closely with that agency on negotiations for the sale.

Larry Sandoval, district ranger for the Laramie District of the Forest Service, said last week that "it is our anticipation that the ski area will be open."

Sandoval said the USFS was working with the owners "to get the required items such as inspection and safety done." He said the operation is currently in the middle of a long-term lease.