KPTM FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; Nebraska News, Sports; kptm.com | End of An Era: Iowa's Only Ski Resort is Auctioned Off
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Jenny Nowatzke
Omaha (KPTM) - At the end of a long, gravel road... among the Iowa countryside... lies the intersection of Snowhill Lane and Ski Hill Loop. And as you round the corner, you'll find Iowa's premiere ski resort - Mt. Crescent.
"A lot of people don't think there's skiing in Iowa - just cornfields - but we have these beautiful Loess Hills and we call this the 'Iowa Alps,'" said Russ Lindeman, who's been in charge of Mt. Crescent for 35 years.
Lindeman and his wife first bought Mt. Crescent in 1974, but didn't buy the place for skiing. However, not long after moving in, Russ' laid-back idea quickly changed.
"1975 was a real good season for snow, and we had all the equipment, and it took off from there," he said.
But now, Russ and his family are saying "good-bye" to Mt. Crescent - in an effort to let somebody different take the resort to new heights.
"I'm crowding 80-years-old. I'll be 80 this year and I thought - it's time to retire."
Saturday, an auction was held to sell the resort - which included 758 pairs of skis, more than 1,000 boots, 25 snow machines, and the promise of a fun-filled business adventure for the new owner.
"My hope is that they'll be very successful with the area and I think they will."
But if a problem pops up, Russ is only a snowball throw away.
"If the new owners don't do something right, I'll be up here to tell em' about it!" Lindeman said.
A bid of $1,325,000 was offered by a man from Vail, Colorado - who hopes to keep Mt. Crescent a ski resort. Lindeman's family has until Monday to accept the offer.
