The owner of Sleeping Giant Ski Area, located near Cody, Wyoming, has listed the resort for sale, seeking $500,000 to either find a strategic partner to help run the operation or for a buyer willing to purchase it outright, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Owner Nick Piazza, who purchased the ski area in 2020, emphasized that his goal is to keep the resort operational and improve its future.
Sleeping Giant, located 48 miles west of Cody near Yellowstone National Park, has remained idle during the past two winter seasons. Additionally, its summer zipline has been closed since 2023. Piazza, who is originally from Cody and has extensive experience in the finance industry, said he is open to a sale but would prefer to find a partner to share the operational responsibilities.
“We’re looking for a strategic partner who can manage the day-to-day operations, particularly for the summer activities… If that doesn’t work out, I’m open to selling the resort to ensure its future success,” Piazza explained.
Piazza bought the resort, which had operated as a nonprofit, for less than $100 in 2020 and has since invested around $1.5 million into infrastructure improvements. These include lift upgrades, new lighting for night skiing, and a yurt for guests. While the listing price is negotiable, Piazza believes it is still a reasonable offer compared to other ski areas on the market today.
Despite the improvements, Piazza faces challenges due to the ski area’s small size and its relatively remote location, making it difficult to attract large numbers of visitors. He estimates that the resort needs to sell 80 lift tickets a day to break even financially.
Although only the infrastructure of the ski area is for sale, as the land is leased from the U.S. Forest Service, Piazza sees potential for growth, particularly through the development of lodging at the site.
“If we had lodging for 50 people to stay all weekend, suddenly the business model becomes more stable,” he said.
Piazza’s commitment to keeping Sleeping Giant open for the community remains a priority. The resort has long been a recreational hub in the area, and Piazza is determined to preserve its legacy while seeking the right partner or buyer to ensure its long-term viability.
“We’re not running away from this. Our No. 1 goal is to keep it open and operating… If that doesn’t work out, I’m open to selling the resort to ensure its future success,” Piazza said.
