Umatilla County Issues RFP to Revive Long-Dormant Spout Springs Ski Area

For the first time in nearly a decade, the lifts at Spout Springs Ski Area may soon turn again. Umatilla County has officially launched a search for a new partner to resurrect the historic Blue Mountain resort, issuing a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) to take over operations of the 1,413-acre site.

Spout Springs Ski Area is a former ski area near Tollgate, Oregon, in the Blue Mountains, within the Umatilla National Forest.The ski area, which opened in the 1940s, offered beginner and intermediate terrain, served by two fixed-grip double chairlifts It is adjacent to Oregon Route 204, midway between Weston and Elgin.

Spout Springs closed after the 2017–2018 ski season. The USFS had designated the ski area parking lot to be "multiuse" and insisted that snowmobilers be allowed to park in the ski area parking which was not insureable. This USFS policy forced the area to close. The USFS revoked the permit due to non-operation and the matter is currently under litigation. Even though the litigation was ongoing in July 2022, the Umatilla National Forest released a “Request for Expression of Interest” for someone to manage and operate Spout Springs. The Forest Service announced that it received more than a dozen proposals from parties interested in doing so, but as of late 2024 no new operator had been announced, and the ski area remained closed

The ski area, located within the Umatilla National Forest, has been shuttered since the end of the 2017/18 season. This move by the Board of Commissioners represents a final, high-stakes push to bring winter recreation back to northeastern Oregon.

The Opportunity: A "Turn-Key" Mountain with a Catch

The county is seeking an entity capable of managing the entirety of the resort’s footprint. While the successful bidder will have to navigate the complexities of a U.S. Forest Service Ski Area Term Permit, the deal includes a massive transfer of physical assets.

The winning proposer will receive ownership of all existing personal property and infrastructure on an "as-is" basis, including:

• The Main Lodge and rental shop.

• Two fixed-grip double chairlifts serving 13 downhill runs.

• A fleet of groomers and maintenance equipment.

• 20+ miles of Nordic trails, a major draw for the region’s cross-country community.

Sitting at an elevation of 4,920 feet with a 530-foot vertical drop, Spout Springs has historically served as a vital community hub for Pendleton and the surrounding Walla Walla Valley.

A Roadblock or a Goldmine?

Reviving a mountain that has sat idle for eight years is no small feat. Previous attempts to sell the resort—including a 2020 listing for $1.25 million—stalled, largely due to the significant capital required for infrastructure modernizations.

The new operator will be responsible for:

• Lift Maintenance: Ensuring the decades-old double chairs meet modern safety standards.

• Snowmaking: Evaluating the potential for artificial snow to combat increasingly volatile winter cycles.

• Staffing: Rebuilding a team from scratch, including a certified ski patrol and management staff.

Despite the hurdles, the county views the project as a premier opportunity for an operator with the vision to modernize a "boutique" independent resort in a market hungry for local alternatives to corporate ski destinations.

Timeline for the Comeback

Umatilla County Commissioner Daniel N. Dorran is currently overseeing the bidding process. The window for proposals is tight, signaling the county's desire to see movement before the next winter cycle.

• Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

• Submission Site: Umatilla County Courthouse, Pendleton.

• Contract Award Goal: June 3, 2026.

If a contract is awarded by early June, it could pave the way for the resort’s first operational season in nine years. For the skiers and riders of northeastern Oregon, the news offers a glimmer of hope that the "long winter" of Spout Springs’ dormancy is finally coming to an end.