Middlefield, CT – The town of Middlefield is continuing negotiations to revive the dormant Powder Ridge Ski Area.nNew England’s southernmost slopes, Powder Ridge hasn’t operated since 2007, when then-owner Kenneth Leavitt hit the financial skids. Since then the town acquired the property and has been searching for an operator for the ski area.

Over the past several months the Middlefield Board of Selectmen has been negotiating with frontrunner Alpine Associates, Inc. after the previously-selected operator, Snowtime and CDF & Associates, abruptly pulled out of the deal, citing the state’s high taxes and cost of electricity. Sticking points reportedly include the ability to tie into the west end of Lake Beseck for snowmaking water, as well as maintaining a seven acre buffer along Powder Ridge Road to shield the ski area from non-skiing neighbors.

Should an agreement be reached, Alpine Associates has promised to sink approximately $2 million into renovations and upgrades at the ski area and pay roughly $1 million for the property. The town paid $2.55 million to acquire Powder Ridge in December 2008.