Dayton, WA – A Kennewick couple, both of whom are instructors at Ski Bluewood, have purchased their employer located 21 miles south of Dayton, it was announced Thursday.nThe transaction will prevent the rumored closure of the popular local ski area, assured the new owners, Mike and Kelly Stephenson.

Mike Stephenson, a Level 3 ski instructor, has taught at Bluewood for 15 years. Along with his wife Kelly, a Level 1 instructor whom he met on the slopes three years ago, Mike Stephenson put together a business plan to acquire the ski area, a plan that fell together this week.

Parties declined to disclose the purchase price.

The Stephensons are leading an effort to get required maintenance and safety projects, including brush clearing the runs, completed in time for a projected mid-December season opening. Kelly Stephenson told the Tri-City Herald newspaper that initial plans call for maintaining youth programs that involve the local community, with longer-range plans to develop mountain biking trails on the property.

“We want to make sure it’s affordable and accessible,” she told the Herald.