Tuxedo, NY – Planning to ski Tuxedo Ridge this winter? Think again.

James Mezzetti, owner of the diminutive 400 vertical-foot ski hill just north of New York City, cited “circumstances outside of our control” related to an option on the property to build the Sterling Forest Resort Casino in announcing that Tuxedo Ridge won’t operate this winter.

“To my employees and customers, I cannot thank you enough for your support and loyalty over the past eight seasons. You are truly a big part of what made me so passionate about this business, and truly the hardest part for me to let go,” Mezzetti wrote in a letter published to the ski area’s website.

Mezzetti promises that while he’s working on making Tuxedo Ridge’s future a reality, he does so “with no promises or guarantees.”

“So, as the saying goes, this is not goodbye, just goodbye for now. My hope is for a 2016/2017 Tuxedo Ridge ski season,” Mezzetti concluded.