How do I find a ski hill for sale in Canada?

Ski hills are rare, and there is no single place where they all appear. An owner may prefer a quiet sale, since skiers, staff and the nearby town will all notice. A search for a hill for sale may show very little, which says more about how these sales happen than about how many hills could change hands. Use several routes at once and give each one time.

Listing sites and brokers

Check listing sites often, including Deavo, so you see a new listing early. Then talk to a few brokers who handle recreation or tourism businesses. Tell them the size of hill you want, how far you will relocate and how hands-on you plan to be. A BDC guide on working with a broker explains what a broker does for a buyer.

Approaching owners

Some owners would sell to the right person but have never listed. A short, respectful letter works better than a cold call. Say who you are, what you do and that you will keep the conversation private. Do not ask for the books in a first message. Expect many polite refusals, and treat each owner’s privacy with care.

Community-run hills

Some small hills are run by clubs, societies or volunteers, and their boards may look for a new operator when volunteers tire. These are different conversations. The decision may sit with a board or a membership, and the land may belong to someone else. Ask who decides, who owns what, and what the group expects of a new operator.

When you find one

Once a hill is on the table, checking comes next. The steps in what to check before buying a small ski hill cover lifts, snowmaking, land and records. If you want help screening what you find, see how to choose a business broker.