From family ties to business ownership, a lifelong dream is realized with Pomerelle Mountain Resort

A popular place rooted in historical hospitality is not only a destination for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s also the place for dreams to come true — at least for one business owner.

Located in Albion, Pomerelle Mountain Ski Resort has a rich history of welcoming ski enthusiasts from all over and today, under the ownership of Zack Alexander, Pomerelle continues to bring affordable, family-friendly ski and snowboarding experiences to people. Whether it’s welcoming guests to the highly regarded ski school or providing lift access and ski rentals so they can explore the slopes, Pomerelle has everything needed for an outdoor mountain experience.

Pomerelle is one of Idaho’s longest-standing ski resorts, officially opening during the 1962-1963 season. Prior to that, it operated further down the mountain as the Mt. Harrison Ski Club, which has roots dating to the early 1940s.

Alexander shared that his connection to Pomerelle runs deep. His grandparents were heavily involved in the snow sports school for many years and it’s where he first learned to love skiing. He also met his wife there, and for the last 12 years he has served as the mountain manager, where he helped grow the resort. When the opportunity arose to purchase Pomerelle, he jumped at the chance.

“It was something we had been working toward for a long time,” he explained. “The previous owners recognized the passion my family and I have for the mountain and trusted us to carry forward the legacy they worked so hard to build. That trust meant everything to us. We share a common vision — to preserve what makes Pomerelle unique and ensure it never loses its identity to the increasingly corporate direction of the ski industry. For us, this wasn’t just a business decision, it was the continuation of a lifelong dream and a commitment to protecting a place that means so much to our family and our community.”

Since taking the reins, Alexander said things have been going smoothly, even though this winter brought challenges with lower-than-average snowfall and unusually warm temperatures.

“It made for a unique season, but our team really stepped up,” he explained. “Everyone worked hard to maintain the quality of our slopes, our food and the overall guest experience that people have come to expect from us. Even with a challenging snow year, we remained strong operationally and financially, which speaks to both the loyalty of our customer base and the consistency of the experience we provide.”

Currently, the resort employs five year-round employees and approximately 100 team members during peak winter season. On average, they see between 45,000 to 50,000 skier visits each year and the snow sports program serves thousands of school-aged students across the Magic Valley and beyond.

“We’re not trying to be the biggest or the most high-end resort,” Alexander said. “We’re focused on being the most genuine, approachable and family-centered experience we can be. Pomerelle has always had a strong sense of identity. It’s a place where families can come and feel comfortable, where kids can learn to ski without intimidation, and where the focus is on enjoying the sport rather than navigating long lines, high prices or a corporate environment. We also take a lot of pride in staying true to the ‘soul of skiing.’”

Stressing that Pomerelle Mountain Resort is more than just a ski resort, but it’s a place for people to feel connected to, Alexander said that he’s intentional about staying true to its roots.

“In a time when so much of the ski industry is becoming larger, more expensive and more corporate, we see real value in staying independent, staying affordable and staying focused on the people who make this place special,” he shared.

Alexander, in talking about the future of the resort, is thrilled to continue to build the business while raising his family to love the sport that’s so deeply instilled in him.

“At the end of the day, what makes Pomerelle unique isn’t just what we offer, it’s how and why we offer it,” he said. “Pomerelle isn’t trying to be something it’s not — we’re focused on being exactly what we are and doing it as well as we possibly can. It’s a place built on passion, community and a genuine love for skiing, and we’re committed to keeping it that way.”