RANGELEY, Maine — Saddleback Ski Resort has been awarded the Gannett Family Business of the Year Award in the Small Business category by the Institute for Family-Owned Business. Saddleback Ski Resort, located in the legendary Rangeley Lakes Region is a four season resort currently focusing on non-motorized winter sports; alpine skiing, snow boarding, cross country skiing, telemark skiing and snow shoeing, serving primarily the eastern United States with a special emphasis on Maine. Bill and Irene Berry of Farmington Maine proudly accepted the award on their family’s behalf.

The Gannett Family Business of the Year Award celebrates the value and uniqueness of family business issues and successes. The Institute for Family-Owned Business, an outreach program of the University of Southern Maine, recognizes those businesses that have responded to the challenges of family business and have demonstrated success in the following areas: family participation, business participation, succession planning, work environment, communication, and community involvement.

Since becoming owners of Saddleback in 2003, the Berry family has built a spectacular post and beam base lodge with all skier services, expanded terrain by over 44%, replaced the grooming fleet, increased snowmaking to over 85%, upgraded and lengthened the Rangeley Chair, and added a ?? mile long quad chairlift and beginner/kids area. This summer Saddleback is adding 3 new trails, additional snowmaking and a quad chairlift to the upper mountain, expanding what is already the largest self contained advanced skier facility in the East.