The Little Switzerland Ski Area in Slinger was sold to Schmitz Brothers LLC.
The ski resort, which opened in 1941 and closed in 2007, is expected to reopen in time for the 2012-2013 ski season.
It was purchased by Wayne Erickson, owner of Slinger Super Speedway, in May 2011 from Jane Herte, daughter of founder Ed Herte. Erickson has been renovating the chalet and seeking a company to operate the business. He will remain the owner of the lodge, bar and restaurant at the site.
Schmitz Brothers LLC now owns the ski slopes and will lease the lower level of the chalet for operations. Schmitz Brothers is owned by three brothers, Rick, Mike and Dave Schmitz, who grew up near Little Switzerland in Hubertus.
Rick Schmitz also owns and operates Nordic Mountain Ski Area in Mt. Morris and Blackjack Resort in Bessemer, Mich.
“The property has so much potential. From growing up on the slopes of Switz, we know what a great area it once was,” he said. “It needs a lot of TLC, but all the key ingredients are still there to bring the area back to being a premier ski destination for the Milwaukee metro area.”
The brothers plan to invest heavily in renovations before next ski season. Reopening the ski area will create 200 seasonal jobs and is expected to impact the surrounding Slinger businesses.
