BY KAREN BOSSICK

Matt and Diane McFerran announced on Facebook that they have sold the area near Fairfield to a group from Utah.

“This team from Utah is passionate about skiing and snowboarding, has an extensive business background and has so many planned improvements for your mountain experience,” Diane McFerran posted Thursday.

The McFerrans purchased the resort, formerly owned by actor Bruce Willis, five years ago. They moved here from the Bend, Ore., area.

They had planned to unveil a new mountain bike trail system on the 1,150-acre  ski area a month ago but were thwarted by a wildfire that swept over the area, burning the Magic Carpet and singeing trees but leaving the lodge and lifts unscathed.

Diane said that she, her hubby and their Australian shepherd Skeeter are not going anywhere.

“Our time doing this, getting to know all of you and becoming a genuine part of the community has been life changing,” she wrote. “We will see you on the slopes!”