Scott DW Smith/Purgatory Resort

James Coleman, owner of Arizona Snowbowl.

When you think about ski towns, Whistler in Canada might come to mind. Maybe Telluride in Colorado, or Stowe in Vermont?

But, don’t forget Flagstaff in Arizona.

Arizona Snowbowl had some of the best powder in the West at the opening of this ski season — and that’s just one reason its owner, James Coleman, is investing a lot of money into improving it.

In fact, Coleman has made a career out of buying and investing in small ski resorts throughout the Southwest. Even at a time when climate change and ongoing drought are big concerns for the industry.

The Show spoke with Coleman more about those investments and why he got into the ski industry to begin with.

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