A favorite Western New England ski and snowboarding destination will soon change hands.

The Colorado-based Vail Resorts will buy Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont as part of an $82 million deal, reports VTDigger.

Tim Mueller and his wife Diane have owned and run Okemo since 1982. In the winter, the mountain employs about 1,400 people, and about 500,000 skiers visit annually, he said.

Vail will also acquire the Mueller's two other ski properties -- Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire and Crested Butte in Colorado. In a separate deal, Vail will acquire Stevens Pass in Washington.

The company purchased Stowe Mountain Resort in February 2017.

The ski areas are part of Vail Resorts' Epic Pass, which allows subscribers to ski at Vail-affiliated mountains around the world.

The announcement reportedly generated local backlash in the central Vermont region, as some decried the shift from family to corporate ownership.

The Muellers said they weren't looking to sell when Vail contacted them, but ultimately decided the transfer would ensure Okemo's long-term future. Vail said it plans $35 million in capital investments in its new acquisitions.

Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz said in a statement the acquisitions "will significantly enhance the Vail Resorts' network of resort experiences, adding even more variety and choice for all of our pass holders and guests."

Okemo, only a two-hour drive from Springfield, is popular with winter sports enthusiasts from Western Massachusetts.

The deal requires regulatory approval and is slated to go through this summer.