Founder resigns from board of Utah's American Skiing

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — American Skiing Co. founder Leslie Otten has resigned from the board of directors, the company said Monday.

Otten's resignation comes amid speculation that Utah-based American Skiing may be looking to sell its Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA ski resorts in Maine.

American Skiing is selling its Vermont and New Hampshire resorts, leaving it with just three ski areas — Sugarloaf and Sunday River in Maine, and The Canyons in Utah. The company also is selling Steamboat ski resort in Colorado.

Otten built Sunday River into the biggest ski area in Maine before taking the company public a decade ago. He later stepped down as chief executive, but still owns a home near the resort.

In a statement, Otten said he has mixed feelings.

"I truly enjoyed my tenure with the board, but now it's time to look at other options," Otten said.