TEN SLEEP -- New owners of the Big Horn Mountain Ski Resort near here hope to open the resort next month, but they're waiting for U.S. Forest Service approval.

Wayne and Holli Jones, who bought the resort this summer, have met with the Forest Service and are hoping for a permit by Dec. 10 at the latest, Holli Jones said.

Six full-time employees are working to renovate the ski resort and nearby Deer Haven lodge. The work includes adding new generators, water pipes, gas pumps, hot water heaters, counters and carpet for the buildings, Jones said.

She said excitement is building about the prospect of opening the resort this season.

"We're just trying to redo everything in there. In the meantime we're getting so much pressure from the public to get them open," she said. "It's been a challenge."

The couple does not plan to open Meadowlark Lake, a second lodge at the resort, this year.

The Forest Service shut down Meadowlark and Deer Haven last year, when they were under a different owner, because of safety violations.

Summit Lift Company of Canada recently inspected the ski lift at Big Horn Mountain, and everything looked OK, Jones said. The company will soon return to inspect the tow rope, she said.

The ski area will offer new and used equipment for rent. There will also be a bar and restaurant. The Joneses got a liquor license from the Washakie County Commissioners early last week.

"We put our heart and soul in it. We want it to work," Jones said. "We're plugging away every day."

The Joneses also own South Fork Mountain Lodge and Outfitters near Buffalo.