PORTLAND – The Mount Abram ski resort in western Maine, which changed hands three times in the 1990s, is up for sale for $1.8 million.

Located in Greenwood near the much larger Sunday River resort in Newry, Mount Abram is one of Maine’s smaller ski areas, but also has among the biggest vertical drops in the state at 1,150 feet. It has 44 trails and the state’s largest tubing park.

Josh Burns, who bought the property for $325,000 plus back taxes at a foreclosure auction in 2000, has made snowmaking, chairlift and other improvements and said the business is profitable. Burns said he’s selling more for personal than economic reasons.

“We think the time is right,” said Burns, a senior portfolio manager at Smith Barney who lives in Falmouth. “We’ve done a lot to the mountain. We think new owners can come in and take it to the next level.”

With lift tickets priced much lower than those of larger ski areas, Mount Abram appeals to families with young children and skiers looking for an affordable, relaxed experience.

The property is being marketed to ski operators throughout the Northeast and eastern Canada.

Dan Greenstein, who lists the property at CBRE/The Boulos Co., said a potential buyer could be the owner of a similar-sized mountain or a real estate developer who could spin off the ski operation.

Mount Abram changed hands three times during the 1990s. A family that had owned it for three decades couldn’t make loan payments and turned it over to a bank, and Burns purchased it after a loan dispute between a former owner and bank.

Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association, said Burns’ business background has helped him to run Mount Abram with less overhead than previous owners.