“There have been inaccurate and misleading media reports surrounding Intrawest today.  Fortress Investment Group continues to own and control Intrawest and all of its properties,” read a statement from Intrawest released Wednesday afternoon. “Serious discussions with Intrawest’s lenders are ongoing regarding refinancing and the Company continues to operate ‘business as usual’ at all of its resort properties.  Intrawest is looking forward to the success of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

Intrawest properties include Steamboat Springs and Winter Park in Colorado, Mont Tremblant in Quebec, and its British Columbia crown jewel Whistler/Blackcomb, which in three weeks will host the alpine events for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

According to reports, during those games – on Feb. 19 to be exact – the company will auction “100 percent of the limited liability company membership interests in Intrawest Holdings.”

Intrawest is owned by New York private equity firm Fortress Investment Group LLC. Intrawest reportedly missed payments last month that were due on a $1.4-billion loan.

Ski Press will be following this story as more details become available.