Owners of Burke Mountain Purchase Majority Interest in Smuggs

[thetrailboss]

This was not on my radar at all. Wow.

 

[thetrailboss]

Bear Den Partners Invests in Smugglers’ Notch

The new owners of Burke Mountain today acquired a majority stake in Smugglers’ Notch, another of Vermont’s largest independent mountains. Under the deal, prior owner Bill Stritzler and …

liftblog.com

 

[KustyTheKlown]

a smuggs - burke - b.east - catamount pass could be a cool product for the right $

 

[thetrailboss]

So it appears that this is a partnership in which Bear Den/Schaefer are taking a controlling interest and the Stritzlers are going to remain as minority owners and continue to run things. Seems like a win-win. Fingers crossed that this works.

 

[thebigo]

a smuggs - burke - b.east - catamount pass could be a cool product for the right $

and smuggs a nice add to indy

 

[thetrailboss]

A more detailed statement and YouTube video:

Announcement | Smugglers’ Notch Resort Vermont

Bear Den Partners and Smugglers' Notch Resort Announce Collaborative Ownership Transition

www.smuggs.com

 

[Killingtime]

and smuggs a nice add to indy

I've been on the fence about renewing my Indy for 2026/2027. I would definitely sign on for another season if that happens.

 

[Zand]

I just hope Bear Den knows what they're doing and aren't expanding too quickly. Wonder how long it will take to get Smuggs onto the Indy Pass.

 

[Smellytele]

and smuggs a nice add to indy

From the article is doesn't come out and say they will be on indy. Definitely not this year

 

[Abominable]

I just hope Bear Den knows what they're doing and aren't expanding too quickly. Wonder how long it will take to get Smuggs onto the Indy Pass.

Smuggs onto the summit pass! Making my first trip to Burke next week.

 

[jimmywilson69]

This is an interesting combo as its 2 mountains everyone should ski but doesn't! Moreso Burke, but there are lots of people who also don't ski Smuggs.

 

[Smellytele]

This is an interesting combo as its 2 mountains everyone should ski but doesn't! Moreso Burke, but there are lots of people who also don't ski Smuggs.

Smuggs is hard to get to for most people.

 

[thetrailboss]

I just hope Bear Den knows what they're doing and aren't expanding too quickly. Wonder how long it will take to get Smuggs onto the Indy Pass.

Yeah, I have the same concern. It sounds as if there are multiple parties involved with Smuggs so BD's exposure may not be as much as we think. That said, it may be a zero-sum game and that means $$$ that would go to Burke are now going to Smuggs.

The obvious issue with Smuggs is the lift situation. That will not be a cheap upgrade.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

Yeah, I have the same concern. It sounds as if there are multiple parties involved with Smuggs so BD's exposure may not be as much as we think. That said, it may be a zero-sum game and that means $$$ that would go to Burke are now going to Smuggs.

The obvious issue with Smuggs is the lift situation. That will not be a cheap upgrade.

do they even want to upgrade? i always got the sense smuggs was deliberately old fashioned and not much interested in keeping up with the joneses. similr to mrg

 

[jimmywilson69]

Even if that's true those lifts are ancient. Parts and just general upkeep have to be continue to be difficult.

 

[thetrailboss]

Even if that's true those lifts are ancient. Parts and just general upkeep have to be continue to be difficult.

This.

 

[thetrailboss]

do they even want to upgrade? i always got the sense smuggs was deliberately old fashioned and not much interested in keeping up with the joneses. similr to mrg

FWIW we discussed it a long, long time ago that Smuggs filed an Act 250 Application in like 2007 or 2008 to replace Sterling with a 6-pack. That never went anywhere due to the financial collapse. So yes in the past, albeit distant past, they did want to upgrade. From what I understood it was always an issue of finding the capital to do these upgrades.

So the big question is will the Willoughby Quad end up at Smuggs?