Burke's Bear Den Partners Expand Again

[thetrailboss]

Vermont's The North Star Monthly is reporting that Bear Den Partners have now taken an ownership stake in Berksire East and Catamount. Frankly, I am not surprised. With the Burke acquisition and then the Smuggs purchase, it seemed to me that the Schaefers and Grahams were working together very well and that this was just the next step of the evolution.

The resorts will operate under the Bear Den Mountain Alliance, a network of independent mountains that share resources, operational expertise and long-term capital while maintaining local leadership, unique identities and guest experiences. Current owners remain actively involved. Senior leadership will continue, including Berkshire East general manager Andy Cornish, Catamount general manager Mark Smith and Melissa Roberts, chief financial officer for both mountains.

"This step represents an evolution for my family, not an exit," Bear Den Partners CEO Jon Schaefer said. "This merger is about securing the future of two great, independent mountains by building an enduring structure that allows them to thrive for generations to come. Our family remains deeply invested in both resorts and in Bear Den Partners as a founding partner."

Berkshire East and Catamount join Bear Den Partners

Berkshire East Mountain Resort and Catamount Mountain Resort have joined Bear Den Partners, the independent mountain ownership group founded by lifelong skiers and mountain owners Ken Graham and Jon Schaefer.

www.northstarmonthly.com