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Burke's New Owners and New Start (2025)

Tin Woodsman

Tin Woodsman

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Anyone have a guess where Willoughby would be installed? IIRC, the idea had been to use that lift to serve East Bowl. While that would provide the more reliability in high winds, I'm not sure it ticks the box on "intermediate terrain expansion" given the topography back there, though I'd defer to others more familiar with the mountain on that. If that ends up being the line, I guess one would need to take the T-Bar to access that lift in a higher wind setting?
 
thetrailboss

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Tin Woodsman said:
Anyone have a guess where Willoughby would be installed? IIRC, the idea had been to use that lift to serve East Bowl. While that would provide the more reliability in high winds, I'm not sure it ticks the box on "intermediate terrain expansion" given the topography back there, though I'd defer to others more familiar with the mountain on that. If that ends up being the line, I guess one would need to take the T-Bar to access that lift in a higher wind setting?
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Back in the day Northern Star was considering putting a lift back where the Dipper Poma used to be. This is the “Boarderline” trail. It kind of makes sense because this terrain is underutilized (at least Little Dipper is). That’s one area I can see being considered. That said, From the NEK suggested that they just shorten the Willoughby it’s current alignment so that folks ski Lower Fox’s, Lower Bear Den, etc.

I will be interested in seeing what they do if they do if anything. The idea of “moving” the Willoughby is not new. It’s been around for about 30 years and it has not moved an inch. It’s in pretty bad shape now. I checked it out in 2023 and all of the electrical systems have been ripped out. It will need a new drive and other systems. The chairs are fine. The towers are modified 1960’s era Hall with CTEC cross arms and sheave trains. I’m not sure how much life those will have.
 
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deadheadskier

deadheadskier

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From a cost / benefit standpoint, I think leaving it where is, but shorter makes the most sense. It'll create a nice graduated intermediate pod and also offer at least some chairlift services skiing about Sherb if there's wins or issues with the HSQ.

I'm somewhat against the idea of a lift over in East Bowl. Yes, it would be nice to eliminate most of the long traverse back to the main base. The downside is all those trees getting tracked out much faster. The second downside is maybe then they feel the need to add more groomed terrain for that lift to service and that would likely mean losing a tree run or two to the chainsaws.
 
E

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B-Eastski

B-Eastski

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urungus said:
_

Have you noticed anything at Berkshire East, Catamount, or Bousquet that indicates they are over-extended ? They seem pretty well run to me. If I understand the deal correctly, they will be getting paid to operate Burke and they will not be putting any of their own money into the purchase.
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Is this correct? Jon is listed has a founding member, operator and investor with in this partnership.

 
B-Eastski

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Newpylong said:
The Schaefers should probably stretch themselves out more.
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Jon is doing a great job with all his operations. He has great people on his teams. He would not have gotten involved if he was not sure. They have been working on this since December 2023. We have all known down here in Charlemont this was happening for a while. Burke will be much better off with Jon and his team coming in.
 
thetrailboss

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So there has been a lot of updates here. The Receiver has filed a motion for the Judge to approve the sale. The Motion has a lot of interesting details. The price is $11.5 million. The BMOA has approved the amendment to the Covenants that would allow for Bear Den Partners to run the Hotel. The State has approved transferring the lease to Bear Den partners. The P&S addendums list all of the multiple easements and other properties that are included in the sale. It is interesting how many properties were purchased in 2005 and 2006 under the Ginn regime.

The Motion and P&S: https://jaypeakreceivership.com/wp-...xj3J4_gEYrSu1fehhE_aem_N-pGbXOK1fXoCSdZ7BV2Fw

News coverage: https://vtdigger.org/2025/04/21/bur...pproval-for-11-5-million-sale-to-local-group/

www.wcax.com

Community reacts to potential sale of Burke Mountain

The ski resort caught up in the 200-million dollar EB-5 Kingdom Con, finally has a likely buyer. And locals in the town, are excited for the mountain’s future.
www.wcax.com www.wcax.com
 
thetrailboss

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thetrailboss

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www.northstarmonthly.com

New Burke CEO: The government's watch has ended…a new era begins for Burke Mountain

Employees, pass holders, condo owners, residents and frequent visitors who stuck with this mountain through nine years of limbo, you are rock stars. You made it. For the first time
www.northstarmonthly.com www.northstarmonthly.com


Guest Column

New Burke CEO: The government's watch has ended…a new era begins for Burke Mountain​

By Jon Schaefer, CEO, Bear Den Partners
May 5, 2025

Employees, pass holders, condo owners, residents and frequent visitors who stuck with this mountain through nine years of limbo, you are rock stars. You made it. For the first time in nearly a decade, Burke Mountain isn't the central player in an international investment scandal. But who's counting, right?

Your staying with us is a testament not just to your patience but also to the strength of this community and this region.
What is a community? It's not a tagline or slogan. It's knowing your neighbor will pull you out of a ditch in a snowstorm or share their generator when the power goes out. It's standing by someone when they're down. Through the last decade, you, the staff, guests and pass holders stood by Burke Mountain when it was down. That's community. That's the soul of skiing, and that's Burke.
Lately, in too many parts of the country - some not too far from us - skiing/riding has become some strange facsimile of itself. A corporate transaction versus the inspiring experience that we recall from our childhood. There's a disconnect between what the sport was and what it has become. We've all seen it, and you know exactly what I'm talking about: a resort changes hands, then it changes operating models, and then we all stand around shell-shocked, wondering what the heck happened to the mountain that we felt part of for generations.
As Bear Den Partners (BDP), we’re holding the line against that type of corporate operation. We feel the same love, loyalty and pride you do for Burke. We're just so maniacally committed to fixing the resort that we bought it! For all of us, the long march is over. We are ready to match your love and loyalty with targeted, but substantial investments that will enable Burke to thrive. And we will do it with the same appreciation and passion for Burke’s unique and special character that we know we all share.
Who is BDP? We are the Graham family of Burke (yes, the family who purchased Burke in 2000 as a defensive move to save the mountain from permanent closure), Burke Mountain Academy and my family, the Schaefer family, owners of Berkshire East and Catamount Ski Areas with over 70 years of experience in the ski business. We're excited owners who have been part of Burke for decades. We're skiers, riders, mountain bikers, outdoor families, and independent (and hopefully innovative) ski resort operators. We are owners who love this mountain just as you do. We value what makes Burke special: its people, its place, the history of the Northeast Kingdom, and the power of the Kingdom Trails network. We know that together, we will make Burke shine.
People keep asking, "What are you going to do first?"
Well, we are going after the systemic issues that have plagued the resort for generations to improve what most people do at ski areas: ride lifts up, ride trails down, eat good food and sleep.
How are we going to fix it? A mountain is only as good as its staff, and it's clear the Burke team takes real pride in its work. But let's face it: the staff has been working with one hand tied behind their back. Our job is to support them by refining operations, upgrading systems and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed. Simply put, we're here to make them look good.
First, we're rebuilding the snowmaking system, long underpowered, to deliver more consistent, earlier and better snow. We are doing this within the capacity of our existing water withdrawal permits, but working with some of the best snowmaking minds in the country to do it more efficiently and effectively. And we will do so by saving so much electricity that it will significantly affect the bottom line. More snow faster immediately resolves the turf war over who gets what trail first. And allows us to rebound far faster from weather setbacks. At the same time we will optimize the lift systems and take care of the other deferred maintenance that's been put off for too long. And we'll back our food and beverage and hospitality teams with better systems, more intelligent workflows, and the resources they need to deliver. This summer, we will do all this and more. The work is complex, but the goal is simple: we want you to go up the mountain more reliably, go down as many different trails as possible, eat and drink to your heart's content, and sleep well in the community you call home - even if you live somewhere else.
Our day-one priority is to spend money by attacking core upgrades. But there's so much more to come, more creative ways to optimize the resort, more rehabilitation of old facilities, more bike trails to enjoy, more thoughtful ways to add to the Burke experience, and more chances to talk in person as we shape this new chapter together. We’ll save talk of these ideas for the future.
At Burke, you've seen owners come and go and you've had to consume your fair share of cow manure from them. If you deserve one thing, it’s owners who talk less and do more. That's why we've already put our money where our mouth is before the closing was even certain; BDP accepted the financial risk and purchased the snowmaking equipment that we knew we would need to be ready for November.
We know you’re committed; we’re just saying we are, too. The only thing getting flipped here is the narrative. Burke is one of the great East Coast independent resorts; it just hasn’t had its moment. It is home to one of the most important bike trail networks on the planet, and we couldn’t be prouder to help grow KT on the land the Mountain controls. The NEK is one of the best places to live in the country and you should be proud to call it home. We love it here and we are so excited and thankful to be part of this wonderful community with you.
See you on the slopes (trails),
Jon Schaefer
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B-Eastski

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To our Berkshire East and Catamount pass holders:

You know how much my family cares about independent mountains, about community, and about doing things the right way. We love the hill towns of western Mass because they helped shape us as adults by giving us that awesome mix of great communities, with great adventure sports and filled with great people.

What you may not know is that my wife grew up skiing at Burke Mountain, my bachelor party was at the Kingdom Trails, and ever since I’ve been with her that's been my home too. It is also an amazing community with many of the same ethics as the Berkshire’s. It's been a pretty open secret at Berkshire East and Catamount, but for nearly the past five years I’ve been working on business plans, infrastructure development strategies, and operational plans in order to make a run at buying Burke out of receivership with a great group of partners. It's been an unrelenting passion of mine. That’s why I wanted you to hear it from me first, our team has officially taken over operations at Burke Mountain.

It’s been a long road to get there, but the place is special and it will be a great place for you to visit. It deserves better. And we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. I’m sharing the letter below with Burke’s community today, but I wanted to share it with you too—because you’re part of this story, and part of the reason we can do what we do.

—Jon
 
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Man when I got that "attn passholders" email I was really hoping it was gonna say "come ski Burke this winter" but I guess that's premature. I've never skied there.

At the very least I'd expect some discounts for Catamount / B-East Summit (full package) passholders. Either way, seems like a huge positive step forward for all involved. Hopefully they get a great snow year to start things off right.
 
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