Burke Mountain: New ownershop, major upgrades and a clear path for ward for skiers and riders

After 9 years In Receivership Burke Will “Come Out Swinging”

BURKE, VT – After nine years in limbo, Burke Mountain and is hitting the ground running with new owners, The Bear Den Partners (BDP). The group, consisting of the Burke Mountain Academy, the Schaffers, and the Murphys, laid out plans for a series of capital projects that should perk up the ears of skiers and riders everywhere. Topping the list: snowmaking.

“Snowmaking is in pretty exception shape actually,” said Ken Graham, a principal investor with BDP. “Theres a ton of high quality snowguns on the hill and the pipelines are in good shape. We just need to boost the power within the snowmaking system.”

Work to increase the power of the existing system is already underway, with plans for a first round of updates to be completed for the 2025-26 season (BDP aims to eventually triple the system’s snowmaking capacity). Unleashing the potential of Burke’s snowmaking capability would allow the ski area to extend its season, lay down more snow faster, and solidify the ski resort’s presence in new and existing markets.

“Burke has two major metropolitan areas, Boston and Montreal, in three hours’ drive—that’s 8.6M people,” says Murphy. “For people looking to experience authentic Vermont and authentic Northeast Kingdom, it’s worth the extra drive.”

BDP’s reoccurring theme was revitalizing—not revising—the ski area. Through community collaboration, BDP aims to foster a “unified Burke,” expanding the draw of the entire region as a year-round destination.

“This isn’t just a change in ownership—it’s a restoration of pride,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners and owner of Berkshire East and Catamount. “We’re matching the community’s loyalty with real, targeted investments that will allow Burke to thrive.”

“There are a lot of great locals that have joined us here today, and that was really important to all of us,” added Murphy. “This is a community effort. That’s what a great ski business is.”

The group finalized its $11.5 million purchase on May 2, ending nearly a decade of federal oversight stemming from the EB-5 investment fraud case.

What’s Coming for the 2025-26 Season

➤ Expanded Snowmaking Capacity

Schaefer emphasized that the group’s top priority is rebuilding the snowmaking system to triple its capacity. The improvements include new pumps, modernized infrastructure, and energy-efficient technology designed to deliver more snow, more quickly—and with lower electricity use. “More snow faster immediately resolves the turf war over who gets what trail first,” he said, “and allows us to rebound far faster from weather setbacks.”

➤ Lift System Upgrades and Maintenance

Schaefer also outlined plans to optimize lift operations and address deferred maintenance—both long-standing challenges under previous ownership. The goal: improve reliability so guests spend more time skiing and less time waiting.

➤ Hotel and Hospitality Enhancements

According to Burke General Manager Kevin Mack, the Burke Mountain Hotel, which opened in 2016, has been a “game-changer” for the resort. Bear Den Partners plans to build on that foundation, supporting food and beverage teams with better systems and smarter workflows to improve the overall guest experience.

➤ Behind-the-Scenes Improvements

Schaefer noted that much of the resort’s potential has been held back by outdated systems. “The staff has been working with one hand tied behind their back,” he said. “Our job is to support them by refining operations, upgrading systems, and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.”

A MESSAGE FROM JON SCHAEFER, CEO, BEAR DEN PARTNERS 

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

CEO, Bear Den Partners