CHARLEMONT — The Schaefer family announced on Monday that they are transitioning ownership of Berkshire East Mountain Resort and Catamount Mountain Resort to Bear Den Partners LLC, a mountain ownership company founded by Jon Schaefer and Ken Graham.
In a statement, Schaefer, who serves as Bear Den Partners CEO, wrote that his family is still committed to the success of Berkshire East and Catamount, and the transition in ownership would allow them to continue growing in the future. The Schaefer family has owned Berkshire East since 1976, when Roy Schaefer moved his family to Charlemont from Michigan and bought the mountain out of bankruptcy for $1, and Catamount since 2018.
Bear Den Partners also owns Burke Mountain Resort and Smugglers Notch Resort in Vermont. Jon Schaefer’s brother, Jim Schaefer, serves on its board. Jon Schaefer said that the leadership of Berkshire East and Catamount will remain the same.
“This step represents an evolution for my family, not an exit,” Jon Schaefer said in a statement. “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.”
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 and unique identities. 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.
“There’s a big difference between building scale and losing your soul,” Jon Schaefer continued. “Our goal with the Bear Den Alliance is simple: preserve what makes Berkshire East, Catamount, Burke and Smuggs special while strengthening the shared systems that help independent mountains stay resilient for the long haul.”
In a statement, Graham wrote that bringing the mountains together under a single ownership team will allow them to share resources, but maintain their individual character.
“From the beginning, Jim, Jon and I shared a belief that great independent mountains can be stronger together without losing what makes them special,” Graham said. “Bear Den is about bringing together iconic New England ski resorts and giving them the support they need to thrive — while keeping the local character and independent spirit that skiers feel the minute they pull into the parking lot.”