Maine Ski Resort Sold to Boyne Resorts

Shawnee Peak in Maine announced a shocking ownership change on Friday, as the family-run resort has been sold to Boyne Resorts. Shawnee Peak is the state’s oldest operating ski area. It features forty trails, seven glades, six lifts, and 98% snowmaking coverage on 225 skiable acres of terrain. The resort also features the largest night skiing network in New England. An interesting possibility comes from the change: With Boyne Resorts mountains being on the Ikon Pass, Shawnee Peak could soon join the pass as well in the future.

The move comes after a decade of big changes. According to New England Ski History, their Summit Triple opened in the 2010-11 season with a conveyor loading system, after being originally at Loon Mountain. In 2014, the Rabbit Run chairlift was replaced by a fixed-grip triple. This offseason, Shawnee spent big on snowmaking. A new magic carpet was added in 2017. The mountain “purchase of HKD SV-10’s for Kancamangus as well as the installation of the Klik semi-automated hydrant on both Kanc and the Horn. We will now have 4 primary trails with the Klik system, allowing us to open trails faster. Additionally, we will be installing 4 permanent HKD tower fans on the Main and East Slope. Lastly (!), we are laying specialized power to mid-station, to assist with snowmaking and for future opportunities.” Other improvements in the availability of fourteen single home lots on Little Mountain, new equipment purchases for their ski and snowboard rental department, food and beverage improvements, SkiHot will be running their ski shop for the winter, and a new Wifi network and eCommerce shop is being added.

Future expansion could be in the cards for Shawnee Peak as well. For years, their trail maps featured “Future Expansion” on the steeper West Side of the mountain. The mountain decided to invest in real estate and new lifts on the mountain instead. With Boyne Resorts not being shy with expanding and investing in the mountains they own (I.E. Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and others), exciting changes could be in the future for Shawnee Peak.

Shawnee Peaks’ official statement is below. You can read Boyne Resorts’ statement here.

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“Mountain Stewardship Update, from Chet:

Dear Friends of Shawnee Peak,

I hope that everyone is well and enjoyed a wonderful summer with family and friends!

Today, I am writing this email with very bittersweet feelings. I recently turned 71 and realized how much of my life and my family’s life has been committed to the stewardship of Shawnee Peak at Pleasant Mountain over the last 27 years. It has been full of fun times, yet not without many challenges at this awesome ski area!

Despite rumors since my first year of ownership in September 1994, I have never solicited nor received an interest in taking over my stewardship of this great ski area. At a recent casual lunch with industry friends, one mentioned if you ever were to consider a transfer of stewardship we would be very interested. I was caught off-guard, but after discussion with my family we agreed to pursue only if the interested party was upfront with a fair offer, would provide enhanced employee opportunities, continue with capital improvements each year and continue the family-friendly atmosphere that I think we have established. They agreed.

I am excited to announce that we have completed a transaction with Stephen Kircher and Boyne Resorts, a 100% family-owned organization. I know they will maintain the special family vibe of Shawnee Peak. Geoff will still retain a very visible role for the near future.

This was a very difficult decision for our family, especially me, yet I look forward to many more years of friendship and skiing together. I also realize I need to make some time for my four grandsons while I can still out run / out ski them, but also help them!

My family is so lucky to have built such great friendships with employees and passholders, many whom have been loyal supporters of Shawnee Peak for all 27 years and then some! Thank you all!

Shawnee Peak has a great future under the stewardship of Stephen Kircher and his family.

Sincerely,

Chet”