McCloud, California – If Mt. Shasta Ski Park has a great snow year, you can thank Mother Mary.
Yesterday, Mt. Shasta Ski Park announced that it has installed a statue of Mother Mary at the summit of Douglas Butte. Called “Our Lady of Mt. Shasta,” the statue is in honor of former owner Ray Merlo, who bought the ski area in 2017 but died in 2020 due to terminal cancer. Merlo had two primary goals during his ownership tenure: expanding onto Gray Butte (which opened during the 2022-23 season) and building this statue. Robin Merlo, the present-day owner and the spouse of Ray, moved forward with these projects.
This statue became part of our country’s culture wars last year after Ski Park showed its plans for the top of Douglas Butte. Some people didn’t like this idea, as they didn’t want to see a religious figure in a supposedly secular place. A petition was even started to stop the statue from being installed. Some opposition may have come from confusion. While parts of Mt. Shasta are on private land, the ski area itself is on private property. This resulted in FOX Business interviewing Ski Park GM Jim Mullins last year about the decision.
Ultimately, I’m okay with the decision. I’ll disclose that I have Christian beliefs, but I’m not practicing. Sorry, God, I’m too busy shredding frozen granular in New England on Sundays. However, I object to placing religion where it doesn’t belong.
This project is there to honor Ray Merlo’s legacy. My opinion would be different if it were on public land, but it’s not. I believe this statue is a touching tribute to someone who helped grow Mt. Shasta Ski Park. As Mother Mary (his mom, not the religious figure) once said to Paul McCartney, Let It Be.
Image/Video Credits: Mt. Shasta Ski Park, FOX Business
