Northeast — Over the past year, a new independent skiing company has been slowly building its presence in the Northeast. In April 2025, it purchased Vermont’s Burke Mountain Resort, taking it out of a federal receivership. Last month, they announced a deal to purchase Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Vermont. The group, which was founded by businessman Ken Graham and ski industry veteran Jon Schaefer, is now expanding into Massachusetts and New York.
Today, Bear Den Partners announced that it will take over Berkshire East in Massachusetts and Catamount in New York/Massachusetts. Both ski resorts are run by the Schaefer family, meaning Jon has been involved in the operations of both mountains.
For more information on the acquisition, check out the press release by Bear Den Partners below.
BERKSHIRE EAST AND CATAMOUNT RESORTS JOIN BEAR DEN PARTNERS TO ADVANCE A SHARED VISION FOR INDEPENDENT MOUNTAINS
Schaefer Family Continues at the Helm of Both Mountains
Charlemont, Mass. (March 23, 2026) – Berkshire East Mountain Resort and Catamount Mountain Resort today announced that they are joining Bear Den Partners, the independent mountain ownership group founded by lifelong skiers and mountain owners Ken Graham and Jon Schaefer.
The partnership brings the Schaefer family’s owner-operated resorts into the growing Bear Den mountain family alongside Vermont’s Burke Mountain and Smugglers’ Notch, pairing continued local leadership with shared operating resources and a shared commitment to preserving the authenticity, independence, and community spirit of Northeast ski areas.
Berkshire East and Catamount will continue to operate under their existing leadership structure. The Schaefer family—led by brothers Jim and Jon Schaefer—has owned and operated Berkshire East since 1976 and Catamount since 2018. Additionally, Jon serves as CEO of Bear Den Partners while Jim serves on its board.
Founded in 2025, Bear Den Partners acquired Burke Mountain Resort in April 2025 and, on February 11 of this year, announced a collaborative ownership transition with Smugglers’ Notch Resort.
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, unique identities and guest experiences. Current owners remain actively involved. 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.
“This step represents an evolution for my family, not an exit,” explained Bear Den Partners CEO Jon Schaefer. “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.”
Berkshire East is a year-round, mountain resort located in Charlemont, Mass. In the winter, the mountain offers 45 trails of day and night skiing and riding. In summer, it features a full activity center including the world-class Thunder Mountain Bike Park, zipline adventures, an aerial adventure park, and Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort. Known for its independent spirit and commitment to sustainability, Berkshire East is the world’s first ski area to produce 100% of its electricity on-site through wind and solar energy.
Located on the border of South Egremont, Mass. and Hillsdale, NY, Catamount Mountain Resort offers authentic New England year-round adventure. In the winter, the mountain is known for approachable, all-abilities skiing and riding on 44 trails, night skiing, and a snow tubing park. In the summer, Catamount offers zipline tours, scenic chairlift rides, an aerial adventure park, and is a stunning wedding and event venue.
The Schaefer family arrived at Berkshire East in 1976 in a packed station wagon, when Roy Schaefer moved his family from Lansing, Mich., to Charlemont, Mass., after buying the resort out of bankruptcy for $1. His tenacity, focus and grit sustained the mountain through more than three decades as a small ski area. In 2007, his son Jim, one of the original station wagon passengers, bought out the Brown family, Roy’s longtime business partner. For the past 20 years, Jim has led the growth of both resorts, positioning them to thrive in a highly competitive regional market.
“I have been a Wall Street banker for 31 years and my investment focus has always been these ski areas and the communities that surround them,” said Jim Schaefer. “Twenty years ago, it became my mission to ensure that Berkshire East and then Catamount and their surrounding communities not only survived, but thrived. There is nothing else better in life than skiing and the lifestyle around it, so that’s where my heart has lived since we arrived in Western Massachusetts in 1976.”
“There’s a big difference between building scale and losing your soul,” continued Jon Schaefer. “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.”
“From the beginning, Jim, Jon and I shared a belief that great independent mountains can be stronger together without losing what makes them special,” said Ken Graham, co-founder of Bear Den Partners. “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.”
About Bear Den Partners
Bear Den Partners is an independent owner and operator of alpine ski and snowboard resorts including Burke Mountain and Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont, and Berkshire East and Catamount Resorts in Massachusetts. Rooted in a guest-first, community-centered philosophy, Bear Den Partners supports independent mountains through long-term ownership, shared operating expertise, and access to long-term capital. Bear Den exists to ensure that independent mountains not only survive but thrive by investing in what matters most: people, place, and the enduring soul of skiing and riding.
Image Credits: Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Catamount Mountain Resort
