Smugglers’ Notch Resort has sold.
The mountain announced a “collaborative ownership transition” Wednesday that will move ownership from Bill Stritzler to Bear Den Partners, a ski resort operator that also owns Burke Mountain.
The new owners will continue to honor existing season passes, and all employees are expected to keep their jobs, according to the announcement. The resort said it would not disclose financial information related to the sale, which occurred between two private companies.
Located north of Mount Mansfield in Jeffersonville, Smuggs has been independently owned and operated by Stritzler for 29 years.
Stritzler’s daughter Lisa Howe, who has worked as the resort’s CEO, will serve as an “advisor” under the new ownership structure, and the Stritzler family will maintain a stake in the resort, according to a press release.
“We sought out Bear Den Partners as an equity partner because they share our belief that this resort is about families, employees, and community, not trends or shortcuts,” Stritzler said in a statement.
Bear Den Partners purchased Burke Mountain last spring. The ownership group includes Ken Graham, who has long ties to the Northeast Kingdom resort, and Jon Schaefer, the company’s CEO.
“Smuggs represents everything we believe skiing and riding should be,” Schaefer said in a statement. “This is not about changing Smuggs, it’s about supporting what already works, investing thoughtfully, and protecting the experience that families have cherished for generations.”
In an email to season pass holders Wednesday, Stritzler said that Bear Den Partners will be considering ways to enhance the resort, “including mountain lifts and snowmaking, along with potential new trails.”
Unlike ski mountains owned by large corporations such as Vail and Alterra, Smuggs, under independent family ownership, has not invested to the same degree in state-of-the-art lifts and luxury accommodations. Instead, the Lamoille County resort, which sees some of the highest average annual snow totals in the East, has catered to locals and those seeking a more affordable opportunity to hit the slopes.
According to Smugglers’ Notch, pass and ticket prices will remain the same for now.
“Any changes to ticketing, season passes, or operations will be announced only after the transaction is complete and well in advance of the following winter season,” the resort said.
It’s not yet clear whether Bear Den will create season passes that also allow access to the company’s other resorts, though Smuggs said “there will be some crossover programs.”
