Catamount Mountain Resort is a four-season destination nestled on the New York / Massachusetts border.( Courtesy of Catamount)
Schaefer sees this as a way to compete directly with his previous success. While Catamount, under his family’ s stewardship, has thrived with upgrades and reliable operations, Burke has languished for far too long under receivership.“ Catamount was beating Burke, then our goal is to flip that this year,” he laughs, noting that the friendly rivalry between the family resorts underscores a serious commitment to elevate Burke from a state of“ deferred maintenance” to a position of competitive strength..
Back Where It All Began
At the Bear Den this winter, the birthplace of the deal, beers will clink and laughter will echo away from the hum of the mountain outside. All the partners agree that what’ s unique about the Bear Den and Burke is the community.“ I know for the BMA staff and visitors, that ' s a really important thing, to be able to go there on a Friday night with friends and colleagues and just have a beer and decompress or go ski for a couple runs and have a beer,” says Booker.“ And that ultimately is a big part of the indescribable environment that we ' re trying to create up here. Of course, there needs to be development in order for the mountain to be financially viable, but we want to do it in such a way where those really important aspects of the community aren ' t ruined.” Burke Mountain will rise once again, rugged and snow-dusted, standing tall against the winter sky because its people raised it together. n
Come Home for Christmas
Historic Property Tours
Holiday Concert & Sing-Along featuring Albany Pro Musica Chamber Singers
NEW!
Celebrating 36 Years of Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas!
DECEMBER 6 & 7, 2025
Main Street Recreation with holiday music, antique cars, Santa & his reindeer, and more
Holiday Markets Winterlights
All event tickets must be purchased online in advance.
For tickets and more information, visit mainstreetatchristmas. com.
Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce 413.298.5200 | 50 Main Street | PO Box 224 | Stockbridge, MA
92 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday 2025