Industry News
Burke Mountain Resort, a staple of Vermont steep skiing and ski racing, is entering a new era. Nestled in the town of East Burke, the mountain is a favorite among locals and elite athletes alike and was recently sold for $11.5 million to Bear Den LLC, a consortium of entities with longstanding ties to the ski resort, the VTDigger reports. With more than 50 trails, glades, and one of the best fall-line pitches in the state, Burke is also home to the renowned Burke Mountain Academy, which counts Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin among its alumni.
On Thursday, April 24, the U.S. District Court approved the sale of the resort, signaling a fresh start after years under federal receivership, where a neutral third party (called a receiver) takes control of a business or property because of legal or financial problems—often involving fraud, insolvency, or mismanagement. In the case of Burke Mountain, the federal government through the courts appointed a receiver after former owner Ariel Quiros was accused of misusing investor funds in a major EB-5 visa fraud case, according to online newspaper Vermont Biz. The receiver’s job was to manage the resort’s assets, keep operations running, and eventually sell the property in a way that could recover as much value as possible for those affected. So in plain terms: Burke Mountain was being overseen by the federal court system—not private owners—until a legitimate buyer could take over and get the mountain back on track.
Under the new ownership, Burke is expected to receive major upgrades, including expanded snowmaking and on-mountain improvements aimed at enhancing the skiing experience. While specific renovation timelines haven’t been announced, community members and skiers are hopeful this transition will restore momentum to a mountain with deep roots in Vermont’s ski culture—and ensure its long-term future as a premier destination in the region.
