{"id":916,"date":"2026-08-26T14:24:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T14:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thefuzzybutts.com\/?p=916"},"modified":"2026-08-27T15:14:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:14:00","slug":"snowmaking-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thefuzzybutts.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/26\/snowmaking-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"Snowmaking Investment"},"content":{"rendered":"

BEAR DEN PARTNERS ANNOUNCES MAJOR SNOWMAKING<\/strong> INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AT SMUGGLERS\u2019 NOTCH RESORT<\/strong><\/p>\n

Investment will expand snowmaking capacity, improve operational efficiency, and support earlier season terrain availability<\/em><\/p>\n

Jeffersonville, Vermont<\/em> (August 26, 2026) \u2014 Mountain resort operator Bear Den Partners today announced a significant investment in snowmaking infrastructure at Vermont-based Smugglers\u2019 Notch Resort ahead of the 2026\u201327 winter season.<\/p>\n

The investment represents Bear Den Partners\u2019 broader commitment to making strategic capital improvements across its portfolio of independent mountain resorts and its start at Smugglers\u2019 Notch. The company was established in 2025 with a focus on long-term ownership and investment in the people, infrastructure and operations that support each mountain\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

The project will increase snowmaking capacity across the resort\u2019s three mountain faces through the installation of 100 new snow guns, upgrades to pipelines, pumps and valves, increased water distribution from its existing snowmaking supply, and additional mountain operations equipment. Together, the improvements will allow the snowmaking team to operate more equipment simultaneously, take greater advantage of favorable early-season temperatures, and build a durable snow base more efficiently.<\/p>\n

\u201cSnowmaking is fundamental to the way we operate a mountain in Vermont, and this investment gives our team significantly more capability and flexibility,\u201d said Mike McAdoo, Vice President of Mountain Operations at Smugglers\u2019 Notch Resort. \u201cWhen the temperatures are right, we want to be able to take full advantage of those windows.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to increasing snowmaking output, the project is designed to improve efficiency and working conditions for the resort\u2019s mountain operations team. Additional fixed snowmaking equipment will reduce the need to move equipment between trails, while new snowmobiles and additional backup equipment will support crews working across the mountain.<\/p>\n

\u201cSnowmaking is a tough job, and our crew works in some of the most challenging weather in Vermont to make snow,\u201d continued McAdoo. \u201cAnything we can do to make their work more efficient and improve the equipment they have available to them is important. At the same time, those operational improvements translate directly to a better, more consistent skiing and riding experience for our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmugglers\u2019 Notch has a tremendous foundation, an exceptional team and a strong identity,\u201d said Jon Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Bear Den Partners. \u201cOur role as owners is to build on that foundation thoughtfully and strategically. Investing in snowmaking at Smuggs is a fundamental investment in the resort and its future. We expect this to be the first of many meaningful projects that support our skiers and riders, homeowners, and the broader Smuggs community.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeyond Smuggs, we have other projects underway at Burke, Catamount, and Berkshire East this fall, all focused on supporting each mountain\u2019s operations and enhancing the experience for our guests.\u201d<\/p>\n

2026\u201327 Snowmaking Improvements include:<\/strong><\/p>\n