Windham Mountain Club faces huge backlash as it targets New York’s elite with $200,000 memberships and  promises of ‘a rare time in rarified air’ after $70M revamp – while furious locals say they feel priced out

An upstate New York ski resort faces adversity as it tries to transform itself into an exclusive hub for winter sports stars.

Under a new owner who has poured tens of millions of dollars into renovating Windham Mountain Club, the mountain resort two hours north of New York City now offers skiers “a rare time in rarefied air.”

Membership at the newly upgraded snow patch cost a whopping $200,000 — a price intended to attract NYC's elite, many of whom began spending more time in the Catskills during the pandemic. Members also owe $9,000 in annual dues.

The new ownership group, led by Sandy Beall – heir to Holiday Inn and founder of Ruby Tuesday – has pumped about $70 million into the revamped Windham Mountain Club.

Chip Seamans, the ski area's longtime president, told the New York Times that the Catskills are “hot” and “happening now.”

“Sandy Beall and his partners saw that and wanted to be part of it.”

The small ski town, two hours north of New York City, is seen as a relatively affordable weekend destination for residents of the tri-state

But Windham locals aren't so optimistic.

In September, residents circulated a petition calling on city leaders to thwart the mountain's makeover.

“This is a bad plan for everyone,” reads the petition, which argues that the expensive new membership system will seal the ski town's fate as an enclave for just a few wealthy out-of-town families.

An example of how the resort is working to move beyond the reach of locals is the overhaul of its culinary options, the quality of which had reportedly declined in recent years.

The revamped resort will include an upscale sushi restaurant and an Italian eatery, where a plate of spaghetti and meatballs will cost guests $30.

The lodge's old membership had increased to $125,000 by the time the resort fell into the hands of the new owner. Access to the slopes, however, has never been dependent on membership, and many Windham skiers paid nearly $1,000 per season for lift passes and another $1,000 for locker rentals.

The sleek resort still sells lift tickets, but ultimately the goal of the business model is to limit public access — in recent years, lift lines had become unsustainably long.

“I assure people they will have access to the mountain,” Seamans told the Times.

But locals, and even those who have been loyal seasonal visitors for years, don't quite believe it.

There could be significant changes during upcoming ski seasons, but for the current season, things look largely the same as last year — except now Saturday skiers must purchase a two-day pass, which can cost as much as $450.

Last year, a weekend lift ticket would have only cost about $175.

The resort, which has been given a $70 million facelift by its new owner, exudes a very different atmosphere this ski season

This year the Saturday ski passes are more than 100 percent more expensive than last year

Members of the Windham Mountain Club pay a membership fee of $200,000 and an annual dues of $9,000, which is expected to increase as more amenities become available

The city's economy relies largely on tourist activities during the winter skiing season and the summer hiking season

“I don't really see the interest in this kind of thing,” says local Josh Fromer, a snowboard instructor who isn't sure Windham is the right local for an upscale ski club.

Windham, which until now has been seen as a relatively affordable ski town for residents of three states.

Local business owners are now wondering whether their stores, restaurants and other businesses will suffer as prices rise to what may be unattractively high prices for the “weekenders” who keep their livelihoods going.

Others say they're just not sure that the kind of customers who would spend $200,000 on a ski membership are the ones visiting Windham.

“I don't really see the interest in this kind of thing,” said local Josh Fromer, a snowboard instructor and substitute teacher.

'These aren't the kind of people who spend that much money. And if they were willing to spend that kind of money to go skiing, they'd be in Verbier or Chamonix or Aspen or something.”

But for all the concerned residents, there are also those who have a sunnier view of the scaled-up Windham Mountain.

Ryan Gutierrez, 44, told the Times he is deferring judgment until the plans actually go into effect. He's excited about the lodge's sushi restaurant and says he's heard good things about the club's new offerings.