Tuesday, August 18, 2015, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
In an August 18 Alpine Update, Magic Mountain announced season pass sales have been temporarily suspended so that an ownership and management change can take place.
As originally reported on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com on July 7, former Vice President of Marketing at Magic Geoffrey Hatheway formed Ski Magic LLC on May 6, 2015. Meanwhile, property owner Thomas Barker's Magic Mountain Resorts, LLC, which operated the cash-strapped area during the 2014-15 season, was quietly terminated as a Vermont business entity on March 16, 2015. Magic Mountain remained in operation through April 18.
Hatheway was Vice President of Marketing at Magic from June of 2011 through September of 2014 before departing for New York based Indelible Planet. According to his LinkedIn profile, the 1981 Dartmouth College graduate "[b]uilt record skier visit and revenue years in both 2013 and 2014 by uniquely positioning Magic as an enthusiast mountain with a retro, laid-back, community ski vibe" as head of marketing and sales.
According to the Alpine Update, "the new owners will honor all season passes purchased this year," and "[w]hen the purchase happens, the new company will offer new passes for sale at what would traditionally be "early bird" spring pricing as a way of thanking you for your patience during this tranistion [sic]."
The Alpine Update goes on to state, "[b]e assured that the new ownership group is committed to not only a purchase of Magic but a long-term investment in its infrastructure to improve your ski experience (more snowmaking and fully operational lift system)."
Located in Londonderry, Vermont, Magic Mountain was originally opened in 1960-61 by Hans Thorner. In recent decades, the area has been plagued by financial problems, including a 6 year closure during the 1990s. Magic currently advertises a 1,700 foot vertical drop serviced by two chairlifts.
