Dear Friends,

It’s now been a week since we closed lift operations at Shames Mountain for the 2023-2024 ski season. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our community.

In a season where adverse weather conditions could have brought our co-op to a state of insolvency, you were there for us. You showed up to ski in the rain, attended our events and brought friends. You sponsored said events, recognizing their value as well as the visibility they provide. You supported our efforts to lean into the beginner experience when we were forced to shut down our chairlift. You even reached out with financial support, unprompted, when it was becoming apparent this was going to be a tough winter. To all of you, thanks from the bottom of our hearts.

Reflecting on what we accomplished this season, we believe our future is brighter than ever. As most of you know, the 2022-2023 season was a financially difficult one requiring significant changes. During this ski season, we executed the changes developed following last year’s end of season member survey and subsequent pricing committee recommendations. This plan was shared with our membership during our Virtual Town Hall meeting in June and recapped in our JULY 2023 MEMO.

The plan was ambitious, it required buy-in from our entire community: individuals, businesses big and small, and local government. We are very proud of how we succeeded in delivering it.

• We reduced our operating days to 4 days a week instead of increasing lift ticket prices.
• We hosted more EVENTS and entertainment to add value for our guests.
• We developed new products and revenue streams such as Facility Rentals, Tubing Passes, Doggy Passes, T-bar Unlimited and Uphill Products, Next Step and Top Step lesson programs, and Junior F&B items. 
• We improved our communications and member engagement through various committees, webpage news items, email subscriptions and Facebook/Instagram posts.
• We developed the Best Friend 2.0 for events and program sponsorships.
  • BEST FRIEND 2.0 THANKS

On a personal note, I need to extend thanks to my senior management team. This team is the group leading the day-to-day ski hill operations and they are doing an incredible job. Because of them and their various department heads, I was able to focus on “steering the ship”. For the first time in 13 years at MMC-Shames Mountain, I was also able to ski with my kids at Shames every single Saturday. Words cannot describe what that meant to me and my family. Gigantic thanks go out to April, Robin and Mike, and the entire team that made Shames the success it was this year.

The future will not be easy, but that has never stopped us before, nor does it change how bright it looks now. Together, with our membership and community behind us, we will accomplish great things. MMC-Shames will continue to serve our community while remaining true to co-op’s cornerstones of Affordability, Sustainability, Innovation and Collaboration.

Ski you soon everyone, have a great Spring.

Christian Theberge,