Haystack Mountain Ski Area

The ski area comprises three major sections: the lower mountain, upper mountain, and The Witches. The lower mountain is entirely beginner terrain. The upper mountain has intermediate and advanced terrain. The Witches is advanced terrain except for an intermediate run down the west (or “back”) side.

File:Haystack ski area, Haystack Pond, Witches, Barnstormer.jpg

The ski area's largest lift, The Barnstormer, is a Doppelmayr six-person, detachable lift, with a protective bubble. The Barnstormer serves the upper mountain, and takes skiers from the clubhouse to the summit of Haystack Mountain.{{cite web |url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/new-quicker-warmer-lift-at-the-hermitage-club,152384? |title=New quicker, warmer lift at the Hermitage Club|last=Mays |first=Chris |date=11 January 2016 |publisher=The Brattleboro Reformer }} The Tage lift, a Skytrac quad, on the north side of the ski area, brings skiers from the Hermitage Inn to the upper mountain.{{cite web |url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/hermitage-club-proposes-lift-replacement-at-haystack,338068 |title=Hermitage Club proposes lift replacement at Haystack|last=Mays |first=Chris |date=30 July 2014 |publisher=The Brattleboro Reformer }} The Stags Leap lift, also a Skytrac quad, serves the lower mountain and connects the lower mountain to the upper mountain, with an optional mid-point exit at the top of the lower mountain. The Witches lift, a CTEC triple, serves The Witches area of the mountain.

Members have access to an 80,000-ft² clubhouse with a bar, restaurant, game room, bowling alley, and movie theatre. The clubhouse also includes a spa, gym, and lockers for members to keep ski equipment. There is a 2,700 ft² mid-mountain cabin, with a 900 ft² wrap-around porch, and a restaurant and bar.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alysonkrueger/2015/12/29/heres-where-to-host-an-epic-dinner-party-and-sleepover-on-a-ski-mountain/#32e1f5a6e4aa |title=Where To Host An Epic Dinner Party (And Sleepover) On A Ski Mountain|last=Krueger |first=Alyson |date=29 December 2015 |work=Forbes }}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}

Alpine skiing on Haystack Mountain has been offered through a range of different approaches.

• 1964–2005 Public ski area
• 1964–1981 Independently operated (Haystack Corp / AMI){{cite web|last=Krueger|date=March 22, 1985|title=Ass'n of Haystack Property v. Sprague|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/vermont/supreme-court/1985/83-222-0.html|publisher=Justia US Law}}{{cite web|last=Keese|first=Susan|date=October 25, 1987|title=NORTHEAST NOTEBOOK: Wilmington, Vt.;For Haystack, Liftoff at Last|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/25/realestate/northeast-notebook-wilmington-vt-for-haystack-liftoff-at-last.html|work=The New York Times}}
• 1981–1985 Closed
• 1985–1991 Independently operated (The Haystack Group)
• 1991–2005 Operated by Mount Snow (leased 1991–1994, purchased in 1994)
• 2005–present Private ski club
• 2005–2011 Closed (privately owned, but never opened){{cite web|last=Edwards|first=Bruce|date=March 31, 2005|title=Local group buys Haystack Ski Area|url=https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local-group-buys-haystack-ski-area/article_1947603a-7ea8-572c-9169-36e090f9ad2d.html|publisher=Rutland Herald}}
• 2011–2018 Operated under Jim Barnes' ownership{{cite web|last=Berry|first=Deb|date=February 20, 2014|title=The $75-Million Ski Resort That's Changing The Way East Coasters Hit The Slopes|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3026560/the-75-million-ski-resort-thats-changing-the-way-east-coasters-hit-the-slopes|publisher=Fast Company}}
• 2018–2020 Closed (chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings)
• 2020–present Member owned and operated{{cite web|last=Audette|first=Bob|date=March 20, 2020|title=Member group wins Hermitage with $8M bid|url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/member-group-wins-hermitage-with-8m-bid,600385|publisher=Brattleboro Reformer}}

File:Ski Haystack patch from the late 60s.jpg from the late 1960s]]

Haystack Mountain Ski Area was first opened to the public in December 1964, by the Haystack Corporation. The area provided access to 76 acres of trails and slopes. The mountain had 4 T-bars servicing the lower mountain novice area with a three-story base lodge, called “The Stack,” at the top of the novice area.{{Cite news|last=Buckman|first=Dave|date=December 3, 1964|title=Vermont Offers Two New Ski Areas This Season|work=Windsor Journal|type=Ski Supplement}} The Stack was, “designed in the jet-set style of the day, with an elaborate ski shop, cafeteria, dining room, cocktail lounge and a wine and cheese shop.” The ski area's president, Herbert Hart, was quoted as saying, “All the brains of the area were pooled to come up with an answer on how they could have a wine shop and bar under the same roof. You aren’t supposed to have both. The solution was simple. The cork is pulled from the wine bottles as they are sold. The wine is consumed on the premises.”{{Cite news|last=Goerlach|first=Lee|date=January 7, 1966|title=Trail Sweep|page=6|work=Bennington Banner}} The upper mountain had a 2,700 foot double chairlift which took skiers halfway to the summit. Three buses—Root, Toot, and Wisle—took skiers between The Stack and bottom of the upper mountain chair lift.{{Cite news|date=February 19, 1966|title=Transportation at Haystack...|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}} Jack Manton was the general manager, and Bruce Gavett was in charge of the ski school with Bob McCafferty as his assistant. Bill Colombo was the manager of engineering.{{Cite news|date=December 19, 1964|title=Haystack: Vermont's Newest Ski Area|page=3A|work=Bennington Banner}}

During the 1965 ski season, the Haystack Corp. added a 5,600 ft long chairlift that took skiers all the way to the peak, opening up new trails, and bringing the trail count to 18. A nursery for young children ages 3 to 7 was also added.{{Cite news|date=December 20, 1965|title=Haystack Boasts 18 Trails|work=Bennington Banner}} Dick McLernon, the area's PR director, said in 1965 the area had broken all previous records for December gross income, “Business started increasing the day after Christmas and became better each day. Wednesday was our biggest day, but even so it was only about 65 per cent of our record day last March when we had more than 10,000 people here. A good weekday crowd here is about 3,000 and the weekend crowd averages between eight and ten thousand.” At the time the area offered a family weekend ticket for $38, and a $30 weekend package which included two lessons a day.

A 1960s ski area map, archived by New England Ski History project, shows the lower mountain trails as Haymaker, Pitchfork, Skid Row, Fanny Hill, Cascade, and Tunnel. The upper mountain trails as Flying Dutchman, Hayseed, Shaft, Needle, Last Straw, Rocker, 007, Haywire, Outcast, Upper Dutchman, Avalanche, Last Chance, The Stump Jumper, and The Oh Noooooo.{{Cite web|title=1985-86 Haystack Trail Map - New England Ski Map Database - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com|url=https://www.newenglandskihistory.com/maps/viewmap.php?id=941|access-date=September 1, 2020|website=www.newenglandskihistory.com}}

In May 1966, E. H. Lord-Wood Associates of Hartford, CT presented the master plan design and rendering for the ski area at a local town meeting. The Brattleboro Reformer described the plan as, “encompassing the entire Haystack development in a central village, includes a hotel, theater, shops, lodges, motels, clubs and various year round recreational facilities.{{Cite news|title=Haystack Mt. Work Begins}}

In July 1966, Jack Manton was replaced as the area's GM by William Palumbo. Manton returned to his real estate business in New Jersey but continued in his role as vice president and development manager of Haystack{{Cite news|date=July 5, 1966|title=Haystack Names New Manager|page=15|work=The North Adams Transcript|location=North Adams, Massachusetts}} Before the 1966 ski season opened, an 1,800 foot transfer lift was added to transport skiers from the lodge to lifts at the base of the upper mountain. The cocktail lounge in the base lodge was expanded as well.{{Cite news|date=October 29, 1966|title=Haystack Area Now Easily Accessible|work=Bennington Banner}}

In 1968, Haystack was recognized for their work teaching the handicap to ski, and as one of the first ski areas to teach the blind to ski. As the Brattleboro Reformer tells it, a Sunday school teacher asked Gavett if she could bring her class to ski Haystack, but noted one of the boys in the class, Chris Peppel, was blind. Gavett was undeterred and had his ski instructors prepare by skiing the mountain blindfolded. Peppel was able to ski the entire mountain with an instructor as a guide. As their expertise in this area grew, they hired Jim Gardner, an amputee, as a ski instructor. As a result, Haystack had seven blind, four deaf, and five amputee skiers regularly skiing the mountain. Gardner lauded Gavett for his selfless work in this area.{{Cite news|date=March 18, 1968|title=Haystack Receives Undesired Praise For Teaching of Handicapped to Ski|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}} Throughout Gavett's time at Haystack he was recognized many times for his success with making skiing accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.{{Cite news|date=September 15, 1970|title=Sightless Skier Tells of Training|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}}{{Cite news|date=March 8, 1972|title=Haystack Specializes Teaching Handicapped|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}}

In 1969, William Thomas (W. T.) Cullen joined the ranks of Haystack Corp. Cullen had been president of Chimney Hill Corp., the {{convert|700|acre|adj=on}}, 700-lot vacation home development adjacent Haystack Mountain. Cullen believed Haystack's success was hampered by the lack of overnight accommodations and restaurants near Haystack, especially as compared with Mt. Snow. Under Cullen's leadership, the corporation completed an 18-hole golf course in 1971, and sold $11M in property between 1970 and 1973.{{Cite book|last=Region|first=United States Forest Service Eastern|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YT8SFbXCtY4C|title=Land use plan for the Deerfield River area: Green Mountain National Forest|date=1977|publisher=Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Eastern Region|language=en}}

In 1971, Palumbo resigned as Haystack GM to work full time for Mueller Skilift Corp. He had been distributing and installing lifts for Mueller on a part-time basis while at Haystack.{{Cite news|date=March 5, 1971|title=Palumbo Leaving Post At Haystack|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}} Gavett was promoted to GM to replace him.

In the late 60s, Vermont started paying closer attention to the rapid expansion of land use in the state. This eventually led to the passage of Act 250, putting a microscope on Haystack's growth plans. While many lots had been sold, both Haystack and the Chimney Hill developments' sewers and water lines had not yet been completed. Plans previously approved by the town were called into question.{{Cite news|last=Page|first=Virginia|date=October 30, 1975|title=Environmental hearing enriches Haystack confusion|work=Bennington Banner}} This was made more complex when existing sewer work was halted because Haystack's primary lender and mortgage holder, Associated Mortgage Investors (AMI), entered bankruptcy proceedings. Several lawsuits followed, including one accusing the Haystack Corporation of misrepresenting the development's progress.{{Cite web|title=Ass'n of Haystack Property v. Sprague|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/vermont/supreme-court/1985/83-222-0.html|access-date=September 1, 2020|website=Justia Law|language=en}} This led to AMI taking over operations of Haystack in 1974, eventually putting it into bankruptcy in 1976.{{Cite news|date=July 12, 1976|title=Haystack Bankrupt|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}}

The ski area continued operations through bankruptcy and receivership. In 1979, the Tri-Mountain Leisure Group (TLG) leased and then operated Haystack Ski Area. TLG also owned Roundtop ski area in northern VT. TLG operated it through the 1980/1981 season, but with Roundtop also struggling, and no credible offers on the table for Haystack Ski Area, AMI was forced to shut it down.{{Cite news|date=September 29, 1979|title=Business Briefs|work=The Burglington Free Press}}

The area remained closed until 1985 when Don Tarinelli and a group of investors formed The Haystack Group{{Cite web|date=May 18, 1984|title=HAYSTACK GROUP, INC.|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_vt/0094320|access-date=September 1, 2020|website=opencorporates.com}} and bought the area and its assets for $850,000. Don Tarinelli was the former president of the Stratton Mountain Ski Area and had retired to nearby Jamaica, VT. The Haystack group spent an estimated $7 million updating and repairing the ski area.{{Cite news|last=Keese|first=Susan|date=October 25, 1987|title=NORTHEAST NOTEBOOK: Wilmington, Vt.; For Haystack, Liftoff at Last|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/25/realestate/northeast-notebook-wilmington-vt-for-haystack-liftoff-at-last.html|access-date=September 1, 2020|issn=0362-4331}} They replaced two double chairs with new triple lifts, and invested more than $1 million in snowmaking infrastructure.{{Cite journal|last=Blair|first=Don|date=November 1984|title=The Stack is Back|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9Qn7jXaoX5AC&q=Tarinelli+double+triple&pg=PT41|journal=Skiing|pages=275E|via=Google Books}} The Haystack Group also expanded the ski area's footprint by adding a CTEC triple lift to the eastern side of the mountain—an area they called the Witches. This new section added three new advanced trails named Gandolf, Merlin, and Cauldron. The Haystack Group also started a new condominium community near Chimney Hill called Spyglass Village.{{Cite journal|last=Rosenthal|first=Susan|date=February 1990|title=A Smokin' Stack|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f5fADRiOgkQC&pg=RA1-PA29|journal=Ski|pages=1E, 2E, 7E|via=Google Books}} While these improvements upgraded the ski experience, the ski resort could not attract enough skiers to overcome the debt from the large infrastructure investments, and so filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 1991.{{Cite journal|last=Curtin|first=Irwin|date=December 1992|title=The Odd Couple|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l-aqmlAzwwQC&q=spyglass&pg=PA227|journal=Skiing|pages=1E, 5E, 8E|via=Google Books}} 44,000 skiers visited Haystack during 1990–1991 ski season—the last it would be an independently operated public ski area.{{Cite news|last=Prince|first=Bonney|date=September 7, 1991|title=Creditor's lawyers fight hard against Haystack-Mount Snow Deal|page=1,6|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}}

Shortly after the bankruptcy filing, the court granted Haystack's motion to allow nearby Mount Snow to lease its properties for three years at $312,000 per year, with the option to purchase the resort for $2.5 million. Haystack's largest creditor, The Marble Bank, was owed more than $4M, and called the plan, "woefully inadequate," suggesting the sale price undervalued Haystack.{{Cite news|last=Bandler|first=James|date=September 11, 1991|title=Haystack Lease Deal OK'd|page=1|work=Rutland Daily Herald}} While deliberation on the bankruptcy reorganization terms continued in court, the lease moved forward. Mt. Snow took over the operation of Haystack, renaming the resort, "Haystack at Mount Snow." The two mountains were promoted together, with trail counts and snow reports often combined.

During the three-year lease, Mount Snow went through a contentious permitting process for an 2.8 mile, 18" water pipeline from Haystack's Mirror Lake snowmaking reservoir to Mount Snow. Even Governor Howard Dean weighed in on the controversy, angering some.{{Cite news|last=Dillon|first=John|date=August 22, 1993|title=Dean's Signing for Mt. Snow Stirs Anger|page=1|work=Rutland Daily Herald}} On October 1, 1993, Mount Snow received the permit necessary for the pipeline.

On October 21, 1993, the judge dismissed Haystack's bankruptcy case citing incomplete financial disclosures as evidence that the assets should not continue to be run under current management.{{Cite news|last=Smallheer|first=Susan|date=October 22, 1993|title=Judge Dismisses Haystack Case for Bankruptcy|page=1,16|work=Rutland Daily Herald}} So working directly with the bank, on June 22, 1994, S-K-I Ltd. acquired Haystack for $4.35M.{{Cite news|date=June 23, 1994|title=Mt. Snow Buys Haystack|page=7|work=Bennington Banner}}

In 1996 S-K-I Ltd. merged with LBO Resort Enterprises, forming the American Skiing Company. The American Skiing Company (ASC) would soon hit financial troubles, resulting in the scaling back of operations at Haystack. By the end of its ownership of Haystack, ASC limited operations to weekend and holiday periods.

On June 27, 2005, a group of investors led by Robert Foisie, purchased the Haystack Ski Area from ASC for $5 million. Foisie planned to develop a private member-only resort that included ski, golf, and other amenities. The project was marketed under the name The Haystack Club.{{cite court|litigants=802 Creative Partners Inc.|court=State of Vermont Superior Court|date=March 4, 2011|url=https://www.vermontjudiciary.org/sites/default/files/documents/2011-4-11-1.pdf|access-date=February}}{{cite web |url=https://www.telegram.com/news/20170327/wall-and-main-wpis-40m-donors-failed-vt-resort |title=Wall and Main: WPI's $40M donor's failed Vt. resort|last= Cohan |first=Peter |date=March 27, 2017 |publisher=telegram.com }} Foisie planned to invest $450 million into the resort, adding full snowmaking capabilities, new lifts, and ample real estate offerings. David Dillion, the president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association, was hired as the president of the new venture.{{Cite news|date=January 26, 2006|title=Head of ski area association takes job at Haystack Club|page=5|work=The Burlington Free Press}} A gatehouse was added at the entry to the resort and the existing base lodge was gutted. The club planned for 900 members, with 200 members as the initial goal. Only 50–60 were sold—the price of membership was never disclosed.{{Cite web|last=Edwards|first=Bruce|date=October 22, 2006|title=$450 million Haystack renovation begins|url=http://www.rutlandherald.com/articles/450-million-haystack-renovation-begins/|website=Rutland Herald}}{{Cite news|last=Madden|first=Darry|date=December 28, 2006|title=Haystack Club beings marketing push as work continues at resort|page=9|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}} In early 2007, the project was put on hold and employees laid-off.{{Cite news|last=Haskell|first=Sabina|date=January 11, 2007|title=Developer postpones Haystack Club project|page=1|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}} There is no evidence the ski area ever opened. In September 2007, the group applied for an Act 250 master plan permit, which could give potential partners additional detail on the vision. The project now included Bob Rubin as an executive VP. The plan included two 80+ unit condominiums, a 162 unit hotel with restaurant, and 118 townhomes. The results of the permit application were not available.{{Cite news|last=Orne|first=Nicole|date=September 28, 2007|title=Haystack Club seeks Act 250 master permit|page=1,6|work=The Brattleboro Reformer}}

In 2011, Jim Barnes, purchased the ski area and the adjacent golf course for $6.5 million. Barnes had purchased the nearby Hermitage Inn in 2007. Barnes rebranded the club, The Hermitage Club at Haystack Mountain, and the golf course, The Hermitage Golf Course. The Hermitage Club first opened for the 2012–2013 ski season.{{cite court| litigants=State of Vermont, by and through the Office of the Attorney General| court=STATE OF VERMONT SUPERIOR COURT| date=February 2015 |url=https://ago.vermont.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Hermitage-Complaint.pdf|}}

Barnes expanded the amenities provide by the ski area:

• In November 2012, a building was added to the base of the upper mountain to be used by the mountain ski patrol and restrooms for members, necessary for it to operate for the 2012–2013 season.
• Two buildings were added to the summit to be used as a warming hut and additional ski patrol office.
• Approximately 20 single family homes and condos were built and sold between 2011 and 2014.
• Mirror Lake, the water reservoir for snow making, was enhanced to allow for summer recreation in 2014.
• Between August 2012 (broke ground) and January 2015 (opening) a clubhouse was built at the base of the upper mountain. It was approximately 80,000 sq. ft. and included facilities for members (gym, spa, video game room for kids, lockers for ski equipment, food services, etc.).
• The Barnstormer, the lift from the base of the upper mountain, to the peak of the upper mountain, was upgraded to a new high speed six person lift with a protective bubble manufactured by Doppelmayr. The lift uses 22 lift towers, travels 5,236 feet to the summit, and has 88 detachable chairs. The new lift more than halved the time to the summit. The lift was opened on January 2, 2016, and reportedly cost $7.5M.{{cite web |url=https://vtdigger.org/2016/01/11/hermitage-club-launches-7-5-million-heated-six-person-detachable-bubble-lift-system/ |title=Hermitage Club launches $7.5 million heated 'bubble' lift system|last=Mays |first=Chris |date=January 11, 2016 |publisher=VTDigger }}

The TV show, The Bachelor, filmed four episodes at the Club that were aired during the 2018 Winter Olympics.{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/02/21/vermont-ski-club-where-bachelor-filmed-goes-up-for-auction/|title = Vermont ski club where 'Bachelor' filmed goes up for auction|date = February 22, 2020}}

In 2015, the Vermont Attorney General's Office and other governmental agencies filed a lawsuit against the club. The group allegedly performed construction activities without land use permits, performed construction activities without a storm water permit, constructed a building without a wastewater and potable water supply permit and disturbed a wetland without approval.{{cite web|url=http://www.reformer.com/news/ci_27596920/hermitage-club-charged-permit-violations|title=Hermitage Club charged with permit violations}}

Barnes ran into financial difficulties in 2018. In February 2018, Berkshire Bank initiated bankruptcy proceedings as Barnes failed to meet his obligation to make payments on three loans.{{cite web |url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/hermitage-facing-foreclosure,533096 |title=Hermitage facing foreclosure|last=Mays |first=Chris |date=February 25, 2018 |publisher=Brattleboro Reformer }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.dvalnews.com/view/full_story/27547385/article-Bank-files-for-foreclosure-on-Hermitage-properties?instance=secondary_stories_left_column |title=Deerfield Valley News – Bank files for foreclosure on Hermitage properties |access-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035006/http://www.dvalnews.com/view/full_story/27547385/article-Bank-files-for-foreclosure-on-Hermitage-properties?instance=secondary_stories_left_column |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |url-status=dead }} Following this, in March 2018, the Vermont Department of Taxes shut down the club due to non-payment of taxes.{{cite web |url=https://vtdigger.org/2018/03/20/state-shuts-hermitage-club-unpaid-taxes/ |title=State shuts down Hermitage Club over unpaid taxes |date=March 20, 2018 |publisher=VTDigger }} On July 26, 2019, a Vermont judge granted a motion Friday to convert the bankruptcy case to a Chapter 7 liquidation allow for a sale of the club's assets to move forward, thus ending Jim Barnes ownership of the club.{{cite web |url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/hermitageassets-will-be-sold,580682 |title=Hermitage assets will be sold|last= Mays |first=Chris |date=July 28, 2019 |publisher=Brattleboro Reformer }}

Civil lawsuits followed, include one accusing Barnes of fraud and seeking to recoup more than $2 million for townhouses that were never built.{{cite web|last=Audette|first=Bob|date=March 29, 2018|title=Consumer Fraud? Hermitage founder sued by club members|url=https://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/consumer-fraud-hermitage-founder-sued-by-club-members,535817?|publisher=Bennington Banner}}

On March 20, 2020, a group of 181 former members purchased the club and associated assets at auction for $8.06 million.{{Cite web|last1=Mays|first1=Chris|last2=Reformer|first2=Brattleboro|title=Hermitage sale closes, members look ahead|url=https://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/hermitage-sale-closes-members-look-ahead,604804|access-date=August 26, 2020|website=The Bennington Banner|date=May 15, 2020 |language=en}} The purchase included the ski mountain, ski lifts, clubhouse, the Haystack Golf Course, several inns and some undeveloped parcels of land. The member group outmatched multiple competing bids including those from a real estate development firm headquartered in California and a Michigan-based ski resort operator.{{Cite web|last1=Mays|first1=Chris|last2=Reformer|first2=Brattleboro|title=Potential Hermitage buyer identified|url=https://www.reformer.com/stories/potential-hermitage-buyer-identified,594866|access-date=August 26, 2020|website=The Brattleboro Reformer|date=January 16, 2020 |language=en}} The member owners formed a non-profit owning entity, Hermitage Members Group (HMG), which describes itself as "a member-owned entity established to own and operate the Hermitage Club as a private, four-season, family-friendly ski resort on Haystack Mountain."

The club is run by a volunteer board. Bill Benneyan is the executive director and general manager. Benneyan led the club reopening and then day-to-day operations.{{Cite web|title=Travel & Tourism: In a winter unlike any other, Vermont's ski resorts face the unknown {{!}} Vermont Business Magazine|url=https://vermontbiz.com/news/2020/october/12/travel-tourism-winter-unlike-any-other-vermont%E2%80%99s-ski-resorts-face-unknown|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=vermontbiz.com}}

HMG sold assets purchased in the auction that were not critical to the ski experience:

• Haystack Golf Course was sold to John Cleanthes in June 2020{{Cite web|date=June 4, 2020|title=Haystack golf tees up reboot|url=https://www.dvalnews.com/news/haystack-golf-tees-reboot|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=The Deerfield Valley News|language=en}}
• Doveberry Inn was sold to Tim Ryan in June 2020{{Cite web|last=Reformer|first=Chris Mays, Brattleboro|title='Where there's chaos, there's opportunity': Doveberry Inn reopens|url=https://www.benningtonbanner.com/local-news/where-theres-chaos-theres-opportunity-doveberry-inn-reopens/article_8698b484-9011-11eb-a39b-eb53d403c4b2.html|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Bennington Banner|date=March 28, 2021 |language=en}}
• Snow Goose Inn was sold to Cheryl and Jon Parker in 2020{{Cite web|date=July 15, 2021|title=New innkeepers use their previous experience to help Snow Goose soar|url=https://www.dvalnews.com/business-features/new-innkeepers-use-their-previous-experience-help-snow-goose-soar|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=The Deerfield Valley News|language=en}}
• Horizon Inn was sold to Jennifer Betit-Engel and Christian Engel in October 2020{{Cite web|last=Reformer|first=Chris Mays, Brattleboro|title=Horizon Inn purchased with 'big visions'|url=https://www.reformer.com/local-news/horizon-inn-purchased-with-big-visions/article_89773508-22d0-11eb-ac3c-c3d5b10fd22d.html|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=Brattleboro Reformer|date=November 13, 2020 |language=en}}
• Hermitage Inn was sold to Tim Hall and Mary Lou Ricci in April 2021{{Cite web|date=July 1, 2021|title=New owners of Hermitage Inn look to offer five-star experience|url=https://www.dvalnews.com/business-features/new-owners-hermitage-inn-look-offer-five-star-experience|access-date=January 18, 2022|website=The Deerfield Valley News|language=en}}
• The Hayfever lift, a Poma triple, was dismantled and sold to Bousquet Mountain in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.{{Cite web|date=November 12, 2020|title=Club plans to get members safely on slopes|url=https://www.dvalnews.com/news/club-plans-get-members-safely-slopes|access-date=January 19, 2022|website=The Deerfield Valley News|language=en}}

The club re-opened for the 2020–2021 ski season.

As of December 2021, membership had grown to over 300 members.{{Cite web|last=Reformer|first=Chris Mays, Brattleboro|title=Ski resorts open for the season|url=https://www.reformer.com/local-news/ski-resorts-open-for-the-season/article_ac53a348-4ee6-11ec-8f5d-c336794c74bc.html|access-date=January 7, 2022|website=Brattleboro Reformer|date=December 2, 2021 |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.nelsap.org/vt/haystack.html Haystack Page at the New England Lost Ski Area Project]

Category:Buildings and structures in Wilmington, Vermont

Category:Wilmington, Vermont

Category:Ski clubs

Category:Ski areas and resorts in Vermont