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 is facing backlash as it attempts to rebrand itself an exclusive hub for winter slope stars.

Under a new ownership that has pumped tens of millions of dollars into the Windham Mountain Club renovation, the mountain resort two-hours north of New York City is now offering skiers 'a rare time in rarified air.'

Memberships to the newly upgraded snow spot cost a whopping $200,000 - a price point meant to attract the NYC elite, many of whom began spending more time in the Catskills during the pandemic. Members will also owe $9,000 in annual dues. 

The new ownership group, led by Sandy Beall - Holiday Inn heir and founder of Ruby Tuesday - has pumped some $70million into the re-imagined Windham Mountain Club.

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

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

But Windham locals don't feel quite so optimistic.

Back in September, residents circulated a petition calling upon town leaders to thwart the mountain's makeover.

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

One such example of the resort working toward becoming out of reach for the locals is the overhaul of its culinary options, the quality of which had reportedly waned in recent years.

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

Old membership to the lodge had risen to $125,000 by the time the resort landed in the hands of new ownership. Though, slope access has never been contingent upon being a member and many Windham skiers paid closer to $1,000 a season for ski passes and an additional $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 untenably long.

'I assure people that they will be able to have access to the mountain,' Seamans told the Times.

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

Significant change may arrive during ski seasons to come, but for the current one, mostly things look the same as last year - except now, Saturday skiers must purchase a two-day pass, which may cost as much as $450.

Last year, a single-day weekend lift ticket would only have run about $175. 

Windham, which has heretofore been viewed as a relatively affordable ski town for tri-state residents. 

Local entrepreneurs now wonder if their shops, restaurants, and other businesses will suffer as prices rise perhaps to unattractively high prices for the 'weekenders' who keep their livelihoods afloat.

Others say they're just not sure the type of clientele who would spend $200K on a ski membership are the ones frequenting Windham.

'I don't quite see the appetite for this kind of thing,' said local Josh Fromer, a snowboarding instructor and substitute teachers. 

'These are not the type of people who would spend that kind of money. And if they were willing to spend that type of money to go skiing, they’d be in Verbier or Chamonix or Aspen or someplace like that.' 

But for all the worried residents, there are those who take a sunnier outlook on the upscaled Windham Mountain.

Ryan Gutierrez, 44, told the Times that he's withholding judgement until plans actual take effect. He's excited about the lodge's sushi restaurant and says he's heard good things about the club's new offerings.