Windham Rebrands to “Windham Mountain Club”, Will Remain Open to The Public

This modestly-sized, family-oriented mountain is trying to become to most exclusive public resort in the East.

The old Windham Mountain is no more…so says the resort. In a pivot to try to move upscale, the upstate New York resort has rebranded as “Windham Mountain Club”.

The move comes paired with upgraded restaurants and limits to ticket sales. The new dining options include an “Italian Alps-style” mid-mountain restaurant, an upgraded food court, and a new Mediterranean option at the base. The resort says lift tickets will be capped to provide “uncrowded” slopes, now requiring “2-day minimums” on peak days—however, it will still remain open to the public.

Finally, the resort is introducing a revamped private members’ club offering. The club will include family programming, a spa and gym, and an exclusive restaurant called “The Windham”, among other things.

Ironically, the resort previously made the decision to move away from requiring reservations for Ikon pass holders, which are eligible for either 5 or 7 days at the mountain this season. It’s unclear whether the 2-day lift access minimum will apply to Ikon visitors, or whether the reservation requirement will be reinstated at any point.

Our Take

Rumors have swirled about Windham moving upscale for years—and the resort has subtly already been doing that, charging absolutely insane lift ticket rates of up to $175 during peak weekends and holidays. But now, the resort seems to be really playing into the “exclusive club” vibe—and trying to pull the types of clientele that would otherwise go to Deer Valley, Beaver Creek, or Aspen, but may live in New York and want something more convenient.

Windham isn’t a horrible regional mountain, but to think that there’s a market for a luxury club resort in the Catskills, of all places, seems like wishful thinking. The new restaurants seem nice, and perhaps capacity limitations will allow Windham to address its peak-time lift line issues. But with just a 285-acre skiable footprint and a very basic terrain layout, the resort has a lot of work to do to get high-class clientele to take it seriously as a luxury destination—and as a place to make a sizable investment on a private club membership.

Considering a ski trip to Windham this year? Check out our comprehensive Windham mountain review.