Brodie Mountain may Rise Again: $200 Million Plan Unveiled for "Premier" New England Resort

After lying dormant for more than two decades, the storied slopes of Brodie Mountain are poised for a massive $200 million transformation. As first reported by Jane Kaufman of The Berkshire Eagle, a group of Florida-based investors has unveiled a conceptual master plan to turn the abandoned ski area into a luxury four-season destination.

Brodie was a ski resort in New Ashford, Massachusetts, in the Taconic Mountains in the far northwestern part of the state. It opened in 1964 and thrived for a time by using then-cutting-edge innovations like top-to-bottom snowmaking and lighted night skiing.

Founder Jim Kelly gave the resort an Irish theme: its nickname was "Kelly's Irish Alps";the slopes had names like "Shamrock," "Killarney," and "JFK"; and the base lodge housed an Irish-themed bar that did a rousing business in drinks and live music. But like many small independent ski areas, Brodie lost business over time to larger, higher-capitalized, corporate-owned resorts.

In 1999 the Kellys sold it to the owners of nearby Jiminy Peak, who closed Brodie in 2002 and sold it to a Texas-based condominium developer. The area continued to operate snow tubing, in conjunction with Jiminy Peak, through the 2006–07 season.

With a vertical drop of 1,250 feet and four chairlifts, Brodie is the largest closed ski area in the Berkshires.

The ambitious project, spearheaded by Brodie Mountain Development LLC, aims to recapture the spirit of the mountain once known for its "Irish Green" slopes while evolving it into the “premier all-season mountain resort in New England.”

A New Alpine Village: Irish Themes and Modern Luxury

At the heart of the proposal is a vibrant base area designed as a year-round hub for tourism and residential living. The plan calls for 438 housing units, meticulously distributed to accommodate various demographics:

• Hospitality: 160 hotel rooms and 54 multifamily units.

• Residential: 60 luxury townhomes.

The "Christmas Village": A unique centerpiece featuring 24 units nestled within an "Irish-themed Christmas village," a nod to the mountain’s historical roots under the Kelly family.

Complementing the housing is 96,500 square feet of commercial space. Preliminary ideas for the village include a boutique brewery, a European-style thermal spa, high-end retail shops, diverse restaurants, and an amphitheater for weddings and banquets.

Reclaiming the Mountain

The revitalization isn't limited to the base area. The plan envisions a robust return to mountain recreation:

• Skiing: Four new lifts are proposed to carry skiers up the slopes, alongside dedicated trails for cross-country skiing.

• Summer Operations: The resort would transition into a mountain biking destination during warmer months, with trails designed to connect directly to the existing Shaker Ridge Trails.

• Upper Mountain Lodge: A new summit lodge is planned, featuring a restaurant and an observation deck offering panoramic views of the Berkshires.

Navigating "The Jiminy Restriction"

While the vision is grand, it faces a significant legal hurdle. When Jiminy Peak owners purchased and subsequently shuttered Brodie in the early 2000s, a 30-year deed restriction was placed on the property, prohibiting commercial, lift-served downhill skiing.

Todd Oifer, one of the four principal investors, addressed this challenge during a recent Planning Board meeting. Oifer noted that the group is considering options such as operating as a private ski club or simply timing the construction phases so that the resort is ready to open to the public just as the restriction expires in the early 2030s.

“By the time you develop something like this and build it out, it’s going to take quite a while anyway,” Oifer told the board.

Community Concerns and Infrastructure

The proposal has sparked both excitement and skepticism in New Ashford, a town with limited infrastructure. Community members have raised questions regarding the town's ability to support such a large-scale development:

• Public Safety: The local fire department currently lacks a ladder truck capable of reaching the upper floors of the proposed larger buildings.

• Education & Transit: New Ashford does not have its own school, and residents have expressed concerns about the costs of transporting potential new students to neighboring districts.

Despite these hurdles, the developers have pledged to work closely with the town and state to ensure the project provides a significant economic boost to the region.

"Everybody knows Brodie Mountain," Oifer said during the presentation. "We’ve got big plans for it. Brodie’s going to be back."