Mountain Creek has new principal owner

VERNON — More than a year after being brought in to manage Mountain Creek’s ski-related business, a company under the direction of a Vernon native has negotiated a controlling interest in the resort.
SNOW Operating, led by Chief Executive Officer and Vernon native Joe Hession, have reached an agreement with Mountain Creek Resort, Inc. and the Koffman family to acquire a controlling interest in the facility.
In September of 2017, SNOW Operating was brought in to maintain Mountain Creek’s ski-relating business and has been operating all of the resort’s business since June under a separate agreement.
“We are very excited to be taking a larger role in Mountain Creek’s current and future well-being,” Hession said. “Our Mission is to enhance the lives of our team, guest and partners by building lasting connections and we are honored to serve the Mountain Creek community.”
SNOW Operating’s plans remain similar to those when the company took over management of the resort’s operations. It will continue to focus on its core business in a financially responsible way.
““The team at SNOW Operating has proven themselves to be very capable operators over the past year,” said Jeffrey Koffman, a partner at Mountain Creek. “We are very excited about working with them at Mountain Creek for years to come, and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial partnership for all.”
Hession, who is taking over as the CEO of Mountain Creek Resort, got his start in the resort business at Mountain Creek before he founded SNOW Operating.
The agreement is still subject to approval from bankruptcy court, the acquisition is part of the plan to enable Mountain Creek to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and put it in position to invest in further improvements to the mountain and surrounding area.
Mountain Creek filed in July to relieve itself of its debt $28 million sewer debt to the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority, which has a $40 million debt to the Sussex County MUA. The matter is still in negotiation.
“One of the resorts biggest partners is the town of Vernon and I feel confident we will come to a resolution that works for both the town and the Resort,” Hession said. “Vernon is my hometown and I recognize that Mountain Creek needs the town and local support and I also understand the town does best when Mountain Creek is strong and healthy.”