"Windham Mountain Club Sparks Controversy with Exclusive $200,000 Memberships"
Windham Mountain Club, an upstate New York ski resort, is facing backlash as it rebrands itself as an exclusive hub for the elite by offering $200,000 memberships and $9,000 in annual dues. The new ownership group has invested $70 million into the renovation, aiming to attract the NYC elite who have been spending more time in the Catskills during the pandemic. However, locals are concerned that the costly membership system will make the ski town inaccessible to them and seal its fate as an enclave for wealthy out-of-town families. The resort's overhaul includes upscale dining options and a business model that aims to limit public access. Some locals are skeptical about the success of this rebranding effort, while others are cautiously optimistic.