Brooklyn Boro

Letitia James targets Upstate ski resort monopoly

October 24, 2022 Rob Abruzzese
Share this:

New York State Attorney General Letitia James has taken aim at a pair of Upstate ski resorts and sued them for unlawful, monopolistic and non-competitive business practices.

The lawsuit is against Intermountain Management, which owns and operates two resorts – Labrador and Song Mountains. The AG’s Office has accused the company of purchasing its main competitor, Toggenburg Mountain, only to shut it down and direct skiers to its own resort.

Intermountain is owned by partners Peter Harris and Richard Sykes.

In addition, the AG’s Office also reached an agreement with the owner of Greek Peak Mountain, who had formed an illegal agreement with Intermountain not to hire any of its employees. The settlement requires the owner of Greek Peak, John H. Meier, to pay $195,000 to the State and Meier has agreed to testify against Intermountain in the AG Office’s suit.

Subscribe to our newsletters

“Intermountain tried to freeze out competitors to increase its profits and dominate the region’s ski market. Today we are taking action to end these illegal arrangements and protect workers, skiers, and consumers,” said Attorney General James. “Monopolies are not a game. They harm consumers, drive up prices, and limit workers’ opportunities. Intermountain’s greedy behavior left skiers out in the cold all so they could line their own pockets and be on top of the ski market.”

Meier had sold Toggenburg Mountain to Intermountain in August 2021. Intermountain immediately closed the resort and eliminated jobs after purchasing it, and the illegal non-compete kept those former employees from seeking jobs at nearby resorts. Shortly after the purchase, Intermountain publicly announced that it would sell the property with a deed restriction barring future buyers from using the mountain as a ski resort ever again.

As part of the lawsuit, the AG’s Office wants Intermountain to sell one of its resorts and rescind its illegal non-compete agreement. It is also requesting monetary relief for Toggenburg customers, and civil penalties for its illegal business practices.


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment