How to buy a mountain – the story of Shames
02/2025
Shames is a story of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Facing closure in 2008, with no prospects of purchase on the horizon, the community banded together to create the first co-operative model in Canada. My Mountain Co-op, made up of local individuals, businesses, societies, and corporations worked together to purchase the mountain in 2011 and operate the hill as a community. Today, a decade later, Shames continues to remain open and serves as a model for local resorts across the globe.
Across North America, mom-and-pop ski areas are vanishing under mounting financial pressure, rising operational costs, and competition from large resorts. Once the heart of local winter culture, these small, family-run hills have struggled to modernize their aging infrastructure and attract a shrinking pool of skiers as many often opt for luxury destinations. Their decline leaves voids in local communities, where they’ve long been hubs for affordable recreation and community bonding.
Shames Mountain in British Columbia faced a similar fate in the early 2010s. Unable to continue as a privately-owned operation, the ski area teetered on the edge of closure. But rather than let their beloved mountain disappear, the local community came together, transforming Shames into Canada’s first non-profit, community-owned ski co-op.
“It's one of the most unique ski resorts in the world. I wouldn’t even call it a ski resort though; it’s more like a ski place.”
“I think it can serve as a model for small hills across America, maybe across the world.”
The Shames Mountain Co-Op thrives on a model that prioritizes access, sustainability, and local engagement. Memberships, volunteerism, and input from shareholders—most of whom are community members—keep operations running smoothly. Locals organize fundraisers, contribute time to maintenance, and even assist with trail grooming. This shared sense of ownership fosters a deep connection to the mountain, ensuring its survival for future generations.
The co-op’s success highlights a sustainable alternative to the pressures of corporate consolidation, demonstrating that by empowering local communities, small ski areas can thrive as vibrant cultural and recreational centers. Shames Mountain isn’t just surviving—it’s a beacon of resilience and community-driven innovation in a changing industry.
