SAM Magazine—Jeffersonville, Vt., June 10, 2026—
Smugglers’ Notch Resort appointed Brandon Swartz as its new general manager. Swartz most recently served as general manager of Attitash Mountain and Wildcat Ski Area in New Hampshire.
“Brandon understands that great resorts are built on great people and strong communities,” said Jon Schaefer, CEO of Bear Den Partners, which acquired an ownership stake in Smugglers’ Notch in February. “We conducted a national search with several rounds of interviews for this position. During that process Brandon and I spent a lot of time together. I grew to appreciate him as a person, his background in the industry and his dedication to his family. I feel confident that he is the right person with the right ethics to lead Smugglers’ Notch into the future.”
Swartz began his career in Vermont as a ski instructor at Mount Snow and later a student of ski resort management at Lyndon State College. He has held roles in ski patrol at Burke Mountain, Vt., the race department at Keystone Resort, Colo., lift maintenance at Hunter Mountain, N.Y., and lift operations at Heavenly Mountain Resort, Calif. He went on to lead mountain operations at Wilmot Mountain, Wis., and held his first general manager position at Hidden Valley, Mo., before joining Attitash in 2022.
At Smugglers’ Notch, Swartz will oversee all aspects of resort operations while working closely with employees, homeowners, local businesses, and community partners, according to a press release about his hiring.
“Smuggs’ has built something truly special over the years,” said Swartz. “The culture, the families who return year after year, the dedicated employees, and the connection to the local community are what make this place unique. With the support of Bear Den Partners and the Stritzler family, my goal is to honor that legacy, support the team, and help ensure that the resort continues to thrive for years to come.”
Bear Den Partners emerged in April 2025 to acquire Burke Mountain, Vt., out of receivership. The small group of investors went on to acquire an ownership interest in Smugglers’ Notch from longtime owner/operator Bill Stritzler in February 2026, and then went on to fold Berkshire East and Catamount Resort, Mass., into its operating structure in March 2026 when longtime owners Jon and Jim Schaefer merged their equity into Bear Den, which Jon currently leads as CEO.
