FABIUS, NY – The Attorney General of the state of New York slapped Intermountain Management with an antitrust lawsuit after the developer purchased Toggenburg Mountain outside Syracuse, New York. The company already owned nearby Song and Labrador Mountains at the time of their purchase.
According to reporting from the Syracuse Post-Standard, “Attorney General Letitia James said Intermountain eliminated its only competition in the region when it bought Toggenburg for $2.25 million in August 2021 and shuttered it in a move to force more business to its other properties. James’ lawsuit said Harris and Intermountain then went a step further to lockdown the ski and snowboard business around Syracuse when it restricted Toggenburg’s deed to block future owners from using it as a ski area. James is seeking to force Intermountain to sell one of its properties.”
In addition, Attorney General James today ended an illegal agreement between the owner of Greek Peak Mountain (Greek Peak), John H. Meier, and Intermountain that prohibited Mr. Meier from competing with Intermountain or hiring any of its employees,” an AG press release crowed. “As a result of a settlement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Mr. Meier is required to pay $195,000 to the state and will cooperate with the litigation against Intermountain.”
Meier also runs nearby Greek Peak, regarded as the best of the four Syracuse area skiing and snowboarding venues. The $195,000 is allegedly disgorgement of the proceeds he would have cleared from the sale.
Intermountain’s President and CEO Peter Harris defended the company to the Post-Standard shortly after the announcement.
“Central New York’s population has declined steadily since 1980. Like every other industry, consolidation has occurred based on population and demand,” Harris said to the Post-Standard. “Skiers who formerly traveled to Toggenburg now have access to a broader array of better-equipped facilities and amenities which can be sustained and supported.” Harris also claimed the area didn’t have the workforce to support the ski areas either.
Locals were incensed when the deal was announced, correctly predicting the closure of Toggenburg to direct traffic to other nearby mountains. Social media, and in particular skiing and snowboarding, accounts buzzed like South African vuvuzelas, with much vitriol directed at the deal.
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