{"id":470,"date":"2025-04-02T10:04:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T10:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/facesjournal.com\/?p=470"},"modified":"2025-04-02T10:04:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T10:04:00","slug":"sandy-beall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/?p=470","title":{"rendered":"Sandy Beall"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Chairman of New York\u2019s premier mountain resort on transforming Windham Mountain Club into a year-round luxury destination.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/WMCheadshot-696x92289-1-226x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/><\/div>\n<p>With its unique public-private model and a vision for year-round luxury, Windham Mountain Club is reshaping what a modern mountain retreat can be. Located in New York\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/elitetraveler.com\/design-culture\/real-estate-catskills-doesnt-get-better-than-eagles-nest\">Catskill<\/a> Mountains, just a short drive from Manhattan, over the past year, the resort has undergone a transformative rebranding under the leadership of Sandy Beall \u2013 renowned hospitality visionary and co-founder of Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain.<\/p>\n<p>Elevating its offerings beyond winter sports, Windham Mountain Club is now a premier four-season destination, blending world-class hospitality with outdoor adventure. With an eye toward thoughtful expansion, exclusive partnerships, and an emphasis on family-friendly experiences, it is setting a new standard for mountain retreats.<\/p>\n<p>To learn more about this next chapter, <em>Elite Traveler<\/em> sat down with Beall to discuss his vision, the club\u2019s latest enhancements, and what makes Windham truly special.<\/p>\n<p><em>[See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/elitetraveler.com\/travel\/travel-news\/four-seasons-vail-review\">Four Seasons Resort Vail: European Charm Transports to Colorado<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uat.elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/WindhamMountainClub1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-241831\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Windham Mountain Club is New York&#8217;s premier mountain resort in the Catskill Mountains \/ \u00a9Windham Mountain Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Windham Mountain Club has a unique public-private setup. How does this benefit both members and the general public, and what makes this approach special?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sandy Beall: Windham Mountain Club was inspired by the opportunity to create a multi-generational resort focused on families, with great weather and endless amenities within a beautiful, quiet, protected mountain setting. Operating as public-private gives us the flexibility to offer something for everyone. Whether it\u2019s a day trip with friends, a weekend getaway with family, or a long-term investment in a membership that lets you create lasting memories, this model ensures we can deliver the ultimate experience tailored to each guest\u2019s needs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>What inspired the recent rebranding of Windham Mountain Club, and what does it aim to represent moving forward?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Windham has always been a special place \u2014 charming, welcoming, and home to an incredible community. Its proximity to New York City makes it uniquely positioned for something more, something truly exceptional. With Windham Mountain Club, we saw an opportunity to elevate the experience, not just on the slopes but across the entire mountain and beyond. By investing in world-class hospitality, elevated accommodations, amenities, and year-round programming, we\u2019re creating a true four-season destination. Moving forward, Windham Mountain Club will represent a refined yet adventurous year-round retreat that sets a new standard for mountain living.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uat.elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/WindhamMountainClub-2560x1440.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-241832\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">&#171;Windham has always been a special place \u2014 charming, welcoming, and home to an incredible community&#187; \/ \u00a9Windham Mountain Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>With new upgrades and amenities for the 2025 season, what are you most excited for guests and members to experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Everything, really. Since last season, we\u2019ve seen incredible enthusiasm for our dining offerings. Whether it\u2019s a Greek salad, homemade chicken salad on a fresh croissant, a freshly made burger or homemade pizza at Foodhall, sushi at Okami, authentic mid-mountain Italian dining, or a meal at our Windham Grill Dinner House, we\u2019re serving up something for everyone \u2014 always with the level of quality we hold ourselves to.<\/p>\n<p>Our members have also embraced the new wellness offerings, from bespoke massages and facials at our spa to our 5,000-sq-ft luxury gym with dedicated fitness classrooms, as well as the Recovery Lab, where they can receive personalized health assessments designed to support their active lifestyles.<\/p>\n<p>But what I\u2019m particularly excited about is what\u2019s coming this summer \u2014 the opportunity for members and guests to fully immerse themselves in nature. Whether it\u2019s hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing, clay shooting, golf, or enjoying a scenic outdoor dinner after an adventurous day, these experiences will take full advantage of the landscape and embody what Windham Mountain Club is all about: elevated adventure, relaxation, and hospitality, all in one place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you balance creating an intimate atmosphere and close-knit community while still welcoming new guests and members?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s at the heart of what makes Windham Mountain Club special. As a premium year-round resort destination, we\u2019re intentional about preserving an elevated, uncrowded, and intimate experience, whether you\u2019re here for a weekend or as a longtime member. We cap daily lift tickets to ensure the mountain never feels overcrowded, and our hospitality is high-touch in all the right ways. We also thoughtfully curate events that bring people together \u2014 live apr\u00e8s-ski music, family fireworks shows, collaborations with local vendors \u2014 ensuring that every visit feels both personal and welcoming.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uat.elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/CinCin2-2560x1708.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-241833\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chin Chin is one of seven food and beverage options available \/ \u00a9Windham Mountain Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Windham Mountain Club is expanding beyond just a winter destination. What are some of the year-round activities and experiences members can look forward to?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Starting in May, members can enjoy guided horseback riding, clay shooting, fly fishing, a robust hiking program, and a kids\u2019 camp \u2014 plus special cultural programming that brings in unique speakers, events and experiences you won\u2019t find anywhere else in the Catskills. Next year, we\u2019ll be unveiling a new aquatics and racquet center, followed by a Fazio-designed golf course for members in 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>As part of this next chapter of Windham, you\u2019ve partnered with luxury brands to offer exclusive experiences. How do these collaborations elevate the guest experience, and can we expect to see Windham Mountain Club evolving with similar partnerships in the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Partnerships are a key way we elevate the experience at Windham Mountain Club, bringing in brands that align with our values, members and guests. A great example is our partnership with Aman New York for <em>Adventures on the Slopes <\/em>\u2014 a luxury city-to-summit day trip that offers Aman guests an unparalleled alpine experience. These collaborations allow us to offer something truly special, blending world-class service with exclusive access. Looking ahead, we\u2019re excited to explore partnerships that complement our vision and benefit our members.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>[See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/elitetraveler.com\/travel\/wellness-travel\/best-wellness-hotels-colorado-utah\">The Best Wellness Hotels in Colorado and Utah<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uat.elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/TheTerrace2-min-2560x1708.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-241835\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Terrace \/ \u00a9Windham Mountain Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>You&#8217;ve had great success with Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain. Does your approach at Windham Mountain Club differ from what you established at Blackberry \u2013 are there any shared principles that tie these projects together?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve had many successes in hospitality over the last four decades and while each business is unique, the core philosophy is the same. Thoughtful hospitality, a deep connection to place, land and nature, attracting and building a great team and creating experiences that feel both elevated and personal for the entire family. Last, it is a long game, a passion to create something special. At Windham Mountain Club, we\u2019re bringing that same attention to detail, exceptional service, and sense of community, but tailoring it to the energy and spirit of the Mountains of New York.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What sets Windham Mountain Club apart from other luxury mountain resorts, both in the Catskills and beyond?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The protected mountain land of the area, the outstanding weather year-round, the historic town of Windham and its community, to name a few. There\u2019s more to do than any guest would have time for, all at a premium level and within an easy two and a half hour drive from the wealthiest popular New York area market.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your long-term vision for Windham Mountain Club, and how do you see it evolving in the next 5 to 10 years?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It will be the place to go for families all year, but even more in the Spring, Summer and Fall for world-class experiences, whether adventures, wellness, skiing, golf or the best kids\u2019 camp. Our vision is to offer memorable experiences across all seasons \u2014 from skiing and golf to wellness, rejuvenation and strategic partnerships. Our long-term vision also includes expanded real estate options for members, which we\u2019ve already begun. As we evolve, I\u2019m committed to making Windham Mountain Club a place guests will return to year after year.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uat.elitetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/03\/WMC_FF_EDITED-27-2560x1708.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-241834\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Expanding beyond a winter destination, Windham offers a range of nature-based activities year-round \/ \u00a9Windham Mountain Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.windhammountainclub.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">windhammountainclub.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>[See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/elitetraveler.com\/travel\/travel-news\/adults-only-hotel-yellowstone-opening-jackson-hole\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adults-Only Hotel Yellowstone to Open in Jackson Hole<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Chairman of New York\u2019s premier mountain resort on transforming Windham Mountain Club into a year-round luxury destination.\u00a0 With its unique public-private model and a vision for year-round luxury, Windham Mountain Club is reshaping what a modern mountain retreat can be. Located in New York\u2019s Catskill Mountains, just a short drive from Manhattan, over the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":471,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"","beyondwords_project_id":"","beyondwords_content_id":"","beyondwords_preview_token":"","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/471"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/facesjournal.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}