Big Sky, MT – The Club at Spanish Peaks, an exclusive luxury ski resort adjacent to Big Sky Resort in Montana, has laid off its staff and ceased operations.

In a letter to members dated October 10 and obtained by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the club announced that its future is uncertain and encouraged members to make arrangements that do not include club facilities when visiting Big Sky this winter.

“This course of action is a sad outcome for all parties,” the letter reads. “It is regrettable that the long and protracted recession has taken such a toll on the Club and similar communities throughout the United States, and the economic future remains as uncertain as it did in 2008 when the financial crisis started.”

The Club at Spanish Peaks featured a number of home sites surrounding a clubhouse as well as three members-only chairlifts, including a base-to-summit high speed detachable quad, and three surface lifts on the 850 vertical-foot Spirit Mountain, which is connected via lifts and trails to Big Sky’s terrain via the latter’s Southern Comfort chairlift on Andesite Mountain. The closure affects all clubhouse, lift, grooming, maintenance, food and beverage, and other services provided by Spanish Peaks.

“As it stands today, the future of the Club is uncertain,” the letter continues. “The company is exploring a variety of scenarios (including a possible bankruptcy filing) and intends to do what is in the best interests of all parties in interest.”

The Club at Spanish Peaks remains embroiled in a number of legal disputes, both as Plaintiff and as Defendant. A Gallatin County District Court Judge in June found that the Club deceived buyers by failing to disclose that their building lots sat atop an active landslide area. A drilling company has sued the club for over a half million dollars for landslide stabilization work done at the site in 2008. The Club also filed suit against KeyBank in 2010, alleging that it failed to follow through on a verbal committment to loan the Club at least $100 million to build a lodge on site that was to include residences, a restaurant, spa and other facilities. Two couples have also sued the Club to recover nearly $600,000 over deposits paid for golf memberships and condos that were never built.