SAM Magazine—Upson, Wis., Nov. 24, 2025—Whitecap Mountains Resort has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, a process that halts collection efforts as the resort negotiates with creditors. 

The petition follows several years of financial strain. In 2019, a chimney fire destroyed the resort’s main lodge, and subsequent litigation found that the property was uninsured at the time, leaving the resort to absorb the full loss.

More recently, Whitecap saw two consecutive winters of lean snowfall that impacted revenue. Court documents show that snow totals dropped from about 260 inches in 2022-23 to less than 30 inches the following winter, while annual revenue fell from roughly $1.4 million to about $197,000 for the same period. Last winter, the resort reportedly saw just 60 inches of snow and $532,000 in total revenue.

To cover operating shortfalls, Whitecap secured a bridge loan of approximately $1.86 million from Brighton Asset Management LLC, but later defaulted. Brighton won a foreclosure ruling in August, prompting the resort to seek bankruptcy protection as negotiations with creditors continued.

The petition, filed Nov. 19 by Midwest Skiing Company LLC, lists estimated assets and liabilities between $1 million and $10 million. It will allow the resort to continue operating while it works on a restructuring plan

“It’s still business as usual around here,” said owner and GM David Dziuban in a statement shared on social media. He thanked guests “for supporting us and being part of our Whitecap family: we’re here for you, now and always, and we are excited about opening day.”

Whitecap has not set a 2025-26 opening date yet, but is hiring staff and selling season passes.