Shames Mountain is a small operation just outside of Terrace, BC. There is only one chairlift, and one t-bar, but the snowpack and easy access to amazing backcountry are qualities they can boast about. I have twice visited and skied at Shames, the most recent on assignment with Powder Magazine. Financially, it has been very difficult to keep a resort going in the small town, especially in the North where economic hard times have been going on a lot longer than the current recession. However, it was clear to see that the town truly benefited from having the small operation there – and can be seen as a public good, similar to a publicly funded rec-centre. Of course, there is no current public funding for Shames (or any other operation that I know of).

Check out this article about one proposal from an international group trying to turn it into a co-operative, it certainly is an interesting idea for a ski area model.