New lifts, base lodges, dining options, and other skier amenities are all welcome additions at resorts across the country, but a towering tribute to the Virgin Mary? Not so much. , a 635-acre ski area located in Northern California at the foot of the iconic fourteener, just shared plans to build a 20-foot-high statue of the Virgin Mary at the top of Douglas Butte, which is one of the resort鈥檚 four lift-served summits.
Why? According to shared on December 10 on the resort鈥檚 Instagram page, the statue had been a passion project of the Merlos, the ski park鈥檚 owners. Ray Merlo died in 2020, and his wife, Robin, decided to move ahead with the plan in his honor.
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鈥淭he installation of this statue is very important to our owner as this was a shared goal with her late husband and business partner, Ray Merlo,鈥 the statement read. 鈥淭hey have dedicated their resources to improving the Ski Park over the last few years and in the words of Robin Merlo, this statue is a promise fulfilled and a true representation of the dedication to family that we all value so much here at the Ski Park.鈥
While Shasta maintains that the statue isn鈥檛 meant to promote any one religion, but rather 鈥渉onor the beauty and spiritual power of the mountain we all love so much,鈥 Shasta鈥檚 dedicated ski community feels otherwise, sounding off in now-deleted comments on the above Instagram post.
However, internet ire will always find a way, and community members left their thoughts on instead.
鈥淗onoring the spirituality of the mountain could and should be more inclusive than a 20-foot statue of Mary, especially given the stated goal of 鈥榥ot focusing on one religion,鈥 commented one level-headed Instagram user. 鈥淧lease consider a different approach that fosters belonging for everyone.鈥
Others were less diplomatic. 鈥淢aybe erect a statue showing respect to the native folks killed by religion who were there long before y鈥檃ll owned the mountain.鈥 Mount Shasta Ski Park is built on the flanks of the volcano of the same name, and was , including the Shasta, the Modoc, the Wintu, and the Ajumawi/Atsuwegi people.
As of now, the plan is to build the statue鈥檚 platform this winter, then add the Virgin herself over the summer. But locals are hoping it doesn鈥檛 get that far, circulating a to collect 500 signatures in an attempt to get Shasta鈥檚 owners to abandon the idea. According to the petition, the U.S. Forest Service, which owns the upper slopes of Shasta and leases them back to the Merlos, has also been looped in.
鈥淭he ski park is not just an outdoor space; it鈥檚 our community鈥檚 gathering spot. It is where we teach our children to ski and where we meet with friends and family during the winter months,鈥 the petition reads, 鈥淭he religious icon currently under construction threatens to alienate members of our diverse community who do not share the same religious beliefs. Local gathering places, whether private or not, should remain neutral spaces that promote inclusivity and respect for all visitors.鈥
Or, as another concise Instagram user put it: 鈥淰irgin Mary at a ski resort makes no sense, keep religion out of skiing.鈥