Mt. Shasta Ski Park Unveils Controversial Virgin Mary Statue at the Top of Douglas Butte
Mt. Shasta Ski Park has unveiled its highly anticipated and controversial Virgin Mary statue, releasing a video of the 20-foot-tall structure on social media today. The statue, dubbed “Our Lady of Mt. Shasta” and located atop the Douglas Lift, will be seen by the public when the ski park opens for the season on December 11.
The Virgin Mary statue has been a deeply personal project for the ski park’s owner, Robin Merlo, and her late husband, Ray Merlo, who passed away in 2020. The statue fulfills Ray’s vision for the park, which included the installation of the Gray Butte lift and the monumental sculpture. While the lift was completed in 2022, the statue was finalized this fall.
According to the ski park, the statue is not tied to any specific religious affiliation but is meant to reflect the spiritual significance of Mt. Shasta and honor the beauty of the surrounding landscape. However, the project has sparked controversy, with some community members opposing its construction.
An online petition urging the park and the U.S. Forest Service to halt the project garnered nearly 800 signatures, although it is no longer online.
“We ask the owners of Mount Shasta Ski Park to cease and desist this construction project immediately,” read the petition. “We ask the US Forest Service, with whom the ski park holds use permits, to insist that Mount Shasta Ski Park discontinue this project. We suggest donating the money allocated for this project toward something that might actually benefit the community in a real way, such as a much needed homeless shelter or detox facility.”
Despite the controversy, the statue now stands as a tribute to the Merlo family’s commitment to the park and its values. As it becomes part of the Mt. Shasta experience, the Virgin Mary statue is sure to spark conversations among visitors this winter season.
