Resorts wind down ski season
The ski season is not over, but some regional resorts will end ski/ride operations by April 1.
A few large resorts, Killington, Stowe, ORDA’s three mountains, Gore, Belleayre and Whiteface to name a few, are expected to extend the season which, as we all know, will provide spring ski enthusiast warmer days on groomed trails and slopes. Best you check ahead about conditions before starting out. Snow storms in March surprised the industry with as much as six feet of snow falling at some during the month.
My daughter, Patty, was up from Arlington, VA for four days and we headed to Ski Butternut in Great Barrington, Massachusetts where, in addition to great spring conditions, a mid-week lift ticket was $25. Compared to some areas that were charging $71 to $76 mid-week, Ski Butternut proves that affordable ski/ ride lift tickets are out there, despite those who claim the sports of late is getting too pricy.
So you might ask, what does Ski Butternut offer mid-week for $25? How about 22 trails, 1,000 vertical, 11 lifts, tubing park,
twisted terrain park and 100% snowmaking. Dick McCann, general manager wasn’t there that day, however, we did talk with Sara Pollock. Office manager, who has been with the mountain for 24 years. “What kind of a year is Butternut having?” I inquired? “Pretty good, con-
sidering we went through that bitter cold spell during the holidays.” Sara was referring to the days when most operating eastern ski areas battled temperatures not seen in years.
Asked about her skier base, she says they come from all over, including many from Long Island about a two-and-one-half hour drive one way. A one way drive from Albany, NY and vicinity, is just
over an hour.
Jerry Danielski sends along word that the New York Capital District Ski Council annual awards and installation banquet takes place April 27 at the Otis and Oliver’s on Mill Road in Latham, NY. Banquet guest speaker will be avid ASC skier/racer, and well known TV broadcaster (recently retired) Phil Bayly.
If interested in attending, contact Jerry at 518466- 6054.
The Out of Control Ski Club’s Winter Carnival/ BBQ will take place Sunday, April 15, at Killington, VT.
World Pro Ski Tour media contact, Craig Marshall, says the Tours dual challenge competition 2018 race events will be televised on CBS Sports Network on the following dates: April 1 at 1 p. m. April 1, 3:30 p. m; April 8, at 7:30 p. m; April 15 at 1 p. m’ and April 15 at 1:30 p. m.