I strongly recommend this place for an all-out family day; an indoor ice-skating rink across the street just adds to the versatility of this spot. Beware your transmission. Over 28 million dollars were spent. Do not. Snow and Haystack. Events. The great escape is on the old Kidderbrook Trail, a big wide boulevard out in the middle of nowhere. That’s become a cliche, but it’s still true. This mistake of selling this area would come back to plague Smith's company. Snow, Haystack, Sugarbush, Attitash/Bear Peak in New Hampshire, Sunday River, and Sugarloaf in Maine. Wow, am I tired…was banging down Superstar all day. Due to Vermont’s cold, snowy climate, and mountainous terrain, the mood was set for skiing to develop from day one. Bolton Valley Resort Bolton Valley; (802) 802-434-3444 • 168 skiable acres on 1,625′ vertical. They were cut "like giant parallel arcs of a snowcone," (Mad River Glen: The Early Years). Dutch Hill Ski Area Earns a New Turn in the Backcountry. Night Skiing offered. Smuggler’s Notch; (802) 644-8851 • 1,000 skiable acres on 2,610′ vertical, Specs: Summit elevation: 3,640 feet; Base elevation: 1,030 feet. In 1935 John Perry, David Parsons, and Rolando Palmedo planned the "Bromley Run" from an airplane. Sonnenberg is a slice of Vermont ski history (the 1960s boom), and the only time you wait on line is when Mrs. Rockefellervanderbilt is fussing with her outfit. 6 Lifts: 1 quads, 3 triples, 2 doubles. This is the ski area you pass on Rt. His ideas became even weirder as the years progressed. Roland Palmedo, had built the Single Chair at Stowe in the 1930s. The design of extra wide trails would find its way to other areas, which soon adapted this philosophy of trail design. Excitement and fun have been brought into the forefront of winter’s activities. So why ski it? In 1985, the resort purchased the Jet Triple chair from Doppelmayr to … A lot of people grumble about the parking situation at Stratton; seems unless you arrive at the crack of dawn, you’re gonna ride a bus of some sort. Jump 6′ down a rock chute? Specs: Summit elevation: 3,968 feet; Base elevation: 1,815 feet. Cochran also briefly managed nearby Ascutney ski area briefly during the 1950s, where his four children grew up skiing. Vermonter. Skiing in Vermont dates back to the 1930s, and along with that comes loads of history, lore and offbeat trivia. Uphill capacity: 24,363/hr. Walt Schoenknecht has been likened to "the Walt Disney of Vermont," (Tales From the Mountain: Mount Snow’s First 40 Years). There are 22 ski resorts in Vermont. Click Compare at the top left to see a season-over-season comparison of Stowe Mountain snowfall. VT SKI + RIDE is your guide to Vermont’s mountain sports and life. Much tougher than Superstar. The SKInny: Folks, after a few seasons of operation by a new, competent management team, we’ve had to revise our description. 100 in Plymouth. Killington ski resort is the perfect Vermont getaway to ski, snowboard, mountain bike, golf, and much more. Since the mountain had lain dormant for so long, much reconditioning of the lifts and buildings was needed to open during this season. Bromley does a great job of being all things to all people; a big open area for novices, some twists for intermediates, and a pseudo-separate “face” with 919′ vertical and its own chair (Stargazer) for experts. Pabst had seen the prospects of skiing as an important commodity in Vermont, and wished to see skiing introduced to the general populace. Oliver, Peter. It is what it is, and what it is, is a pretty darn good ski area. A state that once laughed at skiing now looks at it as one of its most important commodities. The country’s first ski race on Mansfield was held in 1934, and was a "down-the-mountain run frenzy," (Hagerman 68). Free snowcat skiing. Although the municipally-owned “slope” is often crowded with sleds, tubes, etc. Season: mid December – mid April. The post-war boom created a total of 55 ski areas by 1948 (Lorentz 243). 10 Lifts: 1 high-speed quad, 1 quad, 4 doubles, 4 surface lifts. On the other hand, if you’re a really bad skier, and you like to be entangled among lots of other bad skiers, Killington delivers just as well. Mountain maintenance was still in its infancy during the late 40’s and 50’s. Its vertical drop of over 3,000 feet rivals some well-known resorts in the West. Wanderers will be better off at Smuggler’s, while the hotshot can try his hand at the “original” four: National, Goat, Starr, and the Nose Dive. Although targeted to all abilities, experts will feel most at home at Jay, while the novice will be limited to certain areas. Lots of history here; some of the most notable personalities in the history of skiing have been involved with Jay. 16 Lifts: 1 gondola, 4 sixers, 4 quads, 1 triple, 1 double, 2 surface lifts, 3 magic carpets. Vermont...classic rolling hills and mountains. The SKInny: Formerly Ski Sonnenberg, this is a private “guest house” resort type operation that offers skiing as a draw. Snarky Nickname: Slokemo. Burke's lift served skiing history dates back to early 1955, when Ski Burke Mountain, Inc. was formed. Signature Trails: Allen, Mount Snow, Dover; (802) 464-3333 • 757 skiable acres on 1,566′ vertical, Specs: Summit elevation: 3,466 feet; Base elevation: 1,900 feet. With an easy hill and tickets that are virtually free, it’s a lot less stressful than taking your seven year old to Killington. During the 1940’s, chairlifts sprung up all over the state, along with poma lifts, T-bars, J-bars, and also more rope tows. Cross Country Skiing in the Mountains of Vermont: "Real skiers ski uphill" is an old expression in Vermont, where cross country skiing is as much a winter tradition as hot chocolate and making snow angels. He built a large indoor ice skating inside, and put the swimming pool outside, near the lifts! After this high, the number of ski areas dropped off slowly, then much more rapidly during the 1970’s, as small rope-tow and T-bar ski areas went out of business. This mountain added 18 trails and 3 lifts, giving Mt. One of the country's earliest ski resort towns, Stowe was already popular in 1937, … Snow 84 trails in 1986. coverage," (Burke ski brochure, 1996-1997). Bromley Mountain Manchester Center; (802) 824-5522 • 300 skiable acres on 1,334′ vertical. Mansfield, and neighboring Spruce Peak are in the heart of the state's snow belt and have made Stowe's name almost synonymous with New England skiing. A Top Tier Ski Area. There was a 25-inch dump at Mount Snow, while Magic Mountain collected 20 inches before opening for the season. Today, Vermont features some of the best skiing resorts in the Northeast. Snow would be increased in size during the early 1990’s with the purchase of Haystack, just three miles down the road. Trails go over and under roads, wind in and out of condos, and the whole thing is a bit nauseating if you prefer skiing amidst natural environs. The area grew significantly, and bought the nearby Glen Ellen ski area during the late 1970’s. Mansfield Lift Company which built the first chairlift at Stowe Mountain Resort.Palmedo wanted to create a ski area for dedicated skiers, with a minimum of commercial interests and amenities. Haystack • West Dover  Old-line ski area that was purchased and then sold by American Skiing Company, back when that doomed entity owned nearby Mount snow. Great for wanderers. The Cochran family in 1966. Longest Run: 15,840′. This mountain had spent all of its money on the aforementioned uneconomical frills. It remained relatively unchanged until she sold it in 1995 to a group of skiers who formed a cooperative to own and manage the ski area. More municipally run ski areas that operated on T-bars solely closed. Walt was known for his crazy ideas. In fact, the American ski area was virtually invented in Vermont; the first rope tow constructed in the Western Hemisphere was just south of Barnard, near today’s Sonnenberg (private) and Suicide Six. Sensing the changes at the LBO resorts, Killington purchased Waterville Valley in New Hampshire, entered into a partnership with Bromley in southern Vermont, and bought Sugarloaf in Maine. It just gets more developed and more commercial and more crowded with every passing year. Snowdance is the everyman’s trail that put Snow on the map, and for experts, well it’s got to be Ripcord: Nasty, nasty slope. through the years, but it’s on fairly good footing these days. "Why should one stay in the state with a lack of excitement," was one commonly heard phrase among the young people of Vermont. No snowmaking at this time. Killington, which had once owned Sunday River, was owned by it. No machines existed at that time that could groom a slope. Smith tried to bring this floundering ski area into riches, but had no success. Hill, Robert. It is the ultimate New England ski destination, which combined with some clunky lifts, results in long lines at times. Signature Trails: The Nose Dive; see photo immediately above. You’ve either skied Cochran’s, or you haven’t. 1 Lift: T-Bar. Just knowing you’ve skied at Cochran’s is enough. Jay Peak Resort is an American ski resort located on Jay Peak in the Green Mountains, between the Village of Jay and Montgomery Center, Vermont.Its vertical drop of 2,153 feet (656 m) is the eighth largest in New England and the fifth largest in Vermont. Nonsense. Obviously, Blues represents intermediate skiers, while Blacks refers to experts. (Tales From the Mountain: Mount Snow’s First 40 Years). A racing trail, the "Sunset Schuss," had been used for years from the top. Sugarbush was founded in the late 1950’s, and like Mt. Sugarbush’s 1995-1996 Ski Brochure. And groomed, and groomed. During the War, many small rope tow ski areas closed, many permanently, but once the soldiers returned, a great boom in ski areas and skiing occurred. Uphill Capacity: 6,000/hr. Season: mid December – late March. The Ski Area Recreation Safety Grant Program aims to help ski areas implement solutions that will enable skiers and riders to use their facilities safely this winter. Long known for their political ineptitude, the state does everything it can to impede, over-legislate, over-regulate, hinder development, and generally make life miserable for the ski industry and related tourism, which coincidentally brings more cash to the state than every other industry combined — including cheese and syrup. Novices and families will find plenty of room to ski together, and will wait on lines here and there. It is Vermont's closest big mountain to many Northeast met. A little of everything; short lines are easy to find if you look around. Suicide Six is the name of a ski resort in South Pomfret, Vermont.Its claim to historical fame as the earliest ski resort derives from the installation, in January 1934, of an improvised rope tow, the first ski lift (uphill conveyance) in the United States, on a hill located on Clinton Gilbert's farm.The rope tow was originally powered with a Ford Model T engine. One of the country's earliest ski resort towns, Stowe was already popular in 1937, … So much has improved in recent years, starting with the professionalism in the front office, to the product on the hill. Five new lifts, new snowmaking, new base lodges, and new trails would be added for the 1996-1997 season. Ascutney, in Brownsville, and Magic Mountain, in Londonderry, closed due to financial difficulties. Vermont … Nicknamed “The Big Bear.” Don’t underestimate this mountain. Now families could enjoy his mountain, along with other mountains, as some of his ideas spread to other areas. To accomplish this goal, beginner trails were constructed from the top of all lifts, and the Graduated Length Method ski teaching method was created. Stratton Mountain, Stratton; (802) 297-2200 • 583 skiable acres on 2,003′ vertical. It’s unusual that the wide trails give the impression of a ski area that’s wider than it is high. Throughout the 1960’s, ski areas including Big Bromley and Killington began to install snowmaking systems. If you purchase a pass or lift ticket or make a reservation, you’ll be making … and will attempt to verify the legitimacy of the claim. The other classics, if you’ve got the stuff: National, Goat, Liftline, and Starr (the fabled front four). 2. Note that sometimes they offer deals in which you can pay a slightly higher fee that gives you the option to change dates. Bellows Falls Village Area, Bellows Falls • Approximately 5 skiable acres on 350′ vertical. Strattonites pooh-pooh Snow, pointing to their bigger vertical; mostly they should point to their bigger egos. Since then it has evolved into more of a quirky historical and unusual chronicle of off beat Vermont folklore, myths and legends. Specs: Summit Elevation: 1601′, Base Elevation: 1168′. This first single chairlift was "6300 feet long, and was designed to carry 200 skiers per hour," (Older 85). Season: mid November – April, sometimes May. A trend that began in the decade of the 70’s has continued into today: that of resort conglomerations and mega-mergers. It’s sort of a poor man’s Stowe, which is a fine thing to be. Once again, Mt. Since there will be no more room for expansions, attention will have to be focused on snowmaking, grooming, and lifts. At Mad River Glen, a ski area founded in 1949 by Roland Palmedo, employees would "foot pack the entire mountain, from top to bottom," (Mad River Glen: The Early Years). From high end eastern resorts to private ski hills to local rope tows, there’s plenty of ski experiences to choose from when you ski in Vermont. Killington out-opens all but Timberline at Mt. It’s been tamed over the years, but it’s still the Nose Dive. Pabst also had one more significant contribution to the development of skiing: the invention of a J-bar lift. Now you know it isn’t something you’re going to seek out as a destination ski area, but if you happen to be cruising along I-89 and you’ve got a few minutes to spare, make sure you pull in to 179 Congress Street and make some turns. Snow two more lifts, and Killington a revolution similar to that of Sugarbush. Trail Mix: 31-48-31. Terrain Mix: 27% 48% 22% 3%. But when conditions are “on” in the heart of the season, Magic is easily the best deal in town. Instead of Austrians barking out commands, new learners were cajoled into learning at their own pace, while enjoying the sport. Whether you’re looking for a full resort experience or more of a homey, old-school vibe, Vermont has no shortage of terrain for beginners, intermediate and expert skiers and riders. Annual Snowfall: 250 inches. 6 Lifts: 1 Poma Lift, 4 Double Chairs, 1 Quad Chair. Intermediates, Upper Antelope (but not lower!). Less crowded than most, and you can find your friends and family easily at the base. Northeast Slopes boasts its all volunteer staff! Specs: Summit Elevation: 1,000′; Base Elevation: 500′. Finally, a note about ski area statistics: Although it’s hard to believe, some ski areas are (gasp!) Hotshots should head for Stowe. A total of 81 ski areas operated during this year. Snowmaking: percent. There are more or less two types of skiers who go to BV. The future of skiing in Vermont is unsure. Uphill Capacity: 2,000/hr. Gives less aggressive skiers a shorter, less demanding pod with plenty of variety. 8 Lifts: 6 doubles, 2 surface lifts. Signature Trails: Castlerock area and Stein’s at Sugarbush, F.I.S. Snarky Nickname: K-Mart, Living Memorial Park Brattleboro; • Approximately 10 skiable acres on 204′ vertical. The lift was known for both its speed and wild rides - the speed on the lift could be cranked up to quite high velocities. Some of this diminishment of ski area numbers can be attested to Vermont Environmental Act 250, passed in 1970. Ellen (formerly Glen Ellen), also Middle glades on the main Sugarbush Mountain. Its early history is centered in the region, and many pioneers cut their teeth on its breath-taking slopes — especially in Vermont. In choosing a name, … With a total of 212 trails, your family will never run out of paths to take down the mountain. If Disney made a ski area, Okemo would be it. If you ever ski there, drop us a line and let us know how it is these days. Longest Run: 15,840′. Easily. Jay Peak expects a high of -2 around the base, and that's without the wind-chill effect. Trail Mix: 25%, 45%, 30%. These lifts carry an amazing three thousand skiers per hour, bringing a seemingly infinite amount of skiers to the slopes and trails of mountains. According to their website, “Today the Hermitage encompasses the latest innovations in skiing luxury, while remaining true to the natural beauty that inspired the first skiing on the mountain.”. Snowmaking was greatly expanded, however, and the mountain took on a new, sleeker look, perfect for survival in the upcoming 1980’s. One area that desperately needed snowmaking was Sugarbush. Snow conditions at Vermont's 17 ski resorts are generally just what you would expect in winter from December through March, and sometimes beyond. The first ski area to enter this trend was that of Sunday River, Maine, which was bought by Killington in 1972. Start as Private Family Ski Area. Strafford Ski Tow, aka Strafford Lions Ski Tow see Harrington Hill, above. Snow an additional 43 trails, bringing their total up to 127 trails. This pace was "well above industry standards," (Lorentz 58). The SKInny: With trails first cut on Worth Mt. Top adult ticket price is reasonable. Located on Vail Hill, the area had a 300-foot rope tow, night skiing, racing, and an 80-foot drop. less than truthful with their numbers. Snowmaking, invented during the 1950’s, was considered a "banana belt" luxury, supposedly used only in southern resorts (Lorentz 71). A ski area like no other, a place where skiing is still a sport, not an industry. The mountains are great — the terrain, the scenery, the atmosphere; and the conditions tend to be a bit better than everywhere else in the east, with the possible exception of Tremblant and a few other Canadian resorts. Ticket Sales Limited. Vermont is indeed a skier’s paradise. Trail Mix: 22-53-19. These army veterans were hired to teach classes and to run the ski patrol. Annual Snowfall: 262 inches. The other large contribution to skiing in Vermont was the invention of high-speed detachable quad chairlifts. Tuesday — 40°, you hang out at the lodge and watch a steady, pouring rain. This lift was much easier to use, as riders did not have to grab onto a rope, but could rather ride up the mountain in comfort. #antiques #skihistory #vermontskimuseum #skivermont #strattonmountain #stratton #skimagicvt #bromley #skihistory #10thmountaindivision Tell everyone that you're a ski bum... send your name and address to sticker@skibum.net, Ski Tune Up Guide: Waxing, Ptexing, Maintenance and More. After a significant snowstorm, the snow needed to be packed down in order to become more skiable. If you’re a skier’s skier, and you don’t care about the waffles and shopping at the base village, Mad River Glen is where you want to be. Okemo reported more than 40 inches of new snow, while Bromley received 33 inches. It may be aggravating at first encounter, but it’s really well done. Unless you’re Scrooge you’ll buy the dinner, because dammit, Tiny Tim is out there on the hill. The Skiing: Believe it or not, Stratton has some fantastic facilities for beginners and novices. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pico Mountain Ski Area is a ski area located in Killington, Vermont, United States. 3 Lifts: 2 doubles, 1 triple. It’s clean, it’s painted, they’re making repairs as they can, updating equipment when it makes sense. During the 1987-1988 season, high-speed quads were added to Pico Peak, Killington, and Mount Snow. That said, it is a great, big ski area; wanderers will positively love it. First and foremost, families from Headed to Bolton? The deeply discounted tickets must be purchased in advance; generally up to two days out. When groomed, they’re skiable by high-end intermediates. The SKInny: Sugarbush is a combination of two outstanding ski areas, the original Sugarbush (the one on the left, or south) and the old Glen Ellen, now called Mt. Seldom if ever crowded, it’s just a terrific throwback ski area that delivers a nice mix of trails. St. Johnsbury: Troll Press, 1996. 17 Lifts: 7 quads, 3 triples, 4 doubles, 4 surface lifts. File: Vermont Ski Resort COVID-19 Winter Operations Guidance - 2020-11-03.pdf. Annual Snowfall: 300 inches. This area was run primarily for students as part of the physical education program, from 1963 to 1970. Snowmaking: 80 percent. Best to use cubbies or boot check when available] The food, however, is pretty much dismal anywhere on the hill, so our preference is to head into the Potemkin Village at lunch time; the offerings there aren’t as expensive as you might expect, and the quality is superior to the on-mountain grub. Specs: Summit elevation: feet; Base elevation: feet. Something happened, however, during the suburbanization of Vermont…Sugarbush was left behind. Wanderers will enjoy it, hotshots will be humbled. Closed since 1991, it reopened for skiing in December, 1997. Hand warmers, mittens and … Map View. Big Bromley, through this extensive "summer grooming," could "ski and ski well with just four inches of snow," (Older 18). This is a quiet area, with a few disquieting drops for experts. The only other problem with this lift is that skiers' arms and hands were worn out, along with mittens. Tom was a “beginner” area down the street that some folks still sneak a run down; a marker commemorating the first ski lift in North America is just up the road. Permits have been provided for expansion, including "Six new top to bottom trails, new quad chair in East Bowl (originally planned for 1980)!, high speed quad to summit, and 90% snowmaking. Be prepared for a few rocks…and if you head for Mad River, you probably prefer it that way. The SKInny: Old line Vermont ski area. Discount Lift Tickets: If you can plan in advance, and know for certain what day or days you are skiing, there is a very effective way to get discount tix for Mount Snow via Liftopia. World War II would lead to a major slump in skiing, as many young men left their families to go to Europe and fight. Shrewsbury: Mad River Glen: The Early Years. The early 1990’s saw several poor snow seasons, which brought the need for continuing snowmaking expansion and improvements. History. Growth was not stopped, it was just severely limited. Things aren’t perfect yet, but they are serving up a healthy dose of traditional New England skiing, and they’ve dispensed with the seat-of-the-pants approach that highlighted the first few years of the new millenium. That’s somewhat true…you will see some of the most expensive get-ups on the liftlines. Uphill capacity: 21,020/hr. Established in 1937, it was one of the first commercial ski resorts in the state. Most single chairs were providing about 250 rides per hour, and most double chairs were providing 600 or less. Experts, Paradise. However, several low snow seasons prompted the initial use of snowmaking. Signature Trail: None needed. Created in Scandinavia over two thousand years ago, Nordic (cross-country) skiing was used extensively, as paths and roads became blocked with snow. It’s arguably the best “local tow” operations in New England, with a number of legitimate trails rather than the typical open field…not to mention a base restaurant! Perhaps Grizzly Bear. It’s got plenty of ground for wanderers, and the hotshot will be challenged by the rather dense trees in the glades. Experts: Killington Peak/Canyon and Outer Limits chair. A dearth of high-paying jobs also plagued many Vermonters. Haystack as a public ski area closed in 2005. Woodstock Inn & Resort Nordic Center Explore over 45km of trails on two networks in nearby Woodstock, VT! Trail Mix: 42-31-27. Arrive early, ski late. Burke has gone through what we’ll call a “weird” recent history, renamed “Q-Burke” and after a time in the eye of a swirling storm of EB-5 misuse accusations, it’s running in some sort of Fed-ordered receivership. The Plaustiniers, a skiing family from New York, purchased the mountain for only 1.1 million dollars, an incredible bargain. Packed with snow not people. Kudos to the racing program and mountain ops also. Vermont’s population, job base, and other factors would never be the same. Despite its size and positive “family” reputation, Smuggler’s Notch is still somehow underrated! It’s one of the best destinations Vermont has: Stowe conditions, just an hour north of Killington, with little or no Killington crowd. Individual chairs would be sold at the price of $300 per chair! Nearby Burke Mountain is also on the upswing. Snowmaking: 95 percent. Snow Skiing." The Green Mountain State boasts a treasure trove of cross country ski areas … Les Otten and his company, LBO Enterprises, purchased the area and completed the "single largest expansion of lift and snowmaking in United States History," (Sugarbush ski brochure, 1995-1996). Southernmost is The Valley, which is what the locals call the Dover-Wilmington traffic jam at Mt. These grants aim to ensure that the ski areas, and the hundreds of restaurants, inns, and attractions that depend on them to draw visitors to Vermont, may operate this winter. Has experts pretty well covered too, although the true expert terrain is a bit more sparse. S-K-I almost made it. Forget the darling of the east bit, Sugarbush is arguably the best in the east. 1. Participants would hike to the summit, and then all race down in a frenzy. Ski building donated by Ben & Jerry’s; eat up. We like that. Something with a “bear” in the name, most likely. I’ve knocked a third off the price of some tickets. Ideal beginner location. "It was they who made Pico the mecca of Vermont skiing in the 30’s, " (Older 71). Snarky Nickname: MRG — Moss, Rocks & Grass. The SKInny: Stowe is the original ski resort, and still is the ultimate New England ski town. at Mt. The only thing they can’t fix is Magic’s lower base elevation; it will often be warmer down in the valley than at neighboring Stratton and Bromley, which means the other two corners of the golden triangle tend to have better conditions earlier and later in the season. In addition to conditions, the ski areas are no slouches either. 12 Lifts: 1 gondola, 1 quad, 1 triple, 6 doubles, 3 surface lifts. Fred Pabst, a skiing enthusiast and entrepreneur, founded this ski area in 1936. Lawsuits, bankruptcy…definitely not the way it all started. A two-mile long connector high-speed quad was installed in the basin that had formerly isolated the two areas. Emphasis is on novice and intermediate skiing; what the expert finds, he will find challenging. However, the Northern Star Ski Corporation purchased Burke in 1995, and Burke has since been made profitable. Another ski area merger occurred when the small Carinthia ski area was bought and annexed to Mount Snow. Experts and hotshots, wanderers, novices, tree skiers…all will find ways to stay occupied at the Beast of the East. Specs: Summit elevation: 4,395 feet; Base elevation: 1,280 feet. One of the best anywhere for the family vacation market. In fact, the American ski area was virtually invented in Vermont; the first rope tow constructed in the Western Hemisphere was just south of Barnard, near today’s Sonnenberg (private) and Suicide Six. 23 Lifts: 4 quads, 10 triples, 4 doubles, 2 surface lifts, 3 magic carpets. The Vermont economy depends on winter ski-season visitors who spend more than $1.6 billion a year in the tiny state, according to the Vermont Ski Areas Association. Signature Trail: Red Line, Black Line, Master Magician, Wand, whatever. The SKInny: “Big Bromley” now calls itself the “Sun Mountain.” Another old line ski area; traces back to a J-bar roped up in 1941, which was “Little Bromley.” Fred Pabst built this place, a few of the trails still bear his name. History America's Skiing Legacy Starts Here. With the passing of Mickey Cochran in 1998, Cochran Ski Area was approved for non-profit status by the IRS. Preston Smith, owner of Killington saw the prospects that Mt. Usually, of course, conditions are “typical Vermont,” which is to say, the best in the East. Snowmaking: 35 percent. Many people scoffed at such people - they did indeed look funny on those long strips of wood. Specs: Summit Elevation: 1126′, Base Elevation: 822′. Whatever the future path may be, one thing is for certain: Vermonters love winter sports, and it is almost certain skiing will be in the forefront. It is conceivable that the American Skiing Company could develop financial or other troubles due to its large size.