Hickory Ski Center: Back From The Dead?

[ne_skier]

After 5 years of closure, Warrensburg NY's Hickory Ski Center is hosting a BBQ with live music on August 14th, also hinting at a potential reopening this winter. I've never been, but it seems like a cool place. Pics show a lot of ungroomed terrain which is definitely a plus in my book.

https://www.facebook.com/hickoryskicenter/posts/10158331891278927

 

[JimG.]

Not far from Gore will check it out this coming season if they do open.

 

[Cornhead]

Made it there once, 18" powder day. Made one run and went to my car to grab my rock skis. Stopped halfway down a trail, looked back up and saw all these black spots in the snow. Took awhile to realize they were little rock ledges that you didn't even know were there coming down the trail.

Hickory is a very cool place, think hot tub time machine only it's the 50's you're returning to instead of the 80's. I wish them luck. I would definitely go back.

 

[PAabe]

If they open I'll definutely try to go. Wasn't really aware it existed until after they closed. Looks pretty rad

 

[drjeff]

Upper poma... best "launch" to the start of a lift ride I have ever had!

If the snow is good, think MRG/Magic/Platty awesomeness, but with only surface lifts!

Hope we get a long, snowy, cold season so Hickory can make it happen!

 

[Harvey]

There are some hills to climb to get this done. But there is motivation from within that wasn't there in the last five year. (Natural) snow will be required. Bet if they do open the upper mountain there will significant interest and lift lines.

 

[Killingtime]

With the larger Gore and West close by, I think Hickory will have their hands full. Spent some time in that area last season. Stopped by Royal which despite being a cool little mountain was not overly busy. Stopped by Maple Ski Ridge which had more employees working than there were customers. This was a nice Saturday in early March with plenty of snow. West was busy which was nice to see. Had lift tickets to Oak but had to bail the last minute. Maybe this year. Reality is if I'm traveling 87 north of Albany there's really only 2.5 choices, Gore, Whiteface or half a day at West. But....ski areas have become very creative in bringing year round business. Lots of mountain biking. live music, brewfests, food events, weddings, etc. I wish them luck.

 

[PAabe]

I saw they hinted at bringing in mountain biking. They are right next to the interstate pretty much, on the way to lake placid, so you would think if they get their name out there they could get a bit if business. Like I said I had no idea they were there until after they closed. unfortunately I dont know how much of the general population is interested in the poma town vibe though

 

[Harvey]

With the larger Gore and West close by, I think Hickory will have their hands full.

Not sure what you mean by this. There is no desire, intention or ability at Hickory to compete with Gore or West.

There is a love for the mountain and a desire to see it live on, without losing the farm. That's it.

I saw they hinted at bringing in mountain biking.

It has been discussed.

 

[ne_skier]

I can imagine that if they had trouble finding clientele they could easily join the Indy Pass which would get their name heard more, although it seems the locals in the region do have a strong desire to see it reopened.

 

[Harvey]

I can imagine that if they had trouble finding clientele

If they open, I doubt they will have trouble filling their very limited lift capacity.

 

[Cornhead]

Upper poma... best "launch" to the start of a lift ride I have ever had!

You've got that right, I think my fat ass was off the snow for a good 20ft before coming back down. Kudos to boarders who could ride that thing. It kicked my ass. The combination of steep ungroomed trails and riding Pomas all day had me fighting to not fall asleep at the wheel on the drive home.

 

[Do Work]

There are some hills to climb to get this done. But there is motivation from within that wasn't there in the last five year. (Natural) snow will be required. Bet if they do open the upper mountain there will significant interest and lift lines.

Harv, do you know the people behind the effort? I'd love to speak with them, I am freakin' obsessed with Hickory and would love to help them achieve their goals any way I can. I talked with some of the operators a bit last time I was there but that was years ago now. Hickory is such a cool place with so much potential. I think skiing is ready to appreciate it for what it is now also- there's nowhere else I can think of that has such a raw experience.

 

[Do Work]

You've got that right, I think my fat ass was off the snow for a good 20ft before coming back down. Kudos to boarders who could ride that thing. It kicked my ass. The combination of steep ungroomed trails and riding Pomas all day had me fighting to not fall asleep at the wheel on the drive home.

Double black lifts are a win in my book!

With the larger Gore and West close by, I think Hickory will have their hands full. Spent some time in that area last season. Stopped by Royal which despite being a cool little mountain was not overly busy. Stopped by Maple Ski Ridge which had more employees working than there were customers. This was a nice Saturday in early March with plenty of snow. West was busy which was nice to see. Had lift tickets to Oak but had to bail the last minute. Maybe this year. Reality is if I'm traveling 87 north of Albany there's really only 2.5 choices, Gore, Whiteface or half a day at West. But....ski areas have become very creative in bringing year round business. Lots of mountain biking. live music, brewfests, food events, weddings, etc. I wish them luck.

Meh, people said the same thing about Magic with Stratton, Bromley, Okemo and Mt Snow so close... But we aren't competing with them AT ALL. We are a 100% differentiated product & experience from what they offer and just the fact that Hickory is so different than what's nearby can create it's own draw if properly marketed as such and supported by solid operations. I personally would never drive past Hickory to ski Gore unless it was closed, and there's a quickly growing demographic that wants nothing to do with resorts and instead is seeking the Ski Area experience wholeheartedly. Now is a great time to capitalize on that IMO.

Also they have such a microscopic Ops footprint, it would not take a lot to staff it. I think they had literally under a dozen people working last time I went. I've never seen a simpler layout and people underestimate the importance of that in gauging realistic outcomes.

 

[Harvey]

Harv, do you know the people behind the effort? I'd love to speak with them, I am freakin' obsessed with Hickory and would love to help them achieve their goals any way I can. I talked with some of the operators a bit last time I was there but that was years ago now. Hickory is such a cool place with so much potential. I think skiing is ready to appreciate it for what it is now also- there's nowhere else I can think of that has such a raw experience.

Very cool.

I know the owner and spoke to him this weekend for an hour or so. I told him the same thing (ie would love to help them achieve their goals).

We (NYSB) are working on a piece to detail plans but he's not ready to have any of it out there yet. Not sure if you subscribe to NYSB but if you do and you see the Hickory piece has been published, PM me then and I'll see if we can make a connection. Seems to me there is a ton of enthusiasm to help Hickory get going again, I suspect if they are able to open this year, there will be a line for the lift(s).

 

[Do Work]

Very cool.

I know the owner and spoke to him this weekend for an hour or so. I told him the same thing (ie would love to help them achieve their goals).

We (NYSB) are working on a piece to detail plans but he's not ready to have any of it out there yet. Not sure if you subscribe to NYSB but if you do and you see the Hickory piece has been published, PM me then and I'll see if we can make a connection. Seems to me there is a ton of enthusiasm to help Hickory get going again, I suspect if they are able to open this year, there will be a line for the lift(s).

Yeah I found Jason's email from the 2014 article and sent him a message, I just need to know what their biggest needs are and then I can see what I can do to help them along. You'd be amazed at what the bigger places are willing to do to help out the little guys, and also the impact a few extra sets of the right hands can do to make things happen when there's a hangup.

 

[Harvey]

biggest needs

We need snow! Got any connections?

Seriously really appreciate the offer.

 

[Do Work]

We need snow! Got any connections?

Seriously really appreciate the offer.

If you mean making two pieces of pipe into one, yeah man I've got those connections down pat!

 

[Harvey]

Yea we are a few mill away from needing that kind of help unfortunately!

I had forgotten you are the man of steel. Who knows when that could come in handy with 70 year old lifts!

 

[Do Work]

Yea we are a few mill away from need that kind of help unfortunately!

I had forgotten you are the man of steel. Who knows when that could come in handy with 70 year old lifts!

You might be surprised! There’s more than one way to skin a (snow)cat! I’m really looking forward to seeing what is holding the place back!