Courtesy Hickory Hill (2021)
Hickory Ski Center, the historic Warrensburg mountain that started 75 years ago, will re-open this winter. It was partially open last winter but had been closed since 2015.
“Things are percolating at Hickory,” said John Braidwood, vice president of the Hickory Legacy Foundation, a soon-to-be 501(c)3 non-profit that is leasing the lower mountain from Ski Hickory Hill, Inc., a corporation created several years ago that purchased the mountain. Bill Van Pelt, a Texas businessman who owns property in the area, is majority owner of Ski Hickory Hill, Inc.
“The mountain will be open as soon as we have sufficient snow,” Braidwood told FoothillsBusinessDaily.com.
He said the mountain faces north and "I can't imagine not opening for lack of snow. It may be delayed if Mother Nature decides to wait until January, but we're anticipating a December opening."
Hickory Ski Center manager Sue Catana said her parents Hans and Frances Winbauer started Hickory Ski Center with Ken Bates and his wife back in 1946.
“We’re waiting for the wire rope inspection, which will happen in early December, and the State Department of Transportation inspection of the lifts,” she said.
Lights have been installed for the lower part of the mountain serviced by the T-bar and pony lift. Four surrounding school districts — Lake George, Bolton, Warrensburg and Hadley-Luzerne — have been offered discounted lift tickets and season passes.
The mountain’s website, skihickory.com, will be up and running on Nov. 25, she said. If there is enough natural snow, the upper mountain will also be opened and skiers will be able to buy Poma 2 lift tickets, she said.
“Hickory is a special place,” Catana said. “In its heyday, we would have 10 to 12 tour buses a day. It was started as a joint venture by a group of families so families would have a place to go.
“We’re trying to re-establish the traditional culture of a family-friendly, unique ski area known for no snowmaking, powder skiing, a friendly atmosphere and very challenging terrain that has produced some of the best skiers in the world. There’s an emotional attachment to the flavor of the mountain.”
Braidwood said he grew up skiing at Hickory, and his kids learned to ski there.
“Bill Van Pelt purchased the mountain with the idea of giving children the opportunity to ski and learn to ski in their backyard. It’s beyond exciting,” he said.
He said the mountain “is in my DNA. If you talk to anyone who skied there as a kid, the passion for Hickory is amazing. It was a blessing for me as a little boy, and that mountain has spawned some incredible skiers over the years, including Sue Catana and Lynn Fox, among others.”
Catana said the intent is to be open year-round. People will be able to buy permits to access the property for hiking, mountain biking and other activities.
[To learn about the overall plan, read more here.]
“We also have a high-tech meeting room with fiber optic wifi and TV that we are renting out for corporate meetings for up to 80 people,” she said. “We’re also booking weddings and special events, and there will be an online store on the website.”
Hours will run Wednesday through Friday, 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff is now being hired.
Those interested will also be able to donate to the non-profit foundation once its website is up and running later this year.