Woods Valley SFM Skatepark Rail Jam

Over the last few years I have been lucky to cover some amazing events and tap into the culture, the community and the park vibe in upstate NY. A few stand out as true zeitgeists like the first Berms, Bruises and Beers at Hunt Hollow. In Rome NY one movement is traveling with such velocity that it cannot be ignored.

Woods Valley

The SFM Skatepark Project was born from the tragic passing of Stone Mercurio last April and since then has grown into one of the “most prolific grassroots movements in Rome.” Family and friends quickly organized to honor Stone, a native Roman who loved to shred and loved his city.

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Woods Valley: Time Flies

The older I get, the faster time flies. The season snuck up on me and my general lack of fitness, again. For Woods Valley, on the other hand, wisdom has come with age and on the dawn of their 60th year in operation they were ready to go.

Woods Valley opening day 2023
Woods Valley opening day 2023

Early last week mother nature decided to help the resort with 10 inches of lake effect to add to their snowmaking efforts. Ullr giveth and he taketh away, and on Friday it rained. Woods was undeterred, and on Saturday at 10am they kicked off their 60th season. Normally I pick up my season pass the week prior to opening but my lack of planning found me a few families deep in the pick up line.

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Closing Woods Valley in Style

Winter was still hanging on by the tips of its fingers last Sunday in Westernville NY. It would be the last day of the 59th season for Woods Valley and the stage was set with beautiful spring conditions for the annual pond skim. I arrived just at the first chair and met up with the usual suspects.

Woods Valley Ski Area

We took a few laps and before long the firm conditions gave way to perfect corn snow. Coverage was edge-to-edge on all the main trails, with a few rollers and jumps remaining in the terrain park. The boys were getting adventurous jumping dirt gaps and going for grass slides. It’s just that time of the year to ride loose and carefree.

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