I’ve probably gotten a (deserved) reputation here as a nattering nabob of negativism (google it) so I’m going to give my thoughts on what I think Gore management should do with the ski area they have. This is as much to trigger further discussion as to share my thoughts. So here goes with Alfred’s Manifesto, or What I Would Do If I Managed Gore Mountain.
Gore Mountain is unique. It began where it did because of a train to North Creek and a road from there up a mountain to a mine. It probably isn’t where you would put a ski area if you were starting with a blank canvas, but it’s what we’ve got. New York State steps in in the 60s and builds a ski area on a different mountain, totally separate from the North Creek Ski Bowl, completely surrounding and not using Bear Mountain, in the middle of the area, for over 30 years. Then a rapid and seemingly hodgepodge series of developments gives us what we have now, a ski area with historic beginnings, spread out over four peaks, with long interconnecting trails and a unique assortment of terrain. Probably its most unique feature is the quantity and variety of glades, from steep, tight ones high in conifer forest to long, gradual runs in open hardwoods. Many old trails are narrow, through beautiful forest, with turns, changes of pitch and fall line that enhance that “old Gore” experience. Not to mention the views of the surrounding Adirondacks.
What Gore Mountain must do is embrace its history, uniqueness and variety and not aspire to the Vail/Killington delusions of grandeur. To do that –
Reverse the trend begun in the 90s of cutting or widening trails to soccer pitch dimensions. Many of these trails now have snowmaking on 50% or less of their unnecessary widths. Begin a reforestation program on half the width of Upper Twister, Upper Echo, Upper Sagamore, Upper Topridge, Upper Uncas and Tannery. It will reduce the need for making snow on those areas and grooming them, saving water, energy and personnel costs.
Be very reluctant to make changes in the historic and unique areas of the mountain, particularly the High Peaks, North Side and Straight Brook areas. Restrict development to increase skier capacity to the Ski Bowl, Burnt Ridge, the lower mountain and the trails from Bear Mountain that feed into it.
Before making changes, STOP. THINK. Once that big new lift is installed, once that new trail is cut, once that glade is changed into a trail, once that old natural snow trail is widened, straightened, covered with manmade snow and groomed, it’s never going back. Solicit input and feedback, not by just posting a plan online and declaring a comment period open. Create a user group of all types of Gore customers – skiers of all abilities, longtimers and those new to Gore, locals, weekenders, daytrippers. Then ask them what they think of your plans, listen to what they say, and ask them for their ideas. You will be surprised at their passion for this unique ski area.
Keep Gore Weird.
