...Alfred’s Manifesto, or What I Would Do If I Managed Gore Mountain.
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.
