ORDA Funding

[Cork]

Haven't heard an updated opening date for the new Ski Bowl Lodge, assume it's on track for next season? One crazy idea would be to scrap the "mountain coaster" and instead invest that money in a lift that shuttles folks from town to ski bowl and back. I would venture to say the mountain coaster will not bring in very many people. so that investment will do much to spur growth in the town, and you still have the issue of the highway as a barrier. Once people get in their cars they are on the road. Gore and the Ski bowl is unique among ORDA and even a lot of NY ski areas with its proximity of the lifts to the town. They should exploit that. The highway in the way is a major obstacle to getting people to town, but a people mover type lift running year round certainly would expand the foot traffic in town. Businesses might stay open past 7. Especially if the Ski Bowl hotel is ever built. This could be something unique that would really make Gore and North Creek an ORDA gem.

Well, your idea is not that far fetched; as a previous North Creek developer, who used to own the Ski Bowl property as well as the Copperfield Hotel on Main St, did indeed present the idea of a gondola from Main St to the top of the Ski Bowl. Now the time for this was 1999, and the idea of NYS/ORDA having competition (from a 'Long Island guy") did not sit well for many of those in power back then.
Unfortunately, the zip coaster will be completed this summer, and as you predicted (and also imo), it will be a flop.
The Lodge is still "on schedule" to open this Fall, as long as the poop, as somewhere to go...

 

[Stevemc]

Well, your idea is not that far fetched; as a previous North Creek developer, who used to own the Ski Bowl property as well as the Copperfield Hotel on Main St, did indeed present the idea of a gondola from Main St to the top of the Ski Bowl. Now the time for this was 1999, and the idea of NYS/ORDA having competition (from a 'Long Island guy") did not sit well for many of those in power back then.
Unfortunately, the zip coaster will be completed this summer, and as you predicted (and also imo), it will be a flop.
The Lodge is still "on schedule" to open this Fall, as long as the poop, as somewhere to go...

I guess time will tell. A town lift doesn’t even have to go to the top. Just get people over the highway to the new lodge.

Thanks for the history. Always interesting learning about past ideas.

 

[Ripitz]

Well, your idea is not that far fetched; as a previous North Creek developer, who used to own the Ski Bowl property as well as the Copperfield Hotel on Main St, did indeed present the idea of a gondola from Main St to the top of the Ski Bowl. Now the time for this was 1999, and the idea of NYS/ORDA having competition (from a 'Long Island guy") did not sit well for many of those in power back then.

Hey @Stevemc, as an outside occasional visitor, this connection seems obvious to me as well. So the question for @Cork or any other local, is this something that the people in town even want? Of course, there will always be naysayers, and then there’s also the question of who’s going to pay for it, but if it was of no cost to the locals, I’m wondering how the majority feels about it.

The question of connectivity is also happening at Belleayre. The Shandaken Rail Trail Project has been proposed on the old rail line from Big Indian to Highmount. This would not only connect the town of Pine Hill to Belleayre, but also Belleayre Beach, the proposed mountain biking trails, the existing cross country ski trails, and downhill ski center all of which is run by ORDA.

On my last visit, which was a bike trip through Pine Hill, I was surprised to hear much dissent about the project. I believe, perhaps the majority are in favor, but during the last public meeting, the people that are not in favor were the most vocal.

The nearly $4 million project has been secured through a grant for the county and yet the peeps don’t want it. Why can’t we have nice things?

Shandaken Rail Trail Project

Shandaken Rail Trail ProjectIn 2021, the Ulster County Transportation Council completed the Ulster and Delaware Corridor Revitalization Study with extensive public input and made recommendations for a multi-phase trail project in Shandaken.The first phase of this trail project will convert an...

participate.ulstercountyny.gov

Nearly $4 M For Improved Trail Shandaken Access - Hudson Valley Press

SHANDAKEN – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced Friday that Ulster County has received $3.96 million from New York State to convert 2.5 miles of the Ulster & Delaware (U&D) Railroad corridor to a multi-use trail with pedestrian bridges. The funding will be used to promote...

hudsonvalleypress.com

 

[Stevemc]

Hey @Stevemc, as an outside occasional visitor, this connection seems obvious to me as well. So the question for @Cork or any other local, is this something that the people in town even want? Of course, there will always be naysayers, and then there’s also the question of who’s going to pay for it, but if it was of no cost to the locals, I’m wondering what the majority feels about it.

The question of connectivity is also happening at Belleayre. The Shandaken Rail Trail Project has been proposed on the old rail line from Big Indian to Highmount. This would not only connect the town of Pine Hill to Belleayre, but also Belleayre Beach, the proposed mountain biking trails, the existing cross country ski trails, and downhill ski center all of which is run by ORDA.

On my last visit, which was a bike trip through Pine Hill, I was surprised to hear much dissent about the project. I believe, perhaps the majority are in favor, but during the last meeting, the people that are not in favor were the most vocal.

The nearly $4 million project has been secured through a grant for the county and yet the peeps don’t want it. Why can’t we have nice things?

Shandaken Rail Trail Project

Shandaken Rail Trail ProjectIn 2021, the Ulster County Transportation Council completed the Ulster and Delaware Corridor Revitalization Study with extensive public input and made recommendations for a multi-phase trail project in Shandaken.The first phase of this trail project will convert an...

participate.ulstercountyny.gov

Nearly $4 M For Improved Trail Shandaken Access - Hudson Valley Press

SHANDAKEN – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan announced Friday that Ulster County has received $3.96 million from New York State to convert 2.5 miles of the Ulster & Delaware (U&D) Railroad corridor to a multi-use trail with pedestrian bridges. The funding will be used to promote...

hudsonvalleypress.com

Yeah. Good point. Im
Not a full timer either, so my opinion counts less for sure. but as a resident of a beach town with a large part time population in the summer I can appreciate the dissent of the full timers. I did come to nc area because I like what it is not trying to change it. That said - it has some untapped potential with the right investments. Speaking of potential - outdoor tables at the spider in the summer down on the back grass . All the rail bikers would immediately see that and go there! Would probably alap benefit the glass
Blowing place. Again the spider is great as it is- just looking at ways to improve their bottom line!

 

[TheGreatAbyss]

There would have to be a large parking lot or garage to support people parking in NC and taking the lift to access the mountain

 

[Ripitz]

I did come to nc area because I like what it is not trying to change it. That said - it has some untapped potential with the right investments.