I first met Stuart of The Storm back in 2020 on an off-the-hook powder day at McCauley. We got to talking about all the great small ski areas in New York. He told me “NYSkiBlog has more Hickory content than anyone else on the web.” At the time, I wondered if we’d ever publish an on-snow piece about Hickory again.
An enormous amount of work has gone into getting the hill open. Led by Hickory founder Hans Winbauer’s daughter, Sue Catana, the hill has navigated operational, inspection and insurance challenges. With significant help from the Indy Pass and Unofficial Networks, Hickory announced they’d spin lifts on Saturday, for the first time since 2015.
I knew I couldn’t miss it. I remember every single day I’ve spent at Hickory, both summer and winter. There is something about the hill, the lodge, and the lifts that inspire me. As a writer, I’m embarrassed to say I can’t describe it; it feels like a cop-out to call it a religious experience. I walked up the hill from the parking lot, and my heart sped up, as it always does, when I come to ski in Warrensburg NY.
I wasn’t the first to arrive. Sue was at the desk dealing with the details of lift tickets, Indy Passes and all the rest. A couple, who I was later to learn were filmmakers Ian and Anna, were getting their gear ready. I introduced myself, and they started asking me about the hill. They’d heard about Hickory via the press surrounding the Indy deal and decided to make a documentary. To me, they looked like pros, an impression that turned out to be accurate.
Jason Black walked in and gave me a warm greeting. “Harvey! Good to see you. I’m skiing with you all day.” By this point I was dressed, so I did what I always do, I went outside to wait. I was first at Poma one. In a few minutes, Jason joined me.
I took a peek inside the lift shack. I knew there was an old motor in there, a Ford straight six from the 40s or 50s. You hear stuff about old surface lifts and how they were largely homemade, but when I came face-to-face with it, it was still a surprise. There it was with its original radiator, distributor, drive shaft, differential and right-rear wheel driving the lift mechanism. Written on the block in indelible ink was a mechanic’s phone number. For a machine that old, it ran surprisingly quiet.
Mike on patrol graciously let me go first, the first rider up Poma 1 in 2024. I dropped the disc between my legs and hung on tight as Doug the liftie pulled the chain. Whomp! I went airborne and stuck the landing. This was actually my second time getting first tracks on a Hickory Poma.
Riding an old school Poma is work; breaking trail takes it up another notch. Below mid-station, the track had been munched up by a snowmobile. As I came to mid, the tracks ended. I wondered if I was supposed to get off at that point. I remembered Sue’s words from an email the day before. “Poma 1 will be open to the top!” I wasn’t going to let the chance pass me by. Poma 1 gets steep in a hurry after that point, and I hung on for all I was worth.
Hickory is generally a pretty “boney” mountain, which is actually part of its charm. Boulders are strewn across the front side. One thing cool about it — on a trail like Top Notch you’ve got a built-in mogul field. The odds of true bumps ever developing from skier traffic on this hill is almost zero. If you can cover those boulders, you can launch.
Conventional wisdom says that when cover is thin at Hickory, ride Jack Rabbit down from the top of Poma 1. It’s got a reputation for being a bit smoother than Top Notch and many of the other trails. I scoped it out. Jack Rabbit had more pine trees poking through and Top Notch really looked like the choice.
Cover consisted of six inches of bulletproof base, covered by more than a foot of snow, that harbored a crusty layer. Like all those mountains y’all skied this weekend, surfaces that were skied-in were pretty easy to ski. Anything untracked ranged from dreamy to nearly impossible. With maybe 50 skiers on the hill for opening day, there was a lot of untracked.
We did several laps on Top Notch and it didn’t get old. All season I’ve had the best skiing on mellower terrain and wanted to ski everything off mid-station: Peabody, Honey Run and Beatnik. Because it was all untracked, it wasn’t easy, but I’m convinced it makes you a better skier.
Eventually, we connected with Ian and Anna of Magoo Productions. They were filming everything and we let them shoot us too. There’s an old saying, a tribute to one of the all-time great dancers from the 1930s: “Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.” The skiing version of that is for every incredible skier you see on film, there’s a guy with a camera skiing right with him, without poles, carrying a 50-pound camera. That’s Ian; he’s a great skier and I can’t wait to see his work.
In the morning, I never thought I would ski all day. After the first run I was exhausted, if you’d have asked me then how long I would last, I would have said five runs tops. Somehow, we made it to noon, and we took a short break. I’ve been in similar situations in the past, and I’ve found that the leg burn from skiing doesn’t really compromise my ability to skin uphill.
I lobbied for a partner to skin and ski Ridge Run. “Let’s ride Poma 1 to the top, ski over on Jack Rabbit to Ridge Run and then skin up from there.” Only Jonathan really entertained the idea. Jason convinced us to ski two or three more runs off the lift, and then Jonathan and I set out for Ridge Run. He’s clearly fit, and half my age, so I tried to manage his expectations about my ability to work against gravity. “All good, I’m just out for a hike.”
Ridge Run was steeper than I remembered. In maybe 45 minutes we were at the summit at the top of Poma 2. We climbed up the unloading ramp, and looked down. The antique lift towers, the untracked fall line skiing, the small pines poking up through the snow and not a soul in sight. We both knew that we were looking at something special. I’m getting a chill now writing this out.
Jonathan looks at me and says “I really don’t want to be that guy, but I think I’m going to ski Winfall.” I guess he meant that guy who gives you the choice to ski alone or to tackle something way beyond what you planned. I surprised myself with “I’m in.” It was some of the most difficult skiing I’ve ever done. Jonathan is a really strong skier and he agreed to lead. By tracking a route down, he made my run significantly easier, breaking any crust, and eliminating decisions about line choice.
I once heard it said that life is about making memories so that when your time comes you are ready. Hickory is magic, a memory machine.
I have had the opportunity to ski Hickory only twice in my 55+ years of skiing. Both of those moments in time are indelibly engraved into my ski psyche. Skiing Hickory lands in my top 5 ski experiences of all time, with the top of that list commanded by Heli-skiing in the Chilean Andes, it’s a solid list of ski experiences, trust me.
Reading this, I can only agree with every word. Hickory is truly a magic machine. And I agree, you can’t quite put your finger on it. It is part time machine, part terrain machine, and the rest is the people magic.
If anyone reading this has never skied Hickory, my recommendation is to literally drop everything you’re doing, pack your gear, and get that Poma disc between your legs as fast as you can. Experience the magic!
Always great writing and now I have to get over there. Thank you!
Harvey – Great article on Hickory Mountain! I enjoyed meeting you and Ian and the group during the lunch break. I skinned up Ridge before your trip up, but didn’t have the confidence to ski down unchecked. So I left my skins on my Voile AT setup and skied down the old track of a snow cat! What a fun day at a great mountain. Congratulations Sue, Tim, Doug and the others who made this possible. Rich du Moulin (father in law of Tim!)
An excellent piece — made me feel like I was there. Also this bit of sig-worthiness: “Anything untracked ranged from dreamy to impossible.”
Fantastik! Reading this made me want to be there!
Yesteryear lives! Thanks for the detail on the Poma 1 Ford Motor power plant. And follow up Poma launch! Conjures up great memories of uphill daffies and whoop-de-doos, lol
Thanks for posting another excellent article and photos of the one and only! Can’t wait..
Fantastic, need more than 50 folks and with yourself, Jay and family I knew almost ten percent of the crowd.
Great work earning those turns, too bad there wasn’t an extra patroller available to open P2.
Awesome report on a magical area!
I have been following Hickory at a distance since the Storm’s great podcast on the efforts to revive it. I may never go there (we live in the middle of the Maine / NH southern resorts) and I will never ski there (only groomed front face runs served by chairs for us) but I am glad to know such a place exists and to see it do well…
Hats off to Sue Catana for her hard work. My folks were share holders in the 70s and really enjoyed the atmosphere that the area provided. So glad to see it still running.
Chapeau to all who worked so hard to get Hickory up and running. Nice story, Harv.
Love this. Thank you for the great write up, Harvey. I’m excited for my chance to finally get some turns in at Hickory in a couple weeks, and hopeful that they have a successful reopening season!
Look at all those tele sticks! That guy in black sure knows how to ride. Perfect form, look at those hands and shoulders, and oh, is that a camera? I can’t wait for the movie.
I was at Whiteface for the weekend but Sunday morning was rough with the wind and all decent terrain on delay. I packed up early, grabbed a late breakfast at Adirondack Mountain Coffee and drove down to check out Hickory on my drive home. What a great little place! I hope now that they are open they can pick up some more business. Spread the word, beat the crowds, and support small mountains like Hickory!
I hope my first ever surface lift ride will be at Hickory. Place looks classic!
Reading this article makes me more grateful than ever that I learned to ski at Hickory in the late 70s as a small child. As I was growing up in the 80s, Mom would drop my siblings and me off for the day, and we would feel like we ruled the mountain! It is truly a magical place. Thanks for sharing the magic with this piece!
Great report and invitation to check out Hickory. I’ve been eyeballing it for years, and never made it there. After reading this report, I have to figure out how to make that happen. Great job Harvey describing, it would sure be an unforgettable experience.
✨ Embracing a Winter Wonderland at Hickory Hill, Warrensburg, NY! ️ After a hiatus since 2015, this iconic ski haven has risen from the snowy depths, and its revival is nothing short of magical. ️ Let me take you on a journey down memory lane and share why Hickory Hill holds a special place in my heart.
Founded in the 1940s by courageous WW2 veterans, Hickory Hill was born from a dream—a dream to create a space where families could come together and share the joy of skiing. My parents were among the original members, paving the way for a legacy that continues to unfold.
Imagine me, a tiny adventurer at the age of 2, wobbling on skis for the first time at Hickory Hill. Those early days marked the beginning of a love affair with the slopes, and the memories forged there are the cornerstone of my skiing journey. The laughter, the thrill, and the sheer joy of gliding down those slopes have become an integral part of who I am.
Fast forward to today, and the legacy lives on through my daughter, Lyndsay Strange, who proudly wears the hat of a US Ski Team coach. Her journey, rooted in the passion sparked at Hickory Hill, is a testament to the enduring spirit of this special place.
The reopening of Hickory Hill is not just a return to the slopes; it’s a resurrection of history, a celebration of community, and a nod to the indomitable spirit of those who envisioned it. The thrill of carving through fresh powder, the crisp mountain air—it’s an experience that transcends time.
As we carve fresh tracks on these hallowed hills once again, let’s join hands in hoping and praying for Hickory Hill’s continued success. The dream of those WW2 veterans, the memories of my childhood, and the aspirations of my daughter—all intertwined on these slopes.
A heartfelt thank you to Sue Catana for her unwavering dedication in breathing life back into Hickory Hill. The countless hours, the passion, and the love poured into this revival deserve our heartfelt kudos.
May Hickory Hill continue to stand tall, welcoming new generations to forge their own memories in the snow. Here’s to the past, present, and future of this extraordinary ski sanctuary! ❄️ #HickoryHillMagic #SkiingLegacy #SnowyRevival #SkiingCommunityLove
Really great article; thank you. I live in Pennsylvania and had heard about Hickory a few years back in a piece talking about a ski area that had closed. I am really happy to see the owners and with help from Indy (Entabeni) they’re back. I now have a new destination on my list for this season. Can’t wait to ride that POMA!
Great to see that fire burning again. Well done, Harvey.
It was a pleasure to ski with you, Harvey! Magic is right!
Bell-to-bell is not usually in the cards for me. But the stoke was definitely high.
And you skinned a lap to the top AND helped with sweep! Animal!
What a great day.
If these comments were auditions for NYSkiBlog writer, a couple of you would be hired. I’m looking at you @Michael and @Kelly.
@Ciscokid, I believe Poma 2 is still waiting on approval from NY. I’m told it is expected soon.
Harvey, just came up for air and had a chance to read your article. You have honored us by sharing your experience. Pulitzer worthy.
Thank you… You are hereby dubbed a knight of the round fireplace.
Sue
Labor of love.
Harvey, Yes I concur with Sue Catana’s statement: “You are hereby dubbed a knight of the round fireplace!”
Amazing article, Harvey. My family and I all learned how to ski at Hickory back in mid 1980s. We all had shares of stock (which would now look great hanging on the wall of the lodge) and we worked off the cost of our season passes by bushwacking the slopes each fall. Imagine at 14 using a massive week wacker on Top Notch cutting weeds around boulders that were taller than me. I could never imagine enough snow falling to cover the boulders so you could ski this. Some seasons it actually happened and it was magical. I spent my winters skiing at Hickory almost every weekend and became one of the youngest instructors they ever hired (I think my younger sister beat me out for the title.) After a few years, my family relocated to New Mexico. You can imagine the experience you gain riding a poma lift all day, skiing on ice around boulders all winter, and then going to New Mexico where they have chair lifts and the powder is lighter than air. It was beautiful, but lacking the magic that was Hickory. I still hope to make it back to ski Hickory again one day.
I got on the Hickory ski patrol about 1964, when I was in high school, and was very regular until part way through college. The Hill was where I REALLY learned to ski, of course, but equally valuable for an adolescent was working with and being part of the wonderful group of adults who came every weekend to operate the lifts, run the lodge, give lessons, and patrol. I can still name names.
These days I winter in southwest Montana, Bozeman. There, I’m part of a group of a dozen westerners who annually spend a week at a backcountry heli access lodge in British Coulumbia. Deep snow, steep runs, was once asked “Where did an easterner learn to ski like that?”
Saturday 1/27 was a really tough day, conditions-wise (three to four inches of thick cement), but what an experience! Nine runs off of Poma 1, the second and third runs from the top. One run off the T-bar. Initially terrified of what I got myself into, I learned and adapted (and sweated a ton) by leaning way back to get the ski tips out of the snow and dragging a pole through snow-plow-like turns (the snow was too deep for any kind of hop turns). Of course the poma kicked you in the thighs upon launch (a very accurate description), but if you hung on, it was a great ride.
So happy I went to check out this old-time, old-school mountain, and I will be back when conditions are better.
In the heart of winter’s embrace,
At Hickory Hill, a leader in grace.
Sue Catana, our fearless guide,
Three years strong, in passion she abides.
Upon the slopes, where snowflakes dance,
She weaves a tale of resilience and chance.
With love and vigor, she takes the lead,
A legacy cherished, a mountain’s creed.
Through biting winds and snow-kissed pines,
Sue’s dedication brightly shines.
No complaints, just unwavering might,
She breathes life into the coldest night.
In ’46, her parents dreamed,
A mountain haven, where joy is redeemed.
Now, Sue carries the torch with pride,
A guardian on Hickory’s snowy ride.
With every mogul and powdery crest,
She nurtures the hill, where memories nest.
A steward of time, a guardian’s heir,
Our fearless leader, with passion to spare.
On slopes where family histories intertwine,
Sue Catana, a beacon, a valiant sign.
In the Hickory Hill resurgence, she steers,
A captain of joy, dissolving all fears
That picture down Winfall does it for me. I want that.
Anyone been there in the last two weeks? Figuring with upcoming weather this will be probably be their last weekend so I am heading there tomorrow. Not expecting much in conditions. Just going to support Hickory.