My first time riding Oak Mountain was five years ago. I had just started writing for NYSkiBlog and was starting to go off the beaten path. In the years before that time, I drove past the hill on my way to Gore. Now it’s my mission to get to Oak at least a twice each season.
The family-owned resort offers some surprisingly good terrain, a real vibe and no lift lines. Weather delayed their opening to this past Friday. Seeing an opportunity to rack another opening day in 2023, I drove to Speculator early Friday morning.
At the ticket booth I was greeted by Laura O’Brien, half of the husband-and-wife team that runs Oak.
She had already printed off a few hundred season passes that morning and figured she had another 300 to go. She paused to print me a day lift ticket, ticket #1 of the 2023 season, their 75th year in operation. The ticket even had a retro design to celebrate the anniversary. Now that’s a souvenir.
In no rush at all, I made my way to the main chair; I had the place to myself. It was above freezing at the base, but up top conditions were still firm. A layer of cloud inversion hovered over the mountain and across Lake Pleasant. The view from Oak is one of my favorites and I always make time to take it in. I strapped in and tested the conditions cruising down to the bottom. Yap, still out of shape.
At the lift I was faced with a choice. A lone skier was in front me, off to the side, clearly an invitation for me to join him. Not to sound like an old man, but the art-of-the-chairlift is lost on most people. They’re too involved in their phones or themselves to socialize.
Some of my best ski stories revolve around the random people I have met on lifts. I subscribe to the belief that the chair ride is best shared with family, friends and sometimes strangers. I accepted the invitation and joined the skier.
Ted was a passholder and retiree from Rome who was there to get a few laps in on opening day. We rode together for 6 or 7 laps talking about other ski resorts, the blog, education, travel, work and life in general. It was some of the most enjoyable chair lift banter I’ve had.
By our 3rd trip up, the sun was out and the snow was soft. I asked if I could snag some photos and he obliged. I gleaned from our conversation that Ted was over 70, but you couldn’t tell based on his skiing. He let me know I reminded him of his younger days in Aspen hunting powder off to the sides of the trail. After 11, Ted departed for his other engagements and I headed to the Acorn for lunch. The Acorn always satisfies.
After lunch the hill was getting busy. A group of kids was getting their first time lessons on the bunny hill as parents watched and there were more than a few skiers doing laps on the main chair. At the lift Matt O’Brien greeted people as they skied by. It’s clear by his greetings, that Oak skiers are like family to him.
We discussed the weather challenges and Oak’s delayed opening. Despite the inclement weather approaching, Matt felt good about the snowmaking progress so far and he was confident they’ll weather the storm. Most importantly he was excited for Oak’s 75th year of operation and the birthday celebration that will be happening on the weekend of January 27th. I thanked Matt for his time and headed back upr for a few more runs.
Every time I ride this hill, I come away with the same message: Oak is like family. The O’Briens stress it and it shows. Pass sales to generations of families are the primary product. I love to ski off the beaten path and ride the chairlift with strangers. Cheers to Oak Mountain, and here’s to another 75 years.
Right back atcha, Robert — “some of the most enjoyable chair lift banter I’VE had!” My only complaint, it made the morning go by TOO quickly! lol
Smart, engaging, terrific skiers / shredders are as delightful as perfect conditions, and I SO enjoyed our time together! An accurate, excellent article, btw!
Nice write up on Oak!
Oak is great and should be on anyone’s list looking for a true indy mountain.
If they have any snow, I may hit them this week.
Nice write-up. And I agree with you about talking with others rather than staring at yer phone.
I can vouch for Fridays being my favorite day since there’s usually some fresh left on some of the groomed runs, with fewer skiers than weekends. Plus, the clam chowder and seafood stew at the Acorn Pub are to die for (after 4 pm)!
Wow, you’re killing it Robert – makes me feel lazy for only having one day in. I agree about chairlift conversation. I’ve met lots of interesting people that way.
My parents, long passed, tell me I skied at “Speculator” from age 4 to maybe 8, I need to dig out some pictures. We had an unheated camp at Jenny Lake and a Studebaker wagon.
I plan to get back there this season- has it changed any? 🙂
You’re likely to find it much more the way it was when you were a boy, which becomes charmingly reassuring to us ‘mature’ skiers, particularly given the big, expensive operations. There’s real charm and community at Oak!
Yea Robert – I met both my husbands skiing before headphones. Keep up the good reviews of NY skiing even though I ski Tahoe now.
Your mountain adventure insights are inspiring!
Oak is the best! I skied it as a kid, old t-bar and all. Had wonderful days there in 2011 and 2012 with my own kids; skied every trail. Have been back the past few years many times to visit with the O’Briens and sample the goods. Mountain biking in the summer is also terrific, as they keep adding to their terrain each year. And, the Acorn is one terrific restaurant!
A ski area like a ski area should be: friendly, accessible, affordable, great snow, fun terrain