Late Fall Wrap

Greetings Friends of Oak Hill

We're getting ready for the first snowfall at Oak Hill and are wrapping up a few pre-season projects.  Short extensions of snowmaking pipe have been installed to improve coverage on several areas of the trails.  A new set of stairs is almost complete that will make it easier for folks to hike up to the stadium from the Welcome Center.  We are working on improvements to the Lodge, including installation of an improved wi-fi service.  Perhaps most noticeable, we are planning to remove a number of trees that are shading (and potentially threatening) our solar systems on the roofs of the new Groomer Building and Lodge.  Shading is reducing output on those systems by more than 30% and the problem increases as the angle of the sun increases in the winter.  We are sorry to lose a few of the trees in particular, but we want to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the new solar equipment.  We want to make sure you understand the rationale for the cutting.

Other preparations for the season are well in hand.  The team managed a successful "ski lease" night in mid-October for distribution of skis to those who leased them for the season.  If you have not yet received your skis (there are a few yet to arrive), please stay in touch with Korry and Mike.  The team successfully tested the snowmaking pumps and compressors last week and all are ready for the season.  Next week, snowmaking volunteers will gather for a refresher safety course.

Also, The Ford Sayre Masters Club is very happy to introduce a new coach for the 2025/2026 season, Akeo Maifeld-Carucci.  Akeo skied at Harvard, then as a pro-racer for 7 years at Bridger Ski Foundation in Bozeman, Montana, Bend Endurance Academy in Bend, Oregon and the Green Racing Project in Craftsbury, Vermont. Akeo coached the Master’s group at Craftsbury during the COVID winter. Akeo won the American Birkenbienner in 2019, North America’s largest and most well-known ski race.   Sign-ups are still available for the Ford Sayre Masters Club Winter add-on training, now under Akeo.

Look for another newsletter in the coming weeks with information about how to use our digital passes in your phone wallet and how the check-in and pass scanning process is going to work this year.

Winter is Coming,

Your Oak Hill Team