Hickory’s 2023-24 Ski Season (77 years from inaugural season)
We are at a crossroads. We have our lift inspections scheduled, sticks are on, the lodge is ready, the slopes are (almost) ready. What we are missing is liability insurance required for state certification of our lifts for operation.
Historically we have raised funds to cover insurance and other operating costs through the sale of season passes. We have been hesitant to do that given the challenges we faced with lift certification. We no longer have a choice. Our timeline is short. We have until December 15th to raise sufficient funds to cover our full insurance premium payment of $38,000. Yes, it is outrageous, and we have explored all options over the last 2 years to lower this amount, with no success. We anticipate that this premium will be reduced in subsequent years because the cost reflects our lapse in insurance coverage, placing us in a high-risk category, and that we would be offered quarterly or monthly premium payment options.
We have been able to cover off-season operational expenses with events, the café, and access fees for hiking and skinning, and with financing from Bill Van Pelt and the Hickory Legacy Foundation. In addition, the Foundation has installed lighting for night skiing and the new disc golf course which will open in the spring. We appreciate all the support that has come from our extended Hickory Family, local businesses, and those organizations that have provided grant funding.
The Foundation continues to seek grant funding opportunities, events are being planned, we are collaborating with new partners, and without season pass sales now, we do not have the funds to pay the insurance premium.
We are now asking our Hickory skiing family to do their part in supporting our efforts to re-open the mountain for skiing with lifts operating by purchasing season passes.
We are finishing up the purchasing platform on our website skihickory.com. We will have individual passes for upper and lower mountain skiing, couples discount, family packages, and bundled as well as single day tickets available. We will publish pass prices when we go live for pass purchases, anticipated on December 1st.
If the lifts don’t spin, we will refund season pass payments in full. Email: hickorysc2@gmail for questions. SKI THE LEGEND, The Hickory Team.
Anticipated Operating Schedule (Weather Dependent)
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 2PM -8PM
Saturday : 9AM – 8PM
Sunday : 9AM – 4PM
Sample PRICING Until December 15th
Upper / All Mountain Season Passes - Adult $500
Lower Mountain Season Passes - Adult $300
Lower Mountain Season Passes - Under 18 $100