All 4 of our lifts are in prime operating condition and all specifications for safety have been met, including new signage, extensive clearing of lift-lines, rewiring of safety circuits, and completed engineering and insurance inspections. For the last 2 years we have been engaged with the help of Upstate Agency, with multiple insurance companies, both special policy purveyors for the ski area industry and special products companies. We have generated some leads, some interested carriers, and have a quote on the table. Because of the 2-year lapse in coverage, the premium cost of a policy is daunting. We are in the process of considering options and attempting to negotiate a more reasonable coverage premium. We anticipate that if we gain coverage in the near future, for a calendar year, we will be able to open for some skiing days this season and the 23-24 season as soon as snow conditions allow.
For all our die-hard Hickory fans, we know your frustration, and for new Hickory friends, we share your anticipation of skiing The Legend. In the. meantime, the corn snow is fantastic.
We have had a healthy turnout for skinning, sledding and snowshoeing enthusiasts and are looking forward to a continuing relationship with the Thurman Connection Snowmobile Club and our tie in with regional snowmobile network of trails.
We have completed a remake of the old ski patrol building into a warming hut, the 3 Sisters Café’ will be re-opening as mountain use increases. We will be introducing “wagon“ skiing and “top o’ the mountain” tours, more snowmobile and ATV touring as we train up our staff as guides and Mother Nature gives us a spring dump or two.
We are enduringly grateful to Bill Van Pelt, IV, majority stockholder of Ski Hickory Hill, Inc. for his financial support in prior years and his continuing support through this re-generation process. He has funded all the infrastructure upgrades, provided payroll for our two full-time employees and numerous part-time workers. The Hickory Legacy Foundation is providing financial support in furthering their healthy living, ecological, historic preservation and education mission. Their purchase of lighting for the lower mountain and remodel of the lodge upstairs will enable us to open for skiing 5+ days and evenings a week which is critical in creating a financially viable ski season and viability for year- round operation.
If you love Hickory, you know we can’t give up. We hope you hang in there with us, and if you have a business idea you would like to try out at Hickory, let us know.