Hitchcock: The future of the mountain

By John HitchcockPrint Story | Email Story
Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts at 3,491 feet above sea level, and Mount Mansfield, Vermont's "counterpeak" at 4,393 feet, had similar starts in the then-young sport of Alpine skiing, back in the late 30s. The best racers in the United States and some of the best in the Alps would streak down the Thunderbolt Trail in Adams one weekend each winter and then would head for the Nose Dive in Stowe. At first the ski racers and spectators would have to climb up both trails, taking up to two hours, for one or two runs, dropping slightly more than 2,000 vertical feet. Then in 1940, the East's first chairlift was erected on Mount Mansfield by a group including Roland Palmedo, the founder of the Williams College ski team and organizer of its first winter carnival. They continued to climb the Thunderbolt but in fewer numbers, and by 1950 only the Williams Carnival skiers raced on Greylock. But Mount Mansfield continued to see more ski trails and more lifts and advertised itself as "the ski capital of the East." The tiny village of Stowe added ski lodges, hotels and restaurants and attracted the singing Trapp Family. But other mountains in Vermont sprouted ski trails and lifts, from Mount Snow just north of the Massachusetts border to Jay Peak, almost in Canada. Mount Greylock saw only a handful of skiers, both downhill and cross-country, and the outsiders stayed in Williamstown or Pittsfield. It was long proposed that a ski lift be built on Greylock's eastern slope above Adams, and by 1960 the Mount Greylock Tramway Authority had been created by the state Legislature. For more than 50 years, environmentalists stymied all efforts, yet hopes for a tramway still persist. In the meantime, the various industries in Adams have closed down and only a few remain, some discharging tons of chemicals each year into the atmosphere or the Hoosac River flowing through the town. The early tramway authority was abolished long ago, but the Adams Citizens for Tramway Access, formed by Paula Oparowski, continue to push forward. But the financial crisis in the commonwealth and in Adams is so bleak that Oparowski's group is now seeking support from private sources. The state Department of Environmental Management has control over the 13,000-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation, but state funds for improving the access roads to the summit from North Adams and Lanesboro are currently in jeopardy. A total of $12 million had been allocated by the state for the work. Meanwhile the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency is currently pondering three different proposals for the 1,062-acre Greylock Glen tract, which is on the eastern edge of the reservation. Three different developers have attempted to build resorts there, and all have given up. So how has Mount Mansfield fared throughout the years? Very well, and only last week plans were announced for a $200-million, 10-year expansion. The project will include 400 housing units, an 80-room hotel, a new base lodge, six new lifts, increased snowmaking and two reservoirs. An 18-hole golf course is also on the drawing board, and it would complement the existing Stowe Country Club, also owned by the Mount Mansfield Co. The state of Vermont has issued a land-use permit for the project, but it will be reviewed by the Conservation Law Foundation, one of several agencies working on the plans. It took several years before the plans were completed and accepted, and numerous compromises were needed before the deal was done, including the setting aside of 2,000 acres for bear habitats. Affordable housing and employee housing provisions were also included. The size of the golf course also came under review and met environmental provisions. Back in 1973, early Greylock Glen developer Alan Canter, of Holyoke, built an 18-hole course, which operated a few years before the resort was shut down through bankruptcy proceedings. Efforts to build another course on the glen site have consistently been rebuked, and it is unlikely that golf will ever be played there. Perhaps present Greylock-aspiring developers should visit Stowe and see how Mount Mansfield has progressed. The golf boom has lost some of its pressure, although there is still talk of a municipal course in the town of Lee. Meanwhile, all Berkshire and Vermont courses are enjoying perfect conditions, after a long cold and wet spring. July and August are the critical months for New England golf and the Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie publicity has seen a surge in golf instruction programs. Junior lessons started this week at Taconic Golf Club (458-3997); Baker's Golf Center (441-9643) and Berkshire Hills Country Club (442-1451). Waubeeka Golf Links (458-8355) will begin a series July 15, 22 and 29 and Aug. 5 and 12. Sessions for kids 9 through 12 will be from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with kids 13 through 15 set for 10:15 a.m. through 11:15 a.m. Call your favorite club for its junior schedule. After years without a North Berkshire driving range, there are now two: The Range on Curran Highway in North Adams and Sully's Driving Range at 98 Main Road in Stamford, Vt. Junior tennis camps are in operation at Williams College and Simon's Rock College, but old-timers will rule on the five clay courts at Williams on Friday through Sunday for the annual Chaffee/Hart Memorial Tournament. Men's play starts at 60, with five-year categories through 75. Women's play begins at 45. John Hitchcock, of Williamstown, writes frequently about the area sports scene.
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Lanesborough Fifth-Graders Win Snowplow Name Contest

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — One of the snowplows for Highway District 1 has a new name: "The Blizzard Boss."
 
The name comes from teacher Gina Wagner's fifth-grade class at Lanesborough Elementary School. 
 
The state Department of Transportation announced the winners of the fourth annual "Name A Snowplow" contest on Monday. 
 
The department received entries from public elementary and middle school classrooms across the commonwealth to name the 12 MassDOT snowplows that will be in service during the 2025/2026 winter season. 
 
The purpose of the contest is to celebrate the snow and ice season and to recognize the hard work and dedication shown by public works employees and contractors during winter operations. 
 
"Thank you to all of the students who participated. Your creativity allows us to highlight to all, the importance of the work performed by our workforce," said  interim MassDOT Secretary Phil Eng.  
 
"Our workforce takes pride as they clear snow and ice, keeping our roads safe during adverse weather events for all that need to travel. ?To our contest winners and participants, know that you have added some fun to the serious take of operating plows. ?I'm proud of the skill and dedication from our crews and thank the public of the shared responsibility to slow down, give plows space and put safety first every time there is a winter weather event."
 
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