By Karen D. Lorentz
updated
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 03:07 PM
Vermont's third oldest ski area and one of the first thirty in
North America, Pico is a mountain where a sense of community and
the joy of snow sports prevail. Since its Nov. 27, 1937 debut,
skiers of all ages have found Pico to be a fun and challenging
mountain, one imbued with a sense of family commitment to skiing
"as a way of life."
Pico's founders and owners led the mountain in this direction with
the result that throughout Pico's long history, volunteers got
together and enjoyed pursuing their common passion as they
patrolled the slopes, assisted injured skiers, taught kids to ski
and race, and cheered them on every step of the way.
It was that participatory spirit that led to the founding of the
Otter Ski Patrol, the nation's oldest and longest continuing
volunteer ski patrol still at Pico today!
The Ski Club and Ski Patrol engendered a mountain rapport and
camaraderie that filtered through to all Pico programs, from ski
school to special events, earning the area the moniker of "the
friendly mountain" as well as a large, loyal following of locals
and visitors alike.
Over the years, Pico grew, adding higher capacity triple and quad
chairlifts, snowmaking, and a resort village. What differentiated
the area is that as it grew, Pico retained its special character by
remaining mid-sized and keeping many of its classic mountain traits
like New England styled trails, including the Outpost area. Most
importantly, its owners and loyal skiers remained committed to the
mountain so while the U.S. saw its 1,000 plus ski areas decline to
around 400 today, Pico is stands strong now in its 75th season!
Unique updated classic
So what does this mid-sized mountain have that keeps locals fervent
and out-of-states coming back, and more people discovering it every
year?
If you said big mountain skiing with a diversity of terrain, 1,967
feet of vertical, a base lodge with a working fireplace, and a
truly friendly ambiance, you're on the right track.
Pico is calm, cool and collected. It has a cozy charm to it and a
relaxed feel. It's conveniently located along a highway, yet offers
out-of-this-world views from the trails and summit. Bottom line, it
is a comfortable place that offers "something for everyone."
That includes first timers - people who somehow missed its long
existence or are just getting into skiing/riding. A New Hampshire
mom I met on the chair enthused over her family's having just
"discovered this wonderful mountain! We never knew about it." But
word of the instructional programs had reached them and after
checking out rates online, they decided "to give Pico a try. We are
so glad we did," she added.
Many say they have Pico season passes because "they're such a deal"
and come with their ski club on the weekends. Lucky skiers are able
to ski midweek, too.
The community-oriented resort hosts many events like Scout Weekends
and fundraisers like Hope on the Slopes, and sponsors an Academic
Excellence Program. The latter offers complimentary season passes
[$39 processing fee] to all Vermont students who earn good grades.
An 8-week Sunday Junior Recreational Program teaches 500-700
students a year, said Tracy Taylor, director of operations at Pico
Mountain Resort.
With its full range of services, affordable prices, and five-day
operating schedule (Thursdays through Mondays), Taylor sees Pico as
a mountain that can be "one of the best value resorts in New
England" and one that appeals to learners as well as racers.
The season pass prices ($319 for an adult early-bird purchased
2011-12 pass) make Pico affordable for most people, and sales have
quintupled, Taylor noted.
While extolling Pico's diverse terrain, vertical, lift system,
dedicated Bonanza Beginner area, and amenities like the Sports
Center and Last Run Lounge, Taylor notes that "Pico's bones are
very good" but more enhancements are planned.
That includes adding more beginner level terrain parks for those
who would like to try park elements as well as offering a Digital
Media Center where kids could take their GoPro cameras, download
them onto Macs, and edit their own videos.
Also this year, three new glades opened (Exhibition Woods, Sunset
Woods, and Poma Woods); a nicely refurbished Sunshine Room (for
brown baggers) plus a new room for bus groups on the first floor of
the base lodge.
Perhaps most exciting for hungry athletes is the new Summit Dogs
hut on skis that debuts Jan. 28 at the base of the Summit Express
Quad. The snack bar offers hot dogs, chili, chips, and beverages
with Adirondack chairs for enjoying a convenient break.
Next year Pico plans to operate its own daycare program with ski
lesson optional. The former operator withdrew in December, and
there wasn't time to get daycare services in place for this
season.
Racing programs garner increased support
A competitive spirit has been alive at Pico since the beginning
when the Mountain led early support for Alpine competitions,
promoting racing in Vermont and nationally.
The Otter Ski Club (now the Pico Ski Club) was founded in 1938 as
"a working club" to foster fun and fellowship and to promote
skiing. The Club held races for members and facilitated a large
Junior Program. The Pico race program was a true success, sending
several skiers to the Olympics, including Andrea Mead Lawrence, the
first American to win two Gold Medals in one winter Olympics.
Taylor noted Pico's history as a mountain that attracted top racers
and said Pico is renewing efforts to reach that segment of the
market once again.
One of the steps in that direction was to hire a person to work
with the Ski Club, which runs races for Pico as well as its own
races. The purchase of another timing system makes it possible to
host more races at the same time, Taylor said.
Plans are to make Forty Niner available for speed training on low
volume days and to generally attract more racers and racing events
to the area, Taylor added.
Ski clubs and councils are being actively courted and as of
mid-January, 12 colleges had trained and/or held races at Pico. It
helps the mountain to sell more lift tickets and helps the PSC at
the same time as they earn a fee for running races, Taylor
explained.
"Our core focus is 'big mountain skiing and riding, small mountain
charm;' however, I feel strongly that we need to keep the racing
heritage, that has been aligned with Pico since its inception,
inculcated in its branding and strongly associated with our
continued growth," Taylor said of Pico's collaborative efforts with
the Ski Club.
To further support racing program, Pico donated land (between the
administration/ski shop building and the Ski Club's building) for a
new Peak Lodge. The Pico Ski Education Foundation (PSEF), the
fundraising arm for the Ski Club, and Vermont Adaptive Ski and
Sports (VASS), which makes it possible for people with disabilities
to ski or ride, will share the two-story building. VASS will occupy
the first floor and PSEF the second. (Construction depends on
fundraising, Taylor noted.)
By extending the mountain's welcome to those with disabilities, the
Vermont Adaptive program provides "a wonderful service and is a
huge asset to Pico," noted Taylor.
Symbiotic partnerships
Taylor will mark 25 years in the ski industry this April, having
spent 23 years at Killington and two at Pico. He is excited about
efforts to enhance the racing program and enjoys adding the touches
that make Pico "an updated classic." Additionally, he noted that
having Killington in the family, rather than as a competitor, means
there is considerable expertise to draw on, grooming and
snowmaking, for example. Shared amenities are also an asset to both
mountains, thing like daycare, the tubing park, the Junior
Recreational and AEP programs benefit guest to both
mountains.
The symbiotic relationship contributes to Pico's success, as does
the partnership with the Ski Club and VASS, Taylor noted. All this,
plus the guest loyalty and the mountain's good value make Pico
Mountain Resort a success story for the ages.
